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Topic: Steering Wander (Read 1697 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Steering Wander

Reply #25 –
Shouldn't that be looked at by alignment shop prior to alignment?
Just a note on auto alignments.  Ask if you have worn components.  You can't do a alignment with worn parts, but now they will go ahead with the alignment rather than risk losing the hundred dollars when they tell you you need 500 dollars worth of repars. 
I purchased a car that had just had a alignment, so I felt comfortable front end was good, got to the middle of nowhere in kansas, and found ball joints worn out.
Not try to hijack post, just curious if this is looked at during sligment.
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: Steering Wander

Reply #26 –
Agree but right now I was trying to answer Davids first post,his bolt and spacer are rusted together and that is why the bolt broke,it
is rusted and the up and down movement of the coach broke the bolt,if anyone out there has a 20 year or near 20 year coach
and the rubber in the torque rods has not been changed it's probably as hard as a rock and worn.Think you could still align it ,
changing the bushings will reduce some of the slop in the suspension.Don't think most alignment shops will have any knowledge
of the torque rods.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Steering Wander

Reply #27 –
John,
How much time should be alotied to replace these bushings?
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: Steering Wander

Reply #28 –
I did mine over a few week period,getting more proficient as I went,a few of the bolts had to be cut in 2 places as the spacer gets
"rust welded" to the bolt,a torch will not work.I also sanded and painted the rods and the area around the rods as I went.Would
imagine a shop would take a couple of days at least.For a do it yourselfer an impact is a must.The bolt holes just allow the bolt to
fit thru,not the spacer so that's why you have to cut the bolts,anyone attempting this in the near future start spraying the liquid wrench or whatever now.Hope that helps.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Steering Wander

Reply #29 –
Reading the treads always seem to direct me to take a look at my new to me coach. After looking at all 10 torque rods I see no issues that need immediate attention. Being this is my first ever coach, is this some thing that may fall under preventive maintenance due to coach age? (2001 with only 65,000 miles) Any opinion?

Greg
Greg & Sandy
2001 U270
Build # 5803
Eagle, Idaho

Re: Steering Wander

Reply #30 –
Probably would'nt hurt to shoot some rubber preservative up at the bushings,while there take a pry bar and see if there's any play
in the rod.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Steering Wander

Reply #31 –
just something I found on mine if I run with water tank in front empty the coach wanders if I fill tank it rides better.
1985 35'ORED
Rat Rod Hauler
Build #2540
High School Teacher

Re: Steering Wander

Reply #32 –
Quote from: 1985 –
just something I found on mine if I run with water tank in front empty the coach wanders if I fill tank it rides better.
You don't have a straight axle and weight changes geometry with upper and lower control arms.
  Correction you have an Oakosh chassis and a straight axle
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Steering Wander

Reply #33 –
I suspect an ORED does have a straight front axle.  If so, full water tank all the way up front will have a material impact on weight distribution.

If leaf spring suspension (don't know if this one is leaf spring or air), springs would be properly loaded, instead of substantially underloaded.
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: Steering Wander

Reply #34 –
My previous MH was on. 1987 John Deere chassis, which later became Oskosh. Had a solid front axle , leaf springs, Ford 460 gas.

When it became old enough that it became impossible to buy the correct tire size from my preferred manufacturers, I had to go with off brand. The steering wander went from very annoying to unsafe. I found a great deal of improvement in moving as much weight forward as possible. All the tanks were behind the rear axle, tending to unweight the front.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer