Steering Gear Adjustment

[Bikeboy57]

Have any of you ever had problems with your steering gear adjustment. Either too loose or too tight? Mine is a Ross/TRW TAS 85.

I am trying to get the "wander" out of the front end. I have already been down the alignment, loose or worn parts, ride height, coach weight, tire inflation, wheel bearing play route.

I have tinkered with this adjustment. I know when I have it too tight. The symptom is a movement in the steering wheel sends it too far in that correction, so you have to make an immediate correction in the opposite direction. Not fun see sawing down the road.

Second, I know when it is too loose. The symptoms are very similar, except you have to move the steering wheel too much to get the coach to head in that direction, and then you have to correct again to bring it back to center.

Both conditions results in a mild zig zag down the road.

I have the technical manual and it shows a torque setting for the input shaft, but the box has to be disconnected from the rest of the steering to do that. The clearance on the frame will not let me remove the pitman arm, and I was trying to avoid taking the tie rod arms loose.

Any ideas? Have you had this problem?

[Bikeboy57]

Have any of you ever had problems with your steering gear adjustment. Either too loose or too tight? Mine is a Ross/TRW TAS 85.

I am trying to get the "wander" out of the front end. I have already been down the alignment, loose or worn parts, ride height, coach weight, tire inflation, wheel bearing play route.

I have tinkered with this adjustment. I know when I have it too tight. The symptom is a movement in the steering wheel sends it too far in that correction, so you have to make an immediate correction in the opposite direction. Not fun see sawing down the road.

Second, I know when it is too loose. The symptoms are very similar, except you have to move the steering wheel too much to get the coach to head in that direction, and then you have to correct again to bring it back to center.

Both conditions results in a mild zig zag down the road.

I have the technical manual and it shows a torque setting for the input shaft, but the box has to be disconnected from the rest of the steering to do that. The clearance on the frame will not let me remove the pitman arm, and I was trying to avoid taking the tie rod arms loose.

Any ideas? Have you had this problem?

[Pusherman]

One item to consider is your steering bell crank. My understanding is that they tend to get play in them. I have talked to several folks who recommend the Super Steer Bell Crank It's available at CW .

[Sammie]

As Pusherman has already stated, check your bellcrank. My new Journey had the same steering problem as your motorhome. When I had my front end alignment done they found that the bellcrank was very stiff when trying to turn it. Evidently when you turn the steering wheel to make a correction, the stiff bellcrank will stick and cause you to correct again. After having the Super Steer Bellcrank installed it has been a pleasure to drive my coach.

[Bikeboy57]

My chassis doesn't have a bellcrank. The steering gear serves the same purpose though. However, your description of the sticking bellcrank and it's symptoms is consistent with the same symptoms produced by a steering gear that is too tight.

[Matt-n-Dede]

My MH was wondering around the road and greatly oversteering. I replaced the tires with new Michelins and that made it much worse. Found that my shocks were gone so I replaced them. Things were better but still a pain to drive. It seems I have a little play in the wheel but Freightliner says that the adjustment which I cannot see is between the box and the frame and that they will not adjust it... only rebuild it at great expense. In desparation, I installed a product called Steer Safe which I got from CW for $300 and that has made a huge difference in the wander and steering. I still have a small amount of play which I would love to correct but the MH tracks much better and taking a curve is no longer an "adventure".
I think the tire squirm from the new tires contributes much to the oversteering. The symptom is that a small correction at the wheel produces seemingly no or little instant effect.. another small correction and then a big change in direction (oversteer). This is greatly increased by crosswinds.
At least the Steer Safe product which was easy to install has made driving somewhat reasonable even with the crosswinds. Tighten steering and stiffer tires would be perfect!

[Bikeboy57]

I guess I should add more info. The coach has brand new Michelin XZA3 G rated tires, the inflation tables call for 90 for the weight I am carrying. I run them at 100 for a safety margin. The coach has brand new Koni FSD shocks. It also has a Neway/Holland Independent Front Suspension. Neither the shocks or the tires had any effect on the steering issue.

You are right the adjustment that I am talking about is between the frame and steering gear box on this particular setup. At least on my coach I can access it without any serious contortions.

Do you recall what you were quoted for a new steering gear box?

I appreciate your endorsement of the steering aid. However, I am sure that I am dealing with an issue that is "not right", and I am unwilling at this point to put a solution on top of the problem. I am going to try to fix the problem first. If that doesn't work, I'll head down the aftermarket path.

[Matt-n-Dede]

On the gearbox replacement, Freightliner would not give me a clear price. Their guess on a rebuilt box and labor ($120/hr) was $1200-1500.
They wanted me to bring it in to the shop in Atlanta. I have only made one trip with the Steer Safe product so I am waiting to see if I can live with it as is and save some major bucks.

[Bikeboy57]

I got it adjusted this evening using trial and error. See the post on the Newmar site.

[Dan Bowman]

I am experiencing loose steering and wandering while driving my 2003 Journey (new to me). The advice given by others is to have alignment checked, determine the fully loaded weight and adjust the tire pressure to match. I will have these items done.

I plan to go out west this summer 2008 through Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming. I have experienced the winds in that area before so I am looking at after market products to make the ride more stable.

My first choice was the Steer Safe product. Should I also consider the Super Steer Motion Control and/or Safe-T-Plus Steer product along with the Steer Safe or is this an overkill?

Thanks for your advice,

[wagonmaster2]

From personal experience and what I read on the forums, I don't think Freightliner is noted for being fun to steer.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G XC FL chassis

[Dan Bowman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by wagonmaster2:
From personal experience and what I read on the forums, I don't think Freightliner is noted for being fun to steer.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G XC FL chassis </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wagonmaster2,
You are right, it certainly is not fun but you have to admit, it is exciting. I personally would rather get my excitement on a roller coaster! In addition to the excitement, it is very tiring and I am finding after about 4 to 5 hours of this excitement, I am ready to quiet for day. I am just not sure how many solutions I need. I have seen good things written about several products to address the problem. Just not sure if I need them all or just one.

Thanks,

[Bikeboy57]

It turned out I did not have a steering gear problem at all.

After trying many things including a steering stabilized, I discovered that my front end alignment was not right. However, it was withing specifications. I had it done TWICE, the last time on laser equipment. Darn thing still wandered all over the road. I talked with a tech deep in the shop at FL in Gaffney. He told me to set the toe in at 2/32. I set it in the driveway. Instantaneous change in behavior. It tracked like a dream now. The shops set them up neutral or just slightly in to maximize tire wear. Try adding a little toe in to the wandering steering and see if it solves your problems.

[Matt-n-Dede]

Dan, the Steer Safe product helped my Chieftain but the final touch was adjusting the small amount of play in the steering. Once those two things were done it drives quite nicely. No more white knuckles trying to keep it in my lane.