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Topic: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn (Read 713 times) previous topic - next topic

Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

I had Foretravel replace our Tie Rod ends and perform an alignment during my last service.  Now my left turn radius is very limited - what did they do wrong to cause this?  Bad alignment or installed incorrectly?
2009 Nimbus CE
2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
 ̷2̷0̷0̷6̷ ̷C̷o̷u̷n̷t̷r̷y̷ ̷C̷o̷a̷c̷h̷ ̷I̷n̷s̷p̷i̷r̷e̷

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #1 –
Do you have a straight axle?
 If so they most likely have the front end geometry off center and the left front tire is hitting the drag link when you are making a left hand turn.  Look and see if the tire is polishing the drag link. Could be wrong tie rod ends or miss measurement.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #2 –
Tie rods won't do that. A while after I bought my coach I noticed that it turn more one way than the
other. I turned out someone had not centered the pitman are onto the steering box so I moved it one
tooth and it is great now. So that or if the drag link is adjustable is the only thing I can think of that will
cause that.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #3 –
They have something bad wrong, they may have the toe setting ok going forward, but they messed with the steering box stop settings,Pittman arm position, steering stops on the axle. I might be heading on back to let them straight that out.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #4 –
Quote from: bbeane –
They have something bad wrong, they may have the toe setting ok going forward, but they messed with the steering box stop settings,Pittman arm position, steering stops on the axle. I might be heading on back to let them straight that out.
Along the way, for your own edification, you might want to stop, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock and count the turns and partial turns.  Divide by two and turn the steering wheel to that point.  Notice where your coach is headed, and make a note of where and how much.  In the time crunch of replacing tie rod ends it's easy to lose count of there you are, and for a busy shop complacency can set in and fully checking the centering of the steering wheel can be "skipped."
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #5 –
For a simple tie rod replacement and set the toe , it would be odd to reset the Pittman arm .  Is the wheel in the same place?
 

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
For a simple tie rod replacement and set the toe , it would be odd to reset the Pittman arm .  Is the wheel in the same place?
 
That is very true. However it seems like some one did something wrong rather than replacing the tie rod ends. Computer alignment is pretty tough to mess up, as it walks you through the set up process.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #7 –
Moderator Jeff removed contentious exchange/side discussions.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
Along the way, for your own edification, you might want to stop, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock and count the turns and partial turns.  Divide by two and turn the steering wheel to that point.  Notice where your coach is headed, and make a note of where and how much.  In the time crunch of replacing tie rod ends it's easy to lose count of there you are, and for a busy shop complacency can set in and fully checking the centering of the steering wheel can be "skipped."
I'll be trying this tomorrow morning. Thanks  I'm in Phoenix now and having a difficult time finding anyone to correct whatever it is due to the custom chassis.
2009 Nimbus CE
2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
 ̷2̷0̷0̷6̷ ̷C̷o̷u̷n̷t̷r̷y̷ ̷C̷o̷a̷c̷h̷ ̷I̷n̷s̷p̷i̷r̷e̷

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Do you have a straight axle?
 If so they most likely have the front end geometry off center and the left front tire is hitting the drag link when you are making a left hand turn.  Look and see if the tire is polishing the drag link. Could be wrong tie rod ends or miss measurement.

Mike
Mike - No I have independent front suspension.
2009 Nimbus CE
2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
 ̷2̷0̷0̷6̷ ̷C̷o̷u̷n̷t̷r̷y̷ ̷C̷o̷a̷c̷h̷ ̷I̷n̷s̷p̷i̷r̷e̷

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #10 –
Quote from: bbeane –
That is very true. However it seems like some one did something wrong rather than replacing the tie rod ends. Computer alignment is pretty tough to mess up, as it walks you through the set up process.

The work was done at FOT!
2009 Nimbus CE
2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
 ̷2̷0̷0̷6̷ ̷C̷o̷u̷n̷t̷r̷y̷ ̷C̷o̷a̷c̷h̷ ̷I̷n̷s̷p̷i̷r̷e̷

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #11 –
Take your coach to Keith Risch on north end of Nac.  He just did my rod ends.  Drives perfect.  Let me know if you need directions
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #12 –
Quote from: jimgior13 –
Mike - No I have independent front suspension.

Well with you having the coach with an IFS most of this trouble shooting is for nought as that is a hog in a completely different wallow. There could be several things that could be out of kelter.  You will be hard pressed to find a shop on the road that can do quality work on that front set up as they are not common like a strait axle.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #13 –
Quote from: jimgior13 –
I'll be trying this tomorrow morning. Thanks  I'm in Phoenix now and having a difficult time finding anyone to correct whatever it is due to the custom chassis.

2 turns to the left 2 1/2 to the right. 
2009 Nimbus CE
2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
 ̷2̷0̷0̷6̷ ̷C̷o̷u̷n̷t̷r̷y̷ ̷C̷o̷a̷c̷h̷ ̷I̷n̷s̷p̷i̷r̷e̷

Re: Tie Rod Ends - Limited Left Turn

Reply #14 –
Quote from: jimgior13 –
2 turns to the left 2 1/2 to the right. 
FWIW Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension in 1937.
"Custom Chassis" is an excuse not a reason.
The cure for your problem is as simple as winding one side in and the other out an equal amount.  Unless you lose count, no measuring equipment necessary but you may need a special tool if you have split tube tie rods.
FWIW I use blue masking tape, a black pen, a tape measure and a trusted helper for the measurement of toe-in.
For centering the steering wheel I use one turn in, one turn out and check the steering wheel.
Sheesh!
PS depending on how your tie rods are arranged,  usually the connecting tube is left hand threads on one side, the other right, but people do funny things.  But you don't have to remove the outer tie rod end from the steering arm to perform the adjustment.

1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.