Steering Wander November 20, 2010, 04:16:00 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118432We recently purchased our 2002 23.5RL with the Ford E350 V10 power train. On a shake down trip to Lake Havasu last week I noticed a tendency for the coach steering to wander a bit in the lane. The steering seemed to be a bit sloppy with about two inches of play in the wheel. Is this normal or do I need a front end alignment? Has anyone had a problem similiar to mine? Thanks, Chris Fennell Sun City West AZ.
Re: Steering Wander Reply #1 – November 20, 2010, 04:37:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118434On Sat, 20 Nov 2010 22:15:51 -0000, "Chris Fennell" fennellchris@...> wrote:QuoteIs this normal No it's notQuotedo I need a front end alignment? You need to have the front end checked out. It could be that it needs alignment or something else. If you don't know of place, see who services ambulances in your area. Most are build on the E350/E450. Best not to mention it's a MH first, as they see an A-class when you say that. If they can handle an ambulance, they can handle a LD if their door height is 11 feet.
Steering Wander Reply #2 – November 20, 2010, 04:45:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118436Chris wrote:QuoteWe recently purchased our 2002 23.5RL with the Ford E350 V10 power train. On a shake down trip to Lake Havasu last week I noticed a tendency for the coach steering to wander a bit in the lane. The steering seemed to be a bit sloppy with about two inches of play in the wheel. Is this normal or do I need a front end alignment? Has anyone had a problem similiar to mine? Thanks, Chris Fennell Sun City West AZ. I have a 2000 E350 TK with 75,000 miles. Your problem is absolutely not normal. My steering is as tight as the day it was new and tracks straight as an arrow. It doesn't sound like an alignment problem, but take it in and they will be able to see what is wrong and probably fix it.Tom
Re: Steering Wander Reply #3 – November 20, 2010, 05:02:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118437No, this much play is way out of normal. Several things can be the cause: bad ball joints, bad king pins, bad tie rod ends, a worn steering gear and/ or tires or tire inflation, too low pressure. Have it checked by a Ford dealer for a correct diagnosis. For sure, something is worn beyond normal tolerances. Have it corrected before buying. Good luck, Doc 2000FL
Re: Steering Wander Reply #4 – November 20, 2010, 05:08:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118438Quote On Sat, 20 Nov 2010 22:15:51 -0000, "Chris Fennell" wrote:Is this normal No it's notdo I need a front end alignment? You need to have the front end checked out. It could be that it needs alignment or something else. If you don't know of place, see who services ambulances in your area. Most are build on the E350/E450. Best not to mention it's a MH first, as they see an A-class when you say that. If they can handle an ambulance, they can handle a LD if their door height is 11 feet. Thanks Don, I'll get it looked at next week.
Re: Steering Wander Reply #5 – November 20, 2010, 05:10:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118439QuoteChris wrote:We recently purchased our 2002 23.5RL with the Ford E350 V10 power train. On a shake down trip to Lake Havasu last week I noticed a tendency for the coach steering to wander a bit in the lane. The steering seemed to be a bit sloppy with about two inches of play in the wheel. Is this normal or do I need a front end alignment? Has anyone had a problem similiar to mine? Thanks, Chris Fennell Sun City West AZ.I have a 2000 E350 TK with 75,000 miles. Your problem is absolutely not normal. My steering is as tight as the day it was new and tracks straight as an arrow. It doesn't sound like an alignment problem, but take it in and they will be able to see what is wrong and probably fix it.Tom Thanks Tom, I'll get it looked at next week.
Re: Steering Wander Reply #6 – November 20, 2010, 05:13:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118440Quote No, this much play is way out of normal. Several things can be the cause: bad ball joints, bad king pins, bad tie rod ends, a worn steering gear and/ or tires or tire inflation, too low pressure. Have it checked by a Ford dealer for a correct diagnosis. For sure, something is worn beyond normal tolerances. Have it corrected before buying. Good luck, Doc 2000FL Thnaks Darryll, I appreciate all the feedback. I'll get it checked out asap.
Re: Steering Wander Reply #7 – November 21, 2010, 02:05:42 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118460Check your tire pressure all the way around. It maybe a bit low. To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com From: Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2010 22:15:51 +0000 Subject: [LD] Steering WanderWe recently purchased our 2002 23.5RL with the Ford E350 V10 power train. On a shake down trip to Lake Havasu last week I noticed a tendency for the coach steering to wander a bit in the lane. The steering seemed to be a bit sloppy with about two inches of play in the wheel. Is this normal or do I need a front end alignment? Has anyone had a problem similiar to mine? Thanks, Chris Fennell Sun City West AZ.[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Steering Wander Reply #8 – November 22, 2010, 08:21:56 am Yahoo Message Number: 118476When Ciao's front tires were at 80psi, the wander was intense and dangerous. Taking the fronts down to 65 psi solved the problem for me. Stable, safe, in control- much better! I still run 80 psi on the back because we are always at max weight (ahem!) Also, I'd double-check your loading of the rig to make sure you're balanced.Hope that helps,Tessa in TX '92 MB- Ciao Baby
Re: Steering Wander Reply #9 – November 22, 2010, 02:20:21 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118492Quote When Ciao's front tires were at 80psi, the wander was intense and dangerous. Taking the fronts down to 65 psi solved the problem for me. Stable, safe, in control- much better! I still run 80 psi on the back because we are always at max weight (ahem!) Also, I'd double-check your loading of the rig to make sure you're balanced.Hope that helps,Tessa in TX '92 MB- Ciao Baby Thanks Tessa, I'll take a close look at that as a possible fix.
Re: Steering Wander Reply #10 – November 22, 2010, 03:33:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118494Chris I will agree with everyone who suggested that you get the front end checked, the same advice any new owner should do. Even new rigs usually need an alignment. The LD's twin-I-Beam steering is different than other trucks. It's a little vague and tend to slightly wander. I know I noticed it a lot for the first couple thousand miles. Getting the front end aligned and the rig weighted, so the tire pressure could be properly set, made a huge difference in our LD's drivibility.Larry
Re: Steering Wander Reply #11 – November 22, 2010, 04:09:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118496Ditto on Tessa's reply about the 80 PSI
Re: Steering Wander Reply #12 – November 22, 2010, 06:09:51 pm Yahoo Message Number: 118499wrote: Ditto on Tessa's reply about the 80 PSI in the front tires. Had my LD servicedthree to four years ago, nothing to do with tires, and on the 30 mile drive home it was almost white knuckle driving. All over the road. Checked the tires and found 80 PSI so reduced them to their normal pressure, problem solved as easy as that. --- Every service place that I've ever dealt with airs the tires to the maximum pressure all around as a matter of course; this is part of their "service". Of course, it shows that plenty of service centers, including tire shops, have *no clue* that the tires' pressures should be appropriate to the rig's down-the-road weight So, get accurate four-corner weights on your (loaded) motorhome, set the tire pressures according to the tire manufacturer's load/inflation table, and tell the sevice writer (AND the kid with the air hose), "DON'T TOUCH THE TIRES!" And, I suggest checking for yourself that they followed your instructions when you pick up the rig!As ever, YMMV.Joan
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Topic: Steering Wander (Read 8 times)
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