Community Forums

upsdrew · 09-24-2017, 06:09 PM

On my current trip I am noticing a great deal of play in my steering wheel. I have a 2009 Fleetwood Terra LX 34bB. Is there any way to tighten the steering?

AITG · 09-24-2017, 06:12 PM

Yes, but don't do it until you have the front end inspected including the joints in the steering shaft.
Too many things can wear excessively and feel like "play".

Itasca66 · 09-24-2017, 06:28 PM

Steering boxes are good for way over 100,000 miles. 110,000 I had to change one on my 1978 .

Itasca66

upsdrew · 09-24-2017, 06:29 PM

I only have 25000 on mine

Itasca66 · 09-24-2017, 06:39 PM

You can block wheels and get under rig and have someone move steering wheel back and forth and watch what links are moving . That's how I found my steering sector was shot at 110,000 miles.

Itasca66

WillandJane · 09-24-2017, 07:33 PM

How much play.....commercial driving test require that steering wheel play be no more than 2 inches, 1 1/2 inches is typical.

WDK

Itasca66 · 09-24-2017, 10:27 PM

In the steering wheel ?

Itasca66

WillandJane · 09-24-2017, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itasca66

In the steering wheel ?

Itasca66

If you turn the steering wheel more than 2 inches and you and your wheels don't move in that direction, there is a problem.....the formula however is 10 percent of the steering wheel size for play.....a 20inch steering with 10 percent of play can move no more than 2inches.

WDK

BigBadDad · 09-24-2017, 10:43 PM

Since that will be a Ford Chassis you need to get it to a dealer or truck service to examine and if needed repair. Don't mess with it yourself.

Itasca66 · 09-24-2017, 10:45 PM

Wow that's allot . Ok so 16 inch wheel would be 1.6 inchs . On my old 1978 moved 4 inchs when something let go in the steering sector. My 1992 class A so tight you cant detect any play you have to use a indicator. Only 45,000 miles on it. That's old school 16 inch rims also.

Itasca66

WillandJane · 09-24-2017, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itasca66

Wow that's allot . Ok so 16 inch wheel would be 1.6 inchs . On my old 1978 moved 4 inchs when something let go in the steering sector. My 1992 class A so tight you cant detect any play you have to use a indicator. Only 45,000 miles on it. That's old school 16 inch rims also.

Itasca66

I am not sure if the size of the rims makes any difference.....I was a driving instructor and examiner for DMV California as a secondary to my job for 27 years and the 10 percent formula is per instruction and on the test....it did not include the size of the wheels in the formula.

WDK

Itasca66 · 09-25-2017, 12:25 AM

You know It could be the tire width maybe. I don't know how they figure that. I always see play and fixed it and got it realigned..

Itasca66

Charlie 5320 · 09-25-2017, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillandJane

If you turn the steering wheel more than 2 inches and you and your wheels don't move in that direction, there is a problem.....the formula however is 10 percent of the steering wheel size for play.....a 20inch steering with 10 percent of play can move no more than 2inches.

WDK

I sure wouldn't want to drive a coach with anything near what you are saying. I've NEVER seen a vehicle with 2" of play in the steering wheel. My Dolphin has almost no play in the wheel, was checking it before purchase. I would hope there aren't ANY vehicles on the road with 2" play in the wheel.

WillandJane · 09-25-2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie 5320

I sure wouldn't want to drive a coach with anything near what you are saying. I've NEVER seen a vehicle with 2" of play in the steering wheel. My Dolphin has almost no play in the wheel, was checking it before purchase. I would hope there aren't ANY vehicles on the road with 2" play in the wheel.

I am glad your Dolphin is perfect which is the way most people think of their coaches when they are running good but DMV recognizes that not every vehicle is perfect or the same weather it's an RV or an over the road long haul semi, that is the tolerance that they allow at testing though any play can be corrected. The vehicle is checked for safety first before they test the driver and if they flunked every that came in with a fault hardly any of us would be on the road. Most states as of yet do not require a license to drive an RV so there is no testing to check how bad some people maintain their vehicles and as a side note, I use to work for a municipality and some of those trucks are so badly maintained that they are lucky to be moving....just the other day I saw a tour bus hauling passengers to Rapid City SD with a cracked rim and the driver told me that he could hardly keep it straight on the road so please don't tell me there are no vehicles out there with more than 2 inches of play in the steering wheel.

WDK