Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project) (Read 1017 times) previous topic - next topic

Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

If you can take it by the factory in Nacogdoches and have it aligned it will drive like new and no tire wear will occur.  I had this done and the coach drives great. Takes only couple hours or less and you can stay in Camp Foretravel for free.  Tks DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #1 –
I have read a lot of hocus pocus about the front end alignment done at Mecca. Our U280 handled great, but I wanted to see what this hocus pocus was all about, so when we were there last month I put alignment on our list. I noticed a significant difference in handling, and hoped it wasn't the placebo effect. The truth was affirmed when my DW was driving and stated that the coach she did not have to "move the steering wheel" as much. No placebo, no hocus pocus the alignment guy at Mecca knows what he is doing. Would not go anywhere else to have my U280 aligned.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #2 –
Now, can anyone share WHAT is different?  Caster? Toe? Ride Height? 

Suspect not camber, as that rarely goes out on solid front axle coaches (I know that is not what the OP has, but that is the direction the thread is going)?
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: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #3 –
I too thought my coach handled fine. I got the front end done about when Dave did since Wayne was full up last trip there. So I can say now after 10K miles it does drive better on all road surfaces.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #4 –
Interesting indeed.  We've got three experienced owners who took fine handling coaches in for an alignment and they now handle....finer?  Having a little trouble seeing the logic here, why not go ahead and have an engine overhaul done while you're at it?  ;D

I wonder how hi point is set on the power steering gear box, thought that was a non adjustable part?  Never a mention from either Wayne or the truck alignment shop on this.  Dis-assembly required?
"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: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
I wonder how hi point is set on the power steering gear box, thought that was a non adjustable part?  Never a mention from either Wayne or the truck alignment shop on this.  Dis-assembly required?
I don't think Wayne will disassemble the steering gear. We had a seal fail on the "business side" of the steering gear. Wayne sent it to Sheppard to be rebuilt.

Sheppard does have a lot of videos about the steering gear. Videos

We had an alignment done at FOT a couple of years ago. Prior to alignment, the coach would always go to the right if you let go of the wheel. After alignment, steering did not pull constantly to one side and all was easier. I still think it should be more "point and shoot." We constantly make small adjustments, even in ideal conditions. Based on our limited experience, the steering is great for a big box on big wheels, but I still want something better. I never feel like I can point the front at the right spot a quarter mile down the road like I can in my cars.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #6 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Now, can anyone share WHAT is different?  Caster? Toe? Ride Height? 

Suspect not camber, as that rarely goes out on solid front axle coaches (I know that is not what the OP has, but that is the direction the thread is going)?
                            Had Wayne at FOT align our's in March. He changed the caster and toe. The caster was way out of spec. What I noticed most afterward was that on long corners at speed or even off-on ramps I had no more "hitching" as I turned. Can just hold the wheel steady now and it turns smoothly.

                Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #7 –
Wayne does more than his magic on front end alignments. When we had our '89 in he not only did the alignment but also looked over the entire bottom of the coach for problems "as long as it was over the pit" he said. He pronounced the coach's condition as good as new! He also showed us where other things inside the coach were, such as how to change the flow of antifreeze from the water heater to the dash up front. We nearly froze on the way down that winter!! Great since.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
Interesting indeed.  We've got three experienced owners who took fine handling coaches in for an alignment and they now handle....finer?
Believe me I was skeptical when I added front end alignment to my list while at Mecca. When I purchased the coach a year earlier I had new tires put on and asked for a front end alignment. The alignment we checked and I was told it was fine. The coach handled very well. But in Mecca they checked and adjusted the toe, caster and ride height. I did not ask what it meant but it looks like they also aligned the rear drive. With all that adjustment you'd think it would have handled poorly, but it handled very well. And yes, now it handles better than very weller :P. Like I stated when I drove it after the alignment I thought perhaps I was experiencing a $385 "placebo" effect, my DW confirmed I was not.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Roland Begin –
Like I stated when I drove it after the alignment I thought perhaps I was experiencing a $385 "placebo" effect, my DW confirmed I was not.



That price seems to be very reasonable to be able to get the DW's confirmation. Most men usually add flowers, chocolate or diamonds :o
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #10 –
I agree that it can be better. Mine was adjusted at factory after I bought it an there was noticeable improvement. I think there is still too big of deadband going straight. Of course I also have the problem of getting out of a sporty car and into the RV.
Steve DeLange
2005 U320T 40'
Pearland, Texas

Re: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #11 –
Bob, nice post.  You're comment ("Somewhere in the system is an issue." ) has been in the back of my mind, and now that I'm reading this thread of alingment/steering issues rekindles thoughts.
I had been unhappy with what I thought... should be...better and easier steering control, on the coach I bought last year, a 2001 40' U320 with low miles, but/and,  no 'real' problem, just too much attention to keeping her straight.  I felt even after the alignment that I asked for..that too much attention was required to drive straight...  wandering might still be an issue.

FOT /wayne worked on it last fall and it did improve.  I was happier..........but kept to myself, that I thought it should be better.
  Toe In, I think, if increased a tad, can keep it better on track and if so, what should one care about tire wear... "We never wear these tires out!"  Could a bit more Toe-In benefit what we drive?  Michelins are soft and ride nice... but could 'that'minute flexing, make a difference in the attention that we seem to address to steering?
Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136
 

Re: Alignment in Nac (split from Re: 2001 IFS project)

Reply #12 –
Quote from: John S –
I found that the tag made windy days much easier. My 34 foot U270 would move a bit on windy days, but now it take a very large gust to move me.  Weight and a Tag make a difference I would think.


Old ftx's with the dodge chassis had air tag axles where the sides had individual controls for pressure.  If you were crossing the plains and the wind was blowing steady you could raise the downwind sides tag pressure and slowly straighten the steering wheel.

Early unihomes has the manual leveling controls on the floor.  Same thing could be done.  Raise the downwind side a little and you could normally center the steering. 

Love to have an manual  override system on a late model tag wheels ride height valve to be able to compensate for winds and road crowns. 


Foretravel put the valve on a pivot and ran a cable to the valves top side.  Changed the neutral position by rotating the ride height valves body itself.  Used to be able to make those original unihomes do tricks.  Side slopes, deep dips, drive over curbs and concrete parking lot stops then let it down. I don't think the manual control of the tag would hurt a unicoach.  Required a hole in the floor but what the heck.  Nowadays someone might have an electric way to change the center position of a ride height valve?  Or to twist it?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4