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brandss · 09-30-2022, 08:15 PM

A while back we had a front tire blow out and we've had everything repaired. I can't make up my mind if I am overly sensitive or if I have an issue. I have a slight vibration that only occurs at 60-65 and I feel it in the steering wheel.

I've had it realigned, new front tires, it all checks out. Not sure I can describe it but it feels like the steering wheel is loose at it's connection, maybe a bit of play in it. On smooth roads, no issue, but anything slightly rough or rough, I feel it.

I know this isn't much of a description but wonder if there are certain parts of the steering someone could point me to. I thought that if it was a tire issue, I'd feel it all the time. The coach tracks straight down the highway so I don't think it's an alignment issue.

theroc · 09-30-2022, 09:12 PM

What kind of balancing method are you using? ...or what did they use when you had the front tires replaced? If it's happening at a certain speed, it kind of sounds like a wheel balance problem but let's see what the experts say.

Skip426 · 09-30-2022, 09:13 PM

I'm not overly familiar with Tiffin chassis ; so I have to ask questions .

What chassis is your coach built on ?
Does it have independent front suspension ?

theroc · 09-30-2022, 09:40 PM

I'm pretty sure it's a FCCC (Freightliner) Powerglide Chassis with an IFS ...independent front suspension ...I'm fairly certain it's a ZF front axle.

SavnTheWales · 09-30-2022, 10:34 PM

Get Centramatics wheel balancers. They made a HUGE difference on my Bounder 35k. It’s now very smooth.

Ray,IN · 10-02-2022, 03:53 AM

Back to theroc's question, what wheel balancing method do you have? Some internal balancing beads/powders have been known to clump when there is moisture in the tire.

brandss · 10-02-2022, 06:34 AM

Thanks for the replies. I have a 14 Tiffin with a powerglide chassis and independent front suspension. I don't currently have anything inside the tires, just the normal weights on the outside. I thought I felt good about the balancing because I had the tires balanced while on the coach, something I haven't seen before. Supposed to be crazy accurate. And I have weighed the coach and feel very confident about tire pressure.

It almost feels like a linkage in the steering and not the tires but what do I know. And the fact that it doesn't happen all the time makes me wonder if I'm simply being sensitive since the blow out.

Ray,IN · 10-02-2022, 09:36 AM

That late-model MH should not have any detectable steering component wear yet, but piece of mind might warrant having the entire IFS system inspected at a HDT repair shop.
I've read that a loose wheel bearing can cause something like that.

Skip426 · 10-02-2022, 09:46 AM

Erratic , does eliminate a tire balance issue .
Spin balancing on the vehicle , became less common with issues of performing the work on FWD , AWD and 4X4 vehicles .

Is there a certain road condition that seems to consistently set the vibration up ?
I don't know what the linkage looks like on a Powerglide chassis IFS , but from recent posts about Freightliner's ISF system where a connection came apart on one member and another who's linkage is loose ( small U joint ) that linkage part is on back order .
Someone with good knowledge of the Powerglide steering system has to examine all components in the system for your peace of mind .