Older Class A w/ handling issues

[billyt7563]

Just purchased a 1983 30ft. Pace Arrow. Bought it at a great price w/ only 24K miles. It`s mechanically great, motor, trans etc. fine. I have repainted & restriped it, sealed the roof, so it`s water tight..However, the steering tends to wander a little & requires my constant attention. After much research, I am installing air assist bags front & rear, new shocks etc. to beef up the suspension, & hopefully help w/ the sway some. I`m also installing a Roadmaster Reflex steering stabilizer to help tighten up the steering & help center it. Read good things about this system.The tie rods, idler arm etc. all check out ok, so I didn`t rebuild the front end. Hopefully, my modifications will solve the steering issues. Anyone that's had similar steering issues w/ older MH have any other ideas? Or am I on the right track?..Any input from you "Vintage RV`ers" out there is greatly appreciated..

[Arch Hoagland]

What pressure are your tires set at?

[AveryF]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

What pressure are your tires set at?

We recently acquired an '04 Itasca Sunrise and, believe me, it was a handful to drive the first time behind the wheel from Texas to north Alabama with the tires inflated to the maximum PSI stated on the door placard. One of the first things I did when we got home was to fill the fuel, propane and fresh water tanks to more closely resemble a typical load, weigh the front and rear axles on a CAT scale, and adjust the tire pressures according to the tire manufacturer's recommendation. I couldn't believe the improvement in overall ride and handling from such a simple "fix". I, too, originally thought about making some changes in the suspension but have opted to put those on the back burner for a while because it no longer seems to be such a pressing need at the moment.

[Dutch Star Don]

On those older coaches, the bell crank was one of the causes for wandering. SuperSteer makes a replacement that moves on ball bearings, not metal to metal friction.

https://www.amazon.com/SuperSteer-P3.../dp/B009WQQ64M

[Isaac-1]

If the Bell Cranks are not the issue check for play in the steering box, a quarter turn of the adjustment screw on the steering box did wonders for solving my wondering issues. Just be careful how you do it, as over adjusting can cause binding and sudden failure of the steering box, which could have tragic consequences.

[AnotherMike]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

On those older coaches, the bell crank was one of the causes for wandering. SuperSteer makes a replacement that moves on ball bearings, not metal to metal friction.

https://www.amazon.com/SuperSteer-P3.../dp/B009WQQ64M

When you say "older" would that apply to my '85 P30?

I'm always looking for ideas/suggestions toward fixes on my beast...

Mike

[Isaac-1]

Yes, all P30 / P32 chassis coaches came with Bell Cranks which were prone to excessive wear, often being warn out within the first 40,000 miles. See https://supersteerparts.com/product/...-rv-chassis-2/

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by AnotherMike

When you say "older" would that apply to my '85 P30?

I'm always looking for ideas/suggestions toward fixes on my beast...

Mike

Yes, the SuperSteer was made with the P30 chassis in mind.

[azpete]

on my 95 34 ft itasca, i replaced the bell cranks, with super steers, along with new springs from henderson.
that eliminated the front air bags, and, after an alignment, gave the coach a greatly improved ride and steering.
roadmaster sway bars, front and rear along with a steering stabilizer did wonders. my coach finally rode like i felt a motorhome should.

[billyt7563]

I checked the tire pressure, all were with in the high end of manufacturers specs, but I think I might lower them a bit & see what happens. Thanks,,

[billyt7563]

I`ll check out the bell crank Thanks, also I checked the steering box & gave it a half turn. But I`m not feeling like it`s in the box. ( I have an older Dodge 4x4 had that problem)..The steering wheel doesn`t have any play in it, it feels more like front end wander.The tie rods & pitman arm etc were ok, so I`m thinking alighment. Maybe caster setting. Also I did order a Roadmaster Reflex steering stabilizer for it. Can`t hurt anyway. So lets see what happens when I get it aligned & Roadmaster installed. I`ll let Y`all know how it goes Thanks all for the advice..

[billyt7563]

FYI: I went ahead & ordered the Supersteer Bell crank. I think between that & the Roadmaster Reflex stabilizer, & an alignment, should resolve my issues, I will keep You posted after I install them..Thanks Guys.

[AnotherMike]

Originally Posted by azpete

on my 95 34 ft itasca, i replaced the bell cranks, with super steers, along with new springs from henderson.
that eliminated the front air bags, and, after an alignment, gave the coach a greatly improved ride and steering.
roadmaster sway bars, front and rear along with a steering stabilizer did wonders. my coach finally rode like i felt a motorhome should.

The bell cranks are now on my to-do list, any details on the henderson springs? My air bags are toast, so I'm interested...

Mike

[Isaac-1]

I replaced my front airbags with Supersteer springs last year while having the front ball joints replaced. I find the Supersteer font springs make for a much softer more pleasant ride, with much more front spring travel, though I don't think it has any positive benefit on handling, and may even be a slight negative.