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Topic: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300 (Read 584 times) previous topic - next topic

Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Anyone have the toe-in specs in inches for the U300.  Have read thru all the posts and have found it in degrees - but not inches. Trying to improve a slight wandering condition.

Thanks,

Jon
Jon Harris
1995 U300 Unihome
Cat 3176
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Re: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #1 –
I just called a James Triana to get my specs.

Mine is a 2003 U295, but likely the same. My specs are 0 to 1/16" toe, but I had it increased from 0 to 1/8"  And I like it this way. My mechanic also replaced the slightly worn drag link ball ends.

Big improvement.
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

Re: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #2 –
I like 1/8 to 3/16 toe in
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Jon H –
Anyone have the toe-in specs in inches for the U300.  Have read thru all the posts and have found it in degrees - but not inches. Trying to improve a slight wandering condition.

Thanks,

Jon
Jon...lift up the dash panel above the instrument cluster..the specs are written there on a sheet of paper.

Hans
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #4 –
I'd be interested to know what the toe in spec in degrees is for my 96 U295.  Without knowing where toe in is supposed to be measured from the fractional measurement is useless. 

Is it 3/16" toe in per wheel from centerline?  Or per tire from centerline?  Or total toe in between both front tires?  Or total toe between both front wheel rims?  It makes a huge difference.



"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: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #5 –
Toe in is measured from the center of the tire straight forward and the center of the tire straight back.
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: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #6 –
Would appreciate the measurement in degrees if anyone has it.
"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: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #7 –
1/4 in total at 40 in. Do the math if you have  to.   
On 40 in tire is about .35degrees.  total. But do your own math  please just to get it right. 

Convert Toe Inches to Degrees

Re: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #8 –
Would appreciate the spec in degrees if anyone has it. 
"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: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #9 –
Here's a look at my '95s numbers from under the dash. Not degrees, but...
Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #10 –


Appreciate it everyone, but would still like to get the official, hopefully Meritor, specification in degrees for toe in.  Here's the reason....it's become apparent that there are several accepted ways of measuring toe in. 

So, referencing the tag under dash, calling for 1/8" toe, is this per wheel, giving total toe in of 1/4" as measured from rim to rim, or is it 1/8" total i.e. 1/16" per wheel?

Or,  is it 1/8" from centerrline of each  tire?  The larger diameter of tires as compared to wheels makes this a radically different amount than if measured from wheels (rims). 

I have  no clue how Foretravel measured it, or rather their longtime alignment guy Wayne, or how that compared to Meritor's spec, if any. 

The original spec in degrees will not be dependent on measuring points, finding centerlines of tires etc.  It will give the angle of each front wheel.  This can then be converted to a fractional measurement which will vary depending on where you wish to measure....centerlines of tires, wheel rims, etc.  So, in essence, this will yield 1/2 of total toe in of vehicle as measured between two fronts. 

PS, if anyone is watching videos suggesting pulling strings and measuring toe in, forget about it.  Even if it was possible to accurately do it's not necessary as the non ifs foretravels use a track bar....any adjustment affects both fronts equally.









"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: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #11 –
When my trucks were aligned they always used center of tire front and rear for the toe. It would be impractical to try to use the wheel or any other method.. They had a large press that would actually bend the axle for camber, which mine never needed.
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: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #12 –
 The reality is that you should use a little toe in as possible.  If the customer complains about wander you add a little , simple as that.  The high value  is 1/2 in  total toe . The low value is 0.
  My Oshkosh was zero when I got it and it drove fine on small ,high pressure tires.  I changed tires to the 295 and now it likes 1/4 toe in , measured  with toe plates  across the entire tire. Just above the bottom rubber bump.  Some can measure across the tire tread section that runs  straight 360*.
It does not matter how you measure toe as long as you use the same method each time. The mission is to have a bus that tracks well for the driver,  while using as little toe in as possible . Too much toe slows it down/burns fuel/ wears tires.
 Every vehicle has a tolerance stack  that affects tracking. Ball joint not new but inside of specs, kingpins, tie rods, wheel bearings ,  trailing links, etc, all can be in factory spec ranges , yet  all have some affect on tracking . Adding toe in can take up the total slack  in these items and produce the best compromise between driver and tire wear.

 If you get aligned at a shop,  ask to see that chart for your chassis, baring that, look for another bus that has the same front axle and start with those values. If it tracks poorly , ask for another twist of toe. Measure it post adjustment and use that value and measurement method for the future. .   

Re: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #13 –
Thanks Mike, I've got it set where I was happy, went that way after paying for two alignments that did nothing.  I took matters in my own hands after acquiring coach and putting on Michelins.  Toe in ended up being right at your high range, never noticed any problems and tires were unscalloped on edges when replaced after 6 years and 70K.  The Toyos I replaced them with have more defined ribs, directional stability, but don't like as much toe which is noticeable when cornering.  So, I'm starting the adjustment process again and was wanting the official toe recommendation for a baseline setting to work off of. 

So, call it academic curiosity but I'll end up setting them where I'm happy anyway.
"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: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #14 –
Toe is a function of tire diameter and the lateral movement of that tire over one revolution. The measurement is in degrees in an engineering world. In the real world Mike is correct. The following link has a calculator to convert degrees to inches.
Convert Toe Degrees to Inches
1998 36' U295 Mechanical 8.3

Re: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Racedad –
Toe is a function of tire diameter and the lateral movement of that tire over one revolution. The measurement is in degrees in an engineering world. In the real world Mike is correct. The following link has a calculator to convert degrees to inches.
Convert Toe Degrees to Inches
Thanks,
That link also gave other links on the page that I found interesting.
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: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Racedad –
Toe is a function of tire diameter and the lateral movement of that tire over one revolution. The measurement is in degrees in an engineering world. In the real world Mike is correct. The following link has a calculator to convert degrees to inches.
Convert Toe Degrees to Inches

No argument with any of this other than as I see it it's a measurement of lateral movement over 1/2 revolution.  After a full revolution it's zero. And that's not considering  the effect of camber on lateral measurement.  :D

I suspect but don't know for sure that alignment machines use degrees rather than fractional measurements, my hope was to find the oem recommendation in degrees to eliminate the variables of measuring points etc and establish a baseline.  But in the end it probably doesn't matter because I'll tweak it until I'm happy with the way it drives.  The proof of the pudding is in the eating as they say. 






"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: Toe-in specs for 1995 U300

Reply #17 –
Mine felt loose in the front I measure across the middle  front of tire to other side then the same in back of tire. Measurement was the same added 1/8 toe difference from front to back way big improvement. Do not have any idea of how many degrees it would be. Zero degrees would sill be the same measurement front to back as with a tape.
I found this
Convert Toe Inches to Degrees
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit