Steering damper April 08, 2018, 10:22:18 am I'm considering putting on a steering damper on my 26 and a half foot LD. I saw good reviews on the Safe-t-Plus system. They're costly ($350) but appear to be top line. I'm wondering if anyone has had any results with steering damper systems and if so what. Thanks.
Re: Steering damper Reply #1 – April 08, 2018, 02:38:26 pm IMO, if the steering is in good shape, it's a solution looking for problem.If the steering isn't in good shape, get it fixed.Save your money and replace the stock stabilizer with a Bilstein stabilizer .It's all you need, I have had to adjust way too many Sate-T-Plus stabilizers, when the the clamps slip.Amazon.com: Bilstein 24-174534 5100 Series Steering Damper Front 5100 Series...Larry 3 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Steering damper Reply #2 – April 08, 2018, 02:55:01 pm "I have had to adjust way too many Safe-T-Plus stabilizers, when the the clamps slip."---I installed a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer on my 2003 when the rig had a bit over 5000 miles on it; the rig now has 107k. Although the Safe-T-Plus does the job that it's designed for, it does require adjustment more frequently than I think it should due to the "clamp slip" that Larry described. Additionally, installing a Safe-T-Plus requires removing the Ford OEM stabilizer bracket and installing a proprietary bracket. As far as I know - and I would check this out carefully with a qualified Safe-T-Plus installer before making a decision - replacing the bracket to accommodate a Bilstein steering damper (or another steering damper) is either a big job or not feasible. JMHO, but I suggest that before installing any "steering" add-ons, make sure that the front end is aligned (check toe, camber, and caster carefully!), the shocks are good, the tires are not wearing unevenly and are aired to appropriate pressures, the tower springs are in good shape, and the ball joints and entire steering assembly is lubed and not worn. 2 Likes
Re: Steering damper Reply #3 – April 08, 2018, 03:35:17 pm Great advice. You've made me rethink things. I may be looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. I am bringing the coach in for an alignment. I thought I'd have a damper installed then. The coach steered "light" and would swerve in high winds or when passed by semi's. I thought a damper might help. Otherwise, the steering is fine. Thanks for the comeback.
Re: Steering damper Reply #4 – April 08, 2018, 05:58:13 pm Steering drift due to passing semis is also the result of rear sway. No matter how tight the steering, if the rear rocks, it will steer the rig. Replacing the front and rear sway bar bushings with polyurethane, replacing worn shocks and steering stabilizer will usually make a remarkable difference.Steve
Re: Steering damper Reply #5 – April 08, 2018, 06:14:10 pm My rear doesn't "rock" (as far as I know, anyway! ), but the rear anti-sway bars (front and rear) are massive IPD (now Roadmaster) replacements for the OEM Ford bars. BTW, I would definitely consider a Bilstein steering damper to replace the Safe-T-Plus if it could be "retrofitted" without cutting welds and re-bracketing. But, as posted above, it doesn't appear that it can be. Ditto Steve's comment on the polyurethane anti-sway bar bushings; bushings (shock bushings, too) can wear quickly, be chewed up, shredded, flattened, and/or disappear entirely. It's a good idea to put a bushing check on the regular maintenance list!
Re: Steering damper Reply #6 – April 09, 2018, 06:38:56 am Quote from: JCT - April 08, 2018, 06:14:10 pmMy rear doesn't "rock" (as far as I know, anyway! ), but the rear anti-sway bars (front and rear) are massive IPD (now Roadmaster) replacements for the OEM Ford bars. Your HD sway bar in the rear will certainly help, Joan, but here is the geometry:The leaf springs are attached to the frame with pivots at the front, and shackles at the rear. This is because as the spring flexes, the axle displaces fore-and-aft relative to the position of the frame pivot point. From the normal partially-compressed position of the spring, any side sway of the coach due to air buffeting will slightly displace one axle attachment rearward, and the other forward. I.e., the rear axle will 'steer'. Most rear suspension designs will do this to some degree, usually by design to complement the steering reaction of the front suspension. However, it simply occurs by default with leaf suspensions, and since the twin I-beam front does NOT compensate, it results in the need for steering corrections.Steve
Re: Steering damper Reply #7 – April 09, 2018, 10:02:40 am Link to a diagram of Ford's Twin I-beam suspension:Figure 7 The twin I-beam front suspension is used almost exclusively by Ford...
Re: Steering damper Reply #8 – April 11, 2018, 12:26:09 am After having done most of the suspension upgrades Henderson’s Line Up sells, I would say the one item I would not do over is the steering stabilizer. It helped only in getting the wheels to return more firmly to center after turning, which is NBD to me. There are a LOT of conversations on this topic, but just to save you some search work, here is my reprise:Best improvement to our coach’s road handling- carefully loading to get the best weight dotribution possible, and airing the tires properly (mine only needed 65 psi, not the max air pressure).Second item was alignment, and adjustments to the steering box to reduce play, along with Koni shocks. Third was beefed up sway bars and bushing. That one may have been a bit over the line. If I did it again, I would go with just new poly bushings. All in all, as usual, what Larry said.
Re: Steering damper Reply #9 – April 11, 2018, 02:33:40 am Quote from: paul banbury - April 11, 2018, 12:26:09 amAfter having done most of the suspension upgrades Henderson’s Line Up sells, I would say the one item I would not do over is the steering stabilizer. To clarify, the E450 comes with a steering stabilizer. It should be retained or upgraded to a heavy-duty replacement.I believe Paul is referring to a Safe-T-Plus, an aftermarket device designed to keep the steering pointed straight ahead.Hendersens is a great place to buy much more than what your LD needs to handle correctly.Larry
Re: Steering damper Reply #10 – April 11, 2018, 10:34:48 am "After having done most of the suspension upgrades Henderson's Line Up sells..."Aren't those good folks up there in Grants Pass, OR just the best in the business?After taking delivery in Oct. 2004, within a few months I went to Henderson's to have that important first alignment done. I was somewhat stunned to learn from the Service Writer that I would first need to have a 'rear end' alignment done in order to be sure that the front alignment was correct. It was found, that after the frame lengthening, the "U" bolts had not been torqued properly, allowing for an out of alignment rear end. How many shops would have discovered that?Needless to say I have been a Henderson fan ever since and they have had ample opportunities to keep my rig running straight and true down the road. Between Henderson's and AM Solar I love Oregon! 1 Likes
Re: Steering damper Reply #11 – April 11, 2018, 01:01:41 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - April 11, 2018, 10:34:48 amAfter taking delivery in Oct. 2004, within a few months I went to Henderson's to have that important first alignment done. I was somewhat stunned to learn from the Service Writer that I would first need to have a 'rear end' alignment done in order to be sure that the front alignment was correct. It was found, that after the frame lengthening, the "U" bolts had not been torqued properly, allowing for an out of alignment rear end. How many shops would have discovered that?While some alignment shop only align the front wheels, a proper four-wheel alignment is suppose to find such problemsThe rear wheels need to run parallel to the front wheels to prevent tracking off to one side.After driving the first 3000 miles, to settle the suspension, our LD was taken to an truck alignment shop, with an alignment rack big enough for the LD, and was given a four wheel alignment. The results were great, the Factory settings were way off, requiring the toe-in and caster to be reset.After weighting and setting the correct tire pressure, it drove like a different vehicle.Many handling issues that are addressed with suspension add-ons can, instead, be cured with a professional, four-wheel alignment. Try this first before spending a lot on money on sway bars, track bars and steering centering devices.You may be surprised how well the stock suspension ands steering can work.Larry 5 Likes
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Topic: Steering damper (Read 349 times)
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