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Topic: Alignment in DFW area (Read 771 times) previous topic - next topic

Alignment in DFW area

Does anyone know of someplace in the DFW area that can do a good front end alignment on a Foretravel?  I was hoping the new tires would help with it wandering but they didn't.

When my coach was at FOT I asked them about it and they had been informed that the gent in town that had a machine to do it told them it was broken and did not know if or when it would be fixed.

Thanks
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Alignment in DFW area

Reply #1 –
I don't know how familiar you are with FTW area but Williamson Tire on 28th street/183 should be able to get you going.  He is on the south side of 28 about 2 or 3 blocks west of I-35W. I don't have there exact address or phone # here with me but you should be able to look them up. It is a yellow building that you can't miss.  Yes you can get in there building with your coach. They are old school small shop. You have a straight front axle like all class 8 trucks of the same era so should be no trouble for them. There are several truck shops in this same area that do front end work.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Alignment in DFW area

Reply #2 –
Thanks Mike I found them.  I will have to get my throttle/speed problem fixed before I try to get into that area  :'(
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Alignment in DFW area

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Super8mm –
  I will have to get my throttle/speed problem fixed before I try to get into that area

You need to start a new thread on this with more details of your trouble.

Yes that area is tight to move around in and there can be traffic to deal with. This is a definite confidence building place to maneuver in. You would be surprised at what I have seen in there shop. If you decide to use these people you will need to make a recon run in your car before you take your coach down there.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Alignment in DFW area

Reply #4 –
Thanks Mike, I will go by there Monday while I am out doing some honey do's.

I will start another thread on the throttle but I will have to go check a couple of items first.  At least my coach is only 40 miles away now and not 200 miles.  ^.^d
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Alignment in DFW area

Reply #5 –
Under the dash you should have  sticker showing the alignment specs when the coach was first built. 

Steps:
Check RIDE HEIGHT first

Verify that tire pressure is correct.  Until you weight it, go by the PSI on your GVWR plaque to the left of the driver's seat.

Alignment on the Foretravel's solid front axle is pretty simple:

Camber is not adjustable (without bending the axle) and it is extremely rare for this to be an issue.
Caster is adjusted by wedge-shaped shims same as on medium and OTR trucks.  The more the caster, the more the coach wants to track straight.
Toe-in is adjustable (easily) and unless you plan do drive a LOT of miles set it toward the high end of spec (more toe-in) for better tracking (but a little more tire tread wear).

Additionally, if you don't have a lot of experience driving large vehicles, they ARE different than cars and SUV's.  You will be looking much further down the road and basically "aiming" them, not steering every second.


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 DFW area

Reply #6 –
Thanks Brett, I will make a check stick today and take it with me tomorrow.

The tires are per the GVWR on the plaque.

Driving larger vehicles is not new to me, at 14 I was driving a 49 GMC cab over with over 25,000 lbs of wheat and other crops, then I drove a cab over delivering restaurant equipment.  I would say this is more like driving a old farm tractor down the road in top gear  :o

Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Alignment in DFW area

Reply #7 –
The steering wheel has an 1 1/2" slack from side to side at the outside diameter of the wheel.  I tried the knuckle under the floor and it has just a small wiggle to it but the linkage under there is all tight.
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Alignment in DFW area

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Super8mm –
The steering wheel has an 1 1/2" slack from side to side at the outside diameter of the wheel.  I tried the knuckle under the floor and it has just a small wiggle to it but the linkage under there is all tight.

Common issue with the Sheppard M100 steering box.  Play is not externally adjustable. Blueprinting can tighten it up.  Redhead in WA state does it.
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 DFW area

Reply #9 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Common issue with the Sheppard M100 steering box.  Play is not externally adjustable. Blueprinting can tighten it up.  Redhead in WA state does it.
Thanks, I am going to visit some alignment shops tomorrow and keep Redhead in mind.
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5