Community Forums

brobox · 04-10-2023, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimZuccone

I will not be at Spartan, but an authorized service center in Phoenix. Spartan has said they are willing to work with the service center to make sure to make sure the steering box is setup correctly.

The steering boxes are a pain. I left Spartan with the steering box supposedly 180 degrees out of alignment. That was discovered in Columbia MO. I had so many issues, I don't know which one finally corrected. It wasn't until the shock upgrade that it finally all went away. I can honestly say, the 14,000 pound rated Bilstine shocks will not handle 16,000 plus pounds on the front axle.

Let us Know what they find, I am sure other Classic owners will be anxious to hear.

Evo1 · 04-20-2023, 07:03 AM

Quick update - the shop says all of the gearbox timing marks are lined up. They are working with Spartan to try to resolve the issue. They say it may have to do with too much weight on the front axle. Next step is to have the coach weighed. In the meantime I ordered the Koni Shocks which will be installed this week. I'll report when I get the coach back.

brobox · 04-20-2023, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimZuccone

Quick update - the shop says all of the gearbox timing marks are lined up. They are working with Spartan to try to resolve the issue. They say it may have to do with too much weight on the front axle. Next step is to have the coach weighed. In the meantime I ordered the Koni Shocks which will be installed this week. I'll report when I get the coach back.

Did you check with Ted Cook at Entegra what the did with the valves and hoses for the power steering?

Evo1 · 04-20-2023, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

Did you check with Ted Cook at Entegra what the did with the valves and hoses for the power steering?

No, I have been dealing with Shane at Spartan

Evo1 · 05-19-2023, 05:43 PM

Just got the coach back from Velocity Truck Center in Toleson AZ. They performed a ride height check, alignment and installed the Koni Shocks. Glad to report the steering issues are solved. Not sure which of the items fixed it, but according to the alignment report, many changes were needed to get the steering where it should be. The ride is definitely better with the Koni's.

Also performed at Velocity was a radiator replacement as mine was leaking. Spartan did a "good will" discount on the cost of the radiator and it is now upgraded to the latest part number.

SouthTX · 05-19-2023, 06:41 PM

I'm so glad you got the problem fixed. I'm also new to Entegra and have been fighting a similar problem. I didn't have much to compare it to, but just felt that there was to much slop in the steering. This is supposed to be fun and driving my coach was work.

My steer tires were pushing six years so replacement was high on my list. Also added centramatics and it removed ALL road vibration. The Centramatics were amazing.

At 36k miles the shocks were obviously gone - it was like floating down the road and taking a dive on every dip. So I added the big Konis at the same time and it made a huge difference in driveability. Between the steers and Konis it took out about half of the steering wheel slop.

Just today I got back from the shop where they did an alignment and ride height and the difference is amazing. I can put the coach where I want it in the lane and it stays there.

I'm glad you got your coach straightened out as a problem like this takes a lot of the joy out of ownership. Now get out there and have a good time - you earned it.

BTW - if anyone is looking for a good chassis shop in the San Antonio area, I think I found a good one.

brobox · 05-20-2023, 06:06 AM

All coaches should be aligned when new, no way around it. Most people do not get a new coach aligned, which is big mistake. Spartan does a terrible job aligning at their factory (personal experience). Entegra builds a 40,000 pound box on that chassis changing the alignment again.
The OP's coach is a perfect example, My 14 had the same problem new that has been on his coach though how many owners since 2013? Nobody ever had it aligned or the front end checked?

A coach may feel that it is steering nice, but if one of the rear axles are out, uneven tire were will start. All 3 of my new Entegras had rear axles out by 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. In the first 5,000 it is covered under warranty if Entegra is notified first and gives approval. Everyone of my coaches has pushed slightly to the right when taking my hands off the wheel at 65 mph when new. Alignment approved. Each time it was the rear axle pushing the coach in the wrong direction.

Second owners that do not have a coach that is steerable with 2 fingers and the steering wheel is not straight, it needs an alignment and probably shocks.