Community Forums

jmckinley · 01-18-2020, 09:48 AM

TeJay, I do have a bike with a motor and I did fall off it and broke some ribs. Still riding though at 75. I will try to avoid walking on big rocks though.

I did install rear air bags since my rear springs were getting pretty saggy and bottoming out on some bumps. Ride definitely improved, wife and cat complaining less. Next step is extra tank to smooth out the ride even more.

CIDE · 01-18-2020, 10:25 AM

Thinking outside the box is how we got men on the moon, robots on Mars and Voyager leaving the solar system.

My ex retirement buddy is a naysayer. He has nothing positive to say about anything or anyone and why he's my EX buddy, the incessant negativity. He's strangled himself with his narrow mindedness. Life is too short to hang around toxic people.

I'm 72 and in the process of switching from off road motorcycling to a Honda Talon side by side. This should keep me exploring the desert southwest for the rest of my life.

jpspaz · 01-19-2020, 06:37 AM

I've read a lot of this thread over the last year or so and I am wondering if the majority are simply switching the stock sway bar end links to the inner hole, purchasing longer end links to keep the bar more level, or using an add on device like TeJay's plates.

georgelesley · 01-19-2020, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpspaz

I've read a lot of this thread over the last year or so and I am wondering if the majority are simply switching the stock sway bar end links to the inner hole, purchasing longer end links to keep the bar more level, or using an add on device like TeJay's plates.

Since TeJay’s plates are cheaper and easier to install and have no record of failure or not fitting properly like some adjustable links, for me the choice was clear and easy.

Luv2go · 01-19-2020, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpspaz

I've read a lot of this thread over the last year or so and I am wondering if the majority are simply switching the stock sway bar end links to the inner hole, purchasing longer end links to keep the bar more level, or using an add on device like TeJay's plates.

Let's find out! Please vote for your method on this poll.

Lincolnut · 01-19-2020, 06:45 PM

You should have asked did you modify your own links....I just added some pipe and did the welding myself and after 60,000 miles they are still working fine...…

you old guys have a fellow here that is only building my 4th Hot Rod at 75 years old....I call it my "C"edan 1927 Model T....

Luv2go · 01-19-2020, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincolnut

You should have asked did you modify your own links....I just added some pipe and did the welding myself and after 60,000 miles they are still working fine...…

you old guys have a fellow here that is only building my 4th Hot Rod at 75 years old....I call it my "C"edan 1927 Model T....

Good point. Please vote under "Replaced links with longer ones" as that's essentially what you did by making the original ones longer.

Gforceone · 01-20-2020, 05:08 AM

I’ve not seen any posts from a possible Ford engineer or alignment specialist on the CHF ?

CWP3 · 01-20-2020, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gforceone

I’ve not seen any posts from a possible Ford engineer or alignment specialist on the CHF ?

True - I’m only about a third the way thru this thread and wondered myself whether a Ford engineer (or some such) have weighed in.

jharrell · 01-20-2020, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gforceone

I’ve not seen any posts from a possible Ford engineer or alignment specialist on the CHF ?

The CHF cannot affect alignment so no worry there. There is a post somewhere on this forum where a Ford engineer was asked at a RV show about the CHF and they saw no issue with it.

I would have to say it would be odd for them to put a adjustable sway bar on with no intent for anyone to use it.

EdInArk · 01-20-2020, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jharrell

The CHF cannot affect alignment so no worry there. There is a post somewhere on this forum where a Ford engineer was asked at a RV show about the CHF and they saw no issue with it.

I would have to say it would be odd for them to put a adjustable sway bar on with no intent for anyone to use it.

I thought maybe the second hole was intended for the Z-bracket which was used on the rear of my 2017 but not the front.

TeJay · 01-20-2020, 09:59 AM

jharrell and several others over the course of this entire thread have posted similar comments.

If the inner holes were never intended to be used why add the inner holes in every SB since they began putting them on the F-53 chassis?? IMHO Not only is that just stupid it's a complete waste of a lot of $$$$$$$.

I'm not sure when Ford first added the Z-brackets. I don't recall seeing them on earlier versions. The inner hole and Z-bracket can still be used when the CHF is employed.

Over the course of time there have been other manufacturers who added additional holes in SB for just that purpose. It's called sway control. I'm sure others with more experience in this area can point to some models & years where this has been done.

I recall at least one maybe two posters who asked Ford technicians if they'd do the CHf for them. Both responded yes. Another technician who did the CHF and took the RV out for a test spin said, "I'll recommend this MOD be done on any F-53 RV that I have occasion to do an alignment or other work."

If I run across that specific post again I'll make it known so others can read it.

I'm not an alignment expert but was trained at the Hunter School of Alignment in St. Louis, MO. Also taught the basics of alignment my last 10 years as a high school instructor.

I'm in agreement with jarrell as well. The anti-sway control systems of stabilizer bars have nothing to do with and do not in any way affect wheel alignment angles.

All of these parts/MODS: shocks, track bars, stabilizer bars, steer safe, safe-T-Steer, Sumo Springs, air bags, steering shocks and stabilizers etc, etc are all intended to dampen, reduce, control, minimize effects of road surface conditions (bumps & dips) and winds no matter how they are created.

None of the above MODs do anything to affect wheel alignment angles. Air bags can affect a vehicles height which might change the caster but it's minimal or unlikely. In fact if your springs are sagging it will help the caster by leveling your RV.

Randalpho · 01-21-2020, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

If the inner holes were never intended to be used why add the inner holes in every SB since they began putting them on the F-53 chassis?? IMHO Not only is that just stupid it's a complete waste of a lot of $$$$$$$.

I'm not sure when Ford first added the Z-brackets. I don't recall seeing them on earlier versions. The inner hole and Z-bracket can still be used when the CHF is employed.

My 2000 F53 was built 8/99 and uses the Z brackets, front and back. It costs to redesign and change tooling to manufacturer a part and if the sway bar can be used with or without Z brackets for years why redesign a perfectly good part.

WhatDoIKnow · 01-24-2020, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gforceone

I’ve not seen any posts from a possible Ford engineer or alignment specialist on the CHF ?

I first learned about the CHF at the Forest River / Goergetown factory in Elkhart, IN. The tour guide told us about it.
He said, "Just google cheap handling fix." Someone had asked him about improving the handling and limiting the rocking when passed by a semi.
That's how I found this post.
It has worked well for me.