Community Forums

Ryegal · 04-15-2011, 09:34 AM

#1 when you drive your vintage rv did you install up to date seatbelts?
#2 I have a problem with to much play in my steering wheel any solutions?
I love this place

JRNOLL · 04-15-2011, 12:05 PM

On your second question ,you can adjust the amount of play in the steering box. First on the steering box you find a nut with a screw slot in the center. This is where you will make the adjustment. Place a blade type screw driver into the slot,
then loosen the lockdown nut just enough so that you can turn the adjustment screw. Turn the adjustment screw about 1/4 turn to the right and tighten the
lockdown nut. You only adjust these a little at a time or you could cause damage to the steering box. Go for a test drive and see if this helps. If there is still to much play then adjust it again. I would only do this twice. Then there is to much play I wound take it to a trusted Mechanic to make the repair. Hope this helps Joe

QuietWater · 04-15-2011, 08:05 PM

On Question 1: That is one thing I have been trying to do. I went to the RV salvage yard and looked at what they had but didn't find anything any better than what I had. I want to put in retractable seatbelts much like what is in my '99 GMC Suburban. I found that an older Jeep Wrangler has the belt connector that stands about a foot off the floor in a plastic sleeve. That would work perfect. I don't know if it will fit in the MH, though, since I don't know how it is fastened to the floor. I am open to suggestions and definitely want to upgrade to something a little more secure than the flimsy seat belts of the early '80s.

TexasPSDX · 04-17-2011, 04:45 PM

Before you go adjusting the steering box, you need to inspect the front end components. Ball joints, tire rod ends, idler link. Slack in any of these could cause your problem and be a major safety item.

Hoverbug · 04-17-2011, 05:31 PM

RyeGal I agree with Ron. In the Puget Sound area I would suggest a front end check at Les Schwab. Down my way they don't charge for such checks. Happy Trails!!

Nuge · 04-18-2011, 09:42 AM

#1. Although my "Beast" sleeps 7, it has seat belts for TEN!! They appear to be made of the same material as the newer belts in my car. I HAVE wondered if wearing belts is mandatory since school busses don't even have them, but we DO strap in as an example to the grandkids.

#2. Other than "feeling" semis go by, we've had no real problems with our steering and I'm talking a 1982 RV!!!

wa8yxm · 04-18-2011, 10:23 AM

I have never installed seat belts in an RV but..... I have in a car.

Just make sure you have a good solid anchor.

One option might be to install new captain's chairs.. they often have sea belts attached to the seat itself.. now you won't have a sholder belt (I've never installed one of those) but the lap belt is way better than OH SH!!!!!!!

As to steering.. AN alignment is always in order, With very few exceptions every vehicle on the road could stand to visit an alignment shop.. A good alignment INCLUDES a complete inspection of suspension and steering components.

THEN adjust theball race (The screw in the nut someone else mentioned)

Something else that might help (3 well really 4 things actually)

Sway: Side to side rocking of the motor home as you go down the road (Think of a bunch people singing some song or another holding candles weaving side toside in unision)

Sway bars counter that.. Many older rigs have good sway bars but they may have aged...

"Wagging" think of a dog's tail as he runs toward his master) Trac Bars, the standard wisdom is to put one on the rear first,, Then if needd add the front trac bar. I put on only the front bar.

Steering Stablizer.. This is a device that tries to FORCE the rig to go down the "Straight and narrow) Tries to keep the front wheels centered forward) NOTE that proper alignment will help with this as well. I have a Blue-Ox True center. This unit can exert something like 275 pounds of lateral pressure on the tie rod to center it.. and if, due to road,load or wind conditions you need to adjust the "Center point" the job can be done in less than 30 seconds WITHOUT REMOVING YOUR SEAT BELT.. In fact.. It must be done in less than 30 seconds (There is a timer on the adjuster that is set to 30 seconds) The older True-Centers used to burn out solenoids.... They told me they were trying to figure out a way to fix that, I suggested the timer. Guess they liked my suggestion.. Wish I'd contracted for it

Note there are other brands..At least one of which can be easily adjusted, though I doubt it's that easy. There have been some problems reported with the True Center. (I reported one of them, Blue-Ox replaced it, only charge was one way shipping and labor...I did the labor)

whem2fish · 04-19-2011, 04:13 AM

on # 2 im trying to make a link but i cant figure it out maybe some one can help there is a pdf filt that starts with "samstoyboxP-30 chassis" if you are going to check the front end yourself it will walk you through it i completly rebuilt my front end the drivers side bell crank was the major problem ill get back when i can figure a link
dave

leadman · 04-19-2011, 04:31 PM

Alomg with worn steering components tires that have some age on them can also cause a vehicle to wander.
When I bought our MH I had to drive it about 90 miles to the house with the old tires on it. It was white knuckle time at 50 mph on the freeway. After the tires it was much better.
After I rebushed the driver's side bell crank shaft it was an even bigger improvement.

Wanabee FTer · 04-19-2011, 04:49 PM

A good way to check the front end is to get an assistant to wiggle the steering wheel back and forth while you look under the vehicle at the tie rod ends, center link, drag link, etc. for excessive looseness.