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tom41 · 07-31-2013, 07:03 AM

Have a 1998 ford with 450 chassis, v-10 class c, the steering wheel turns 3-4 inches before wheels start turning. The steering gear box has been replace, upper/ lower ball joints new shocks and new shock stabilizer, new tires and alignment done. but the problem still there. any suggestions? also taking it back to the guy that done all this work. The work was done this month. Would like someones opinion on this. thanks

ReelTime · 07-31-2013, 07:58 AM

Tom, I have both a 1990 28 ft Rockwood class C built on a E350 Ford chassis and a 1997 31 ft Four winds class C built on a Super Duty (E450) chassis.

Both of them have probably three inches of play in the steering before the wheels themselves start to turn. It has never been a problem for me, I can take my hands off the wheel on a straight and level road (no wind) and it will remain straight in the lane.

The purpose of the steering wheel is to direct the wheels in the direction you want to go, now if you are constantly correcting the direction of the wheels then you have a problem with an alignment issue, loose part, weight issue, or tire inflation issue.

Reducing the steering wheel play will give you a quicker response to change the vehicle direction but why does the RV need to be corrected.

What are you trying to achieve by reducing the steering wheel play?

Thinking about it there could be a lost sense of control over the RV and I can understand that.

This is just my experience and three inches of steering play on my RV's would not be a problem for me unless the RV was doing some of the steering on its own?

tom41 · 07-31-2013, 01:19 PM

thanks for the reply Ron. I just got back with RV from the people that had done all the front end work. The problem has been solved! they adjusted the new steering gear box and deflated the front tires from 80 lbs to 65 lbs (kept 80 lbs in the duals. I took it out on the interstate and it now drives like an SUV!! I usually drive around 55-60 on interstates with an rv but I tried at 70 and it was like a different motorhome. there is just barely play in the steering now and that's how it should be. Now I feel comfortable driving. I have owned every type rv from popups , travel trailers, two class A's including a diesel pusher, and before the class c a ford dulley and Montana fifthwheel. Not one of the above had loose steering and all drove and handled great. Now the Four Winds makes me feel good driving again. Never should a steering wheel have to turn 3-4 inches without the wheels turning! thanks again for your quick reply

ReelTime · 07-31-2013, 06:18 PM

Tom, that is great glad the issue is solved. I do believe that 80 lbs is a little high for the front tires. On the 28 foot E350 I run 60 lbs in the frount and on the 31 foot Super duty I run 65 in the front. Both drive and handle great. I have to remind myself that I am driving a much heaver and longer vehicle.

My daily drive is a F150 truck and the response is quicker but other than that no difference. 80 lbs is probably the maximum inflation rating on the tires (it is on mine) and unless you are loaded to the maximum it needs to be a little less.

Driving a motor home should not be a chore, it should be a joy. For the wife and I the drive is as much fun as the destination. Freedom, our second home is with us.

tom41 · 07-31-2013, 06:36 PM

I know what you mean Ron. Now I look forward to driving the MH, I had made 3 short trips in it and was hating getting behind the wheel. Now so far as this afternoon it handles really close to my F150!! Thanks Ron

mkwarlick · 08-03-2013, 08:56 PM

I've had the same complaint about steering...I was thinking about lowering the pressure on all wheels but I think I'll just do the fronts now. The recommended pressure is 92 so maybe I'll put 75 or 80 in. And I was also planning to ask my mechanic to adjust the steering/gearbox so it's good to hear that it worked for you. When you took it back to the mechanic, did he know exactly what the problem was after you described the steering issue

tom41 · 08-04-2013, 03:27 AM

yes the mechanic had a pretty good idea what it was. we had already put in new upper/lower ball joints and tie rod ends , new shocks front and back. so when he did the adjustment on the steering gear box it drove like a brand new coach and the way it should. he said he could adjust it even more but didn't want to get it too tight. I believe it is just right the way it is now. Going on a 200 mile trip this week, so can tell even more about it. But I can tell you that after test driving on the interstate and several miles on a state rd, it was a pleasure driving a MH again! the steering wheel should never have much play before the wheels start turning. I went by the sticker on the door jam which Four Winds put on the coach, 80 lbs in rear and 65 lbs in front, the 10 ply tires calls for 80 lbs but I believe Four Winds put the suggested lbs on the door jam for a reason.

chboone · 08-05-2013, 09:34 PM

To know the correct air pressure you should run in your tires, you should have the coach weighted and adjust the air pressure to the manufacturers air pressure to weight chart. The best way to weight the coach, if possible is to weight each corner of the coach. At the least weight each axle separately.

Chuck

mkwarlick · 08-11-2013, 02:22 PM

As a follow-up to my post above, I'm happy to report that after the 2nd trip to an alignment shop, the lag in my steering was caused by a loose "drag link" that had to be replaced.

With the Safe-T-Plus and the beefed up rear sway bar that I added previously, and, most importantly, discovering and fixing what was causing the lag, I'm very happy

to report my 35 foot MH drives like an SUV...it is actually a pleasure and I can't wait until my next trip.

mkwarlick

ReelTime · 08-12-2013, 04:31 AM

Mkwarlick, Thanks for letting us know the issue is resolved. It sounds like the coach now drives like it should. It should not be a chore, you should be able to enjoy the drive. To my wife and I getting to the next destination is just as enjoyable as the destination itself.
Safe travels.