Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: U225 Steering Wheel Play (Read 681 times) previous topic - next topic

U225 Steering Wheel Play

Most of us who drove trucks in the 1960s have learned to deal with a little steering wheel play... or sometimes (especially with farm trucks) a LOT of steering wheel play. My wife, however, has been spoiled by being a school bus driver with a full time *excellent* mechanic and was complaining to me about what she considers excessive steering wheel play. By this I mean, of course, a couple of degrees of "dead" zone in which movement of the steering wheel does not seem to affect the direction of the coach.

I've tried to teach her how to work one side of the "play" keeping pressure in the correct spot but she is having trouble grasping the concept. It seems to me that someone was mentioning that in the older coaches it was possible to dial out some of this in the steering box. I tried to find that thread but couldn't home in on it.

So my question: Is there a simple way to dial out a relatively small amount of steering wheel play in a '93 U225?

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #1 –
Hey Craig, mine has a little bit of play,but like me it's old. The big deal is if it doesn't wander down the road, goes where you point it, and don't eat the tires it's fine.
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: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #2 –
When at Foretravel for my alinement, Wayne explained on the older coaches their is no adjustment to the steering box to tighten up the play.  Their might be some worn parts that might be replaced on your coach.

As to the DW and suggestions.  Tell her to think of sailing with some weather helm, and she should never go to the far side of the play in the wheel movement, but just feel the pressure and relax just a little to let the coach steer.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #3 –
I have to say that the play doesn't bother me very much... I've driven farm trucks that you had to move the wheel more than 1/3 of a revolution to get on the other side of the "play". It just annoys my wife.  I don't expect a 20-year-old motor home to drive like a Porsche, after all.  :P

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #4 –
Well, you can either upgrade coaches, for lots of dollars, or maybe just offer to drive it yourself.  Then you could afford to get her a Porsche, and then she and you could be happy.  Was thinking about a Miata, after seeing one as a toad in Nacogdoches, for our next toad.  We miss the Supra, it was really fun to drive.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #5 –
Having changed steering gear boxes on the MCI, going with a internal power steering model that had all the adjustments including sector,  Makes me think about changing the box for a better box.  If there is a will, there is a way, have proven that correct many times.
Enjoy
Dave M

Re: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb –
Well, you can either upgrade coaches, for lots of dollars, or maybe just offer to drive it yourself.  Then you could afford to get her a Porsche, and then she and you could be happy.  Was thinking about a Miata, after seeing one as a toad in Nacogdoches, for our next toad.  We miss the Supra, it was really fun to drive.

I think the best idea is to teach her how to work with the play rather than fight it.

As far as a toad goes, one of the most underrated "fun" cars to drive is a VW Rabbit. I still have an '84 diesel Rabbit that I think might make a good toad. Those little cars were not fast but they were good on the curves. I can drop a brand new engine into it for under $3k and have a 50mpg toad that's paid for. And with no chipset to "rat me out" to the authorities, either. :D

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #7 –
You are correct, the Sheppard M100 box is an excellent one, but has no adjustment for play.  I suspect it is NOT wear, but the loose tolerance from Sheppard.

I give the Suspension seminar at FMCA Conventions, and work with several very knowledgeable guys, including Dick Lorentson (Precision Frame and Alignment), Robert Henderson (Henderson's Line-up) and Wayne Wells (chief designer for Roadmaster Suspension Solutions).

They all use a "blueprinter" to really bring Sheppard boxes into close tolerance.  In fact, have gone as far as buying a brand new Sheppard M100 and having it blueprinted so they will have one in stock.

They use: Red-Head Steering Gears, Seattle WA - Red-Head Steering Gears Home .

I have no first hand experience with them, but their reputation is excellent.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #8 –
I traded some emails with John Henderson at Henderson's Line-Up when we had our SOB. He responded quickly with good information. We followed several of his recommendations for improving handling. I was favorably impressed with his responsiveness, and the improvements resulting from following his recommendations.

In December, 2011, we installed a rebuilt Sheppard unit on the U295. I feel very little play in the unit. Under ideal driving conditions I can feel what I call the "touch points" on either side of the neutral position of the steering wheel. The movement of the steering wheel is minor to move from the right "touch point" to the left "touch point." I would guess that it is less than one inch. The entire steering system seems to have as little play as would be possible.

I think I would like to have a little bit more directional stability, or tendency to go straight. However, the coach is a big heavy box on wheels. There is much less "wiggle room" in a lane when your vehicle is 102" wide rather than the width of a car. When the bride can guide a nice home at 65 mph between two trucks, and nobody screams, handling must be pretty good.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #9 –
On a proper steering gear, there is ZERO slop in the gear at high  point (straight ahead).
Your car does not have free play (slop) in the steering, I just wonder why the Shepard M100 has built in slop ?  Sure strikes at poor design to me. What am I missing?
Proper maintained and adjusted steering gear will outlast three vehicles.
Dave M

Re: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #10 –
My '94 U225 has no steering slop at all!  Very very tight.  In fact having driven many of those old time rigs, I was very pleasantly surprised.  I so well remember a early 1970s Peterbilt with a 425 Cat, that was extremely well broken in pulling Michigan Trains,  with so much steering slop that I told the owner he could drive it, as I wanted no part of it.  Was very happy with his wore out DD318 powered Freightliner.
1994 U225
build #4514
 

Re: U225 Steering Wheel Play

Reply #11 –
PatC, I get a good chuckle from that one, I prefered an older Mack, FS700L w/318 13 od over the new KW with the Catg 425 hp, mainly due to the cat was 5k lbs heavier, 5th wheel was 5' higher, could not scale anything nor get on the Pennsy Pike with a 13'9" leading edge on trailer, sorta screwed, always ran very heavy as could not scale a normal load.  In the end it got me off the road, best thing that could have happened to me.
Dave M