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Topic: Ored ride height (Read 1622 times) previous topic - next topic

Ored ride height

33" is the listed as the proper ride height from factory, but no reference to what. Front end is ridiing low after 1500 mile trip on the east bound I-40 road from hell. So the front ride height. rods are bent or have slipped. Hit a dip in the Mojave, that I'm pretty sure suspension hit the stops big kaboom.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #1 –
OPP. if you are reffering to what to measure to check the height it has been mentioned numerous times by at least Brett W of were to measure.
JohnH

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #2 –
Measure from the top of the frame to level ground, with the air bags inflated. need to add this is with 9R tires inflated to around 100psi.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #3 –
bags have eight inches of travel.

Dump air. Measure something to ground.  Refill. Should be four inches higher.

Repeat three times.  If not  same height a height control valve is bad

"Trip from hell?"

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #4 –
I thought OREDs had leaf springs.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #5 –
Not a 300 cat.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #6 –
Quote from: rvtinker –
I thought OREDs had leaf springs.
The majority of Oshkosh Chassis were equipped with air bag suspension.  There were a few under 40 ' that came with springs or rubber band suspension they just didn't work out.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #7 –
Not aware of any torsilastic suspensions on Oshkosh chassis. Only on U225 and U240's.

Anyone ever see one on an Oshkosh chassis???

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #8 –
Would suspect that there some published specs for ride height for the ORED air suspension chassis giving more specific dimensions than "bag inflated to 1/2 full height". 

May need to check with James Tirana.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #9 –
While I am sure their are specific dimensions the 4 inches up from deflated should get him close.

The multiple repeats of the deflate/reinflating cycle catches the worn ride height valves i replaced on these many times.

If the front does not return exactly to the same height the steering wheel is off center and the coaches steering is off.

Unihomes and unicoaches are insensitive to ride height altering the straight ahead mode.

Not so the ORED's

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #10 –
Yup with a trailing arm front suspension design, ride height affects alignment-- primarily CASTER.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #11 –
 I lowered my ORED to match the sweet spot of the new shox. While castor reduces with right height a little bit, the slightly lower Cg helps it drive nicer.  Lower drives better as a rule as long as the suspension has enough to not hit stops  up or down.
  I will measure my  ride height value and give a reference to the frame , trailing arm so that tire size is not part of the dimension.
  I will be back to the bus late next week. 

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #12 –
Thanks, Mike.

That is what he needs: a chassis rail to some point on the axle/trailing arm. 

Again, would be interested in factory spec if anyone has that.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
33" is the listed as the proper ride height from factory, but no reference to what. Front end is ridiing low after 1500 mile trip on the east bound I-40 road from hell. So the front ride height. rods are bent or have slipped. Hit a dip in the Mojave, that I'm pretty sure suspension hit the stops big kaboom.
Phred with engine running and full tanks of air front and rear set the ride height to 33" from top of frame rail to ground( reach around front tire from the rear to measure, better yet get on a rack or pit), set front, then set rear  and re-measure front to make sure it hasn't changed, those are words of wisdom from the FT Factory 5 years ago.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #14 –
Thanks, NancyS,

That is the info he needs.

But, I have a question-- are there two ride height valves in front  (unusual, but possible) or are the two in back.

You always set the axle with the two first, as that will affect left/right height, even on the other axle.  So, after getting the axle with two valve set properly, you "average" the ride height of the other axle.  The axle with the single valve is very rarely exactly the same side to side-- perhaps one side 1/4" high, the other 1/4" low.  No problem.

But, if you start on the axle with one ride height valve, you will change ride height if you do adjust the other axle's valves.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #15 –
2 valves in the rear and one in the front  each with it's own dump valve, when setting up I place the jacks into vertical  position, then dump the air bags and bring the coach level with the HWH Jacks, leaving it as low as possible.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #16 –
Thanks, passenger rear is about an 1" lower than driver's side rear. Can't get the leveling jack down due to that, and the crown in my driveway. I am down to single water pump belt and it's squelling like a pig to move to a level site. I will start with passenger rear first, to see if I can cycle the valve.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
Thanks, passenger rear is about an 1" lower than driver's side rear. Can't get the leveling jack down due to that, and the crown in my driveway. I am down to single water pump belt and it's squelling like a pig to move to a level site. I will start with passenger rear first, to see if I can cycle the valve.
Phred, with Ign. switch on, turn on HWH master switch, now select auto retract for all jacks, sounds to me like the rt. rear cylinder is not fully retracted, they will get confused once and a while. Now try the vertical switch and see what happens.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #18 –
Brett,

Have a NTM '87 40' GV ORED.  Contacted FOT about ride height.  He stated the correct way to measure is from bottom of floor to ground.  Under my front dash is a sticker with Ride Height of 33 & 1/3" .  Also has front end alignment specs.

This unit was poorly maintained and I'm going thru it.  Got Oil and Coolant analysis and everything looks good.  Changed fuel, oil & filters.  Changing out Belts, Shocks and Height Valves.  New Conti tires all around.  Saved big bucks using new FMCA discount.

Re: Ored ride height

Reply #19 –
Sooooo, how does "top of frame rail" to ground compare to "bottom of floor" to ground?

Thanks.

Brett