Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033 (Read 435 times) previous topic - next topic

steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

I'm trying to tighten every aspect of my steering on the coach.

So far, rebuilt steering box, new tie rod ends, ball joints for drag links.

Got a part number from FT for the steering shaft u-joints (dana 915033) but nothing coming up when searching the part number he gave me.
Any thoughts?

Did a search on here and nothing comes up with that part number either.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #1 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
Any thoughts?

With you having IFS I doubt anybody has changed out those u joints yet (FOT included) as they have a verry low failure rate. That column could be different so the best thing is to take one out and go to some place like https://www.motion.com/ and put it up on the counter and tell them you need a couple of them. Now you ask, I think you are barking up the wrong tree, if you are having steering trouble it is most likely somewhere else.

 
Quote from: dlkj07 –
So far, rebuilt steering box, new tie rod ends, ball joints for drag links.
Any thoughts?

When you did all this did you pull the "A" frames and check the bushings and bolts?
What steering problems are you having?

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #2 –
Dylan, cant help with your steering issues, but if you ever get south of Las Vegas stop by and I'll let you drive our straight axle coach for comparison. Im happy with its steering.

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
With you having IFS I doubt anybody has changed out those u joints yet (FOT included) as they have a verry low failure rate. That column could be different so the best thing is to take one out and go to some place like https://www.motion.com/ and put it up on the counter and tell them you need a couple of them. Now you ask, I think you are barking up the wrong tree, if you are having steering trouble it is most likely somewhere else.

 
When you did all this did you pull the "A" frames and check the bushings and bolts?
What steering problems are you having?

Mike
Actually not having much steering problems since completing the work mentioned above. Everything appears fairly tight, though I have nothing to compare it to since this is my first motorhome. There's just a little bit of steering play and was hoping to snug it up if possible.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #4 –
I find that when a vehicle feels loose when driving I check the toe in.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #5 –
Quote from: oldguy –
I find that when a vehicle feels loose when driving I check the toe in.
Toe-in is good, have a good heavy duty alignment guy that I trust 👍
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #6 –
One of the other things that I did not replace is what appears to be "center link" ends (short little tie rod link inbetween the a-arms)...i'll attach some pictures as well as the exploded view of the IFS. This has some movement and might be the little bit of play i'm chasing??


Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #7 –
Quote from: dsd –
Dylan, cant help with your steering issues, but if you ever get south of Las Vegas stop by and I'll let you drive our straight axle coach for comparison. Im happy with its steering.
Definitely might take you up on that, it would be nice to get another perspective on how these drive. We are heading to Vegas in November for F1, maybe we can connect. We're staying at Lake Mead RV village.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
When you did all this did you pull the "A" frames and check the bushings and bolts?
What steering problems are you having?

Mike
I did not, so do you have to pull the A-arms completely off to check these?
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #9 –
I'm just going to ask the simple question, because it hasn't been asked yet: what PSI are you running your front tires at? Under 100psi on my 2001 was squishy and manifested itself as "loose steering".
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #10 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
Toe-in is good, have a good heavy duty alignment guy that I trust 👍

He most likely has it set to factory spec.  Many have found on the more common straight axle rigs that a bit extra added toe in makes a noticeably positive difference in directional stability.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Elliott –
I'm just going to ask the simple question, because it hasn't been asked yet: what PSI are you running your front tires at? Under 100psi on my 2001 was squishy and manifested itself as "loose steering".
I've been keeping mine at 100 psi...I'm not really getting a wandering feeling, it's more just that play you get before it engages the steering box. It might  be normal for all I know.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
He most likely has it set to factory spec.  Many have found on the more common straight axle rigs that a bit extra added toe in makes a noticeably positive difference in directional stability.
Here's the specs from my last alignment and also the original alignment specs from FT when it rolled off the showroom.

Just want to remind everyone...I'm not getting any pulling or much wandering, just want to snug up that last little bit of steering wheel play.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #13 –
JMHO, you may be chasing a problem the doesn't exist. Heavy suspension would ll always some "play", they just aren't sports cars.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #14 –
Quote from: bbeane –
JMHO, you may be chasing a problem the doesn't exist. Heavy suspension would ll always some "play", they just aren't sports cars.
True, maybe if I get a chance to drive Scott's then I'll have a better idea. Not sure if mine being IFS will make a difference when comparing but I would think not when it comes to play in the steering wheel.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #15 –
I'm had what looked like a fairly recently rebuilt steering box on mine and still had to turn the steering wheel a little either direction before it would "bite". I could take my hands off the wheel  at 70 and it would track straight down the road though.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #16 –
Quote from: bbeane –
JMHO, you may be chasing a problem the doesn't exist. Heavy suspension would ll always some "play", they just aren't sports cars.

I know we are taking about a different animal but my coach is like driving my pickup truck and my Tahoe. It is only bigger and shower. I do not have any play in the system. My coach does have two steering gear boxes, one for each tire.  So that my be why mine steers so good.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #17 –
Quote from: turbojack –
I know we are taking about a different animal but my coach is like driving my pickup truck and my Tahoe. It is only bigger and shower. I do not have any play in the system. My coach does have two steering gear boxes, one for each tire.  So that my be why mine steers so good.
Yeah, you have a different animal compared to our old clunkers 😁
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 
 

Re: steering gear u-joint dana # 915033

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Elliott –
I'm had what looked like a fairly recently rebuilt steering box on mine and still had to turn the steering wheel a little either direction before it would "bite". I could take my hands off the wheel  at 70 and it would track straight down the road though.
Thats pretty much what mine does so maybe I should just leave her alone 👍
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS