Community Forums

CaptainSkip · 06-04-2024, 04:01 PM

I installed a Safe T Plus stabilizer on my new 2024 Entegra Odyssey (Ford E450 chassis).

I made sure the wheels were straight ahead when installed and took it for a test ride. Drifts to the right. OK, adjust the inboard bracket on the stabilizer about 1/8". Took it for another test ride and it still drifts to the right. But, in order to stay straight on the road I have to hold the steering wheel at about the 11 oclock position. I did notice that when I got in the left lane it seemed to want to drift left, but I'm very seldom in that lane, I'm a slow poke. The road is an interstate highway which does have a crown. Is the crown sufficient to keep forcing me to the right and thereby forcing me to steer left to keep it in the lane or do I need more adjustment on the stabilizer? Or, is my steering wheel not centered on the steering system and needs to be reclocked? I know on my Jeep it's easy to adjust the steering wheel position, quick turn on the drag link and it's at 12 oclock. This is my first Ford so I have never adjusted one of these before.

hbrand · 06-04-2024, 04:19 PM

Hello, I have the same system. It all depends on wind and the condition of the road. I assume before installation the steering wheel was centered?
Tire pressures, full tanks etc.
It takes a few times to adjust it just right. Do loosen the u-bolt nuts just a bit, then use a hammer to make adjustment, tighten nuts. Testdrive.
After 2-3 times it should be OK.
Greetings, Harold

twinboat · 06-04-2024, 04:43 PM

Disconnect it and take it for a ride. You probably should have done that first to see how it handled before the stabilizer.

Dutch Star Don · 06-04-2024, 05:32 PM

When I did mine years ago, I went to a large, flat parking lot. I drove it straight down the parking lot and noticed that it pulled. I crawled under, marked the position with a Sharpie and then adjusted it. Drove it again, marked it and adjusted it. Second time solved it.

Test driving it on a crowned roadway is not how to adjust it. You don't need to be at highway speeds to see if it will pull. Just find a parking lot.

Lowflyer1 · 06-05-2024, 06:45 AM

Crown makes a difference and wind can make a lot bigger difference depending on which way it blows.
When I did mine, I first took it to the freeway, center lane and it went straight with no hands. Then put a strip of masking tape on the dash and another one on the steering wheel on the same spot.
I wanted it to track straight on level road as you never know where the wind is blowing from. Or which lane I may be forced to be on.
When it was time to tighten the Safe-T-Plus, I had my wife hold the steering wheel in alignment with the tape marks.
Then took it back on the same freeway, center lane to verify.

Worked the first time, no adjustments needed.

bikeeagle1 · 06-13-2024, 06:00 PM

CaptainSkip, your issue is part of why I am going to remove my Safe-T-Plus. Even when you get the steering adjusted to center, there will be days when you are driving with a constant crosswind, and you will have to fight against the Safe-T-Plus, which will be trying to force your steering wheel back to center, while you will be having to hold it into the wind.

egwilly · 06-19-2024, 03:39 PM

In my experience, find out how it steers first after you loosen it up. Very little adjustment of the unit is necessary to make an adjustments change. Be sure the unit is parallel with steering units, not high or low. Best to find a flat road or parking lot to do the testing.

Then drive it on the same path as before and see if it drifts or pulls. It the steering wheel continues to go off the 12 o'clock position, you have other issues with the tie rod adjustments. Once you have it dialed in, if it drifts or pulls, you'll know it the crown of the road is causing the issue.

I ended up taking my E350 to a truck alignment shop to have a full alignment done. It really helped to go big with the caster setting. Ford builds their E series at some known alignment setting on all of the units without regard to what is being built on the cutaway chassis (Carry-all, shuttle bus, camper). The RV builders seldom reset the alignment, leaving that to the dealers.

LETMGROW · 06-22-2024, 01:08 PM

A common mistake is for an installer to set the steering wheel centered then installing the Safe T Stop unit. Before attempting the installation test drive the vehicle and confirm the steering wheel is perfectly centered. Who knows, the wheel may have been off for a turn signal switch replacement or some other repair. There should be a factory mark on the steering shaft and the spline housing on the wheel. These marks should align with each other. This is where the steering gear high point is in the steering gear box. Often times front end alignments can be done and the toe in is set but the steering wheel is off center because the tech adjusted one wheel more than the other. This is corrected most easily by having the vehicle on an alignment machine with a tech who knows how and why a steering wheel is perfectly centered. Parts changes such as a drag link or tie rod end can throw the wheel off center if the parts were installed and adjusted incorrectly.
If a vehicle tracks straight down the highway on a level surface with the wheel centered it should do the same after the Safe T Plus is installed. If not the Safe T Plus must be tweaked a bit by moving the U bolt clamps slightly until everything is in alignment.

F4Gary · 06-22-2024, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikeeagle1

CaptainSkip, your issue is part of why I am going to remove my Safe-T-Plus. Even when you get the steering adjusted to center, there will be days when you are driving with a constant crosswind, and you will have to fight against the Safe-T-Plus, which will be trying to force your steering wheel back to center, while you will be having to hold it into the wind.

I don't see this as a problem. You get used to it as the day goes on.
It's not that big of a centering force with a wind correction.

LETMGROW · 06-22-2024, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F4Gary

I don't see this as a problem. You get used to it as the day goes on.
It's not that big of a centering force with a wind correction.

That's true Gary. In fact I've always thought the Safe T Plus helped in a cross wind. Not all coaches are created equally though.

Echo-D · 06-26-2024, 11:56 PM

CaptainSkip and Responders to his post:

I am leaning toward selling a 36' 2015 Class A that we love dearly but I can't stand driving it because of the excessive play in the steering. I am constantly back and forth on the steering wheel to keep the coach in a straight line on any interstate. Shortly after buying it I had the Saft T Plus installed by the company in Georgia. Is my problem possibly related to your steering question and responses? Or is my problem me and I simply need to return to a Class C? Thanks in advance.

F4Gary · 06-28-2024, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo-D

CaptainSkip and Responders to his post:

I am leaning toward selling a 36' 2015 Class A that we love dearly but I can't stand driving it because of the excessive play in the steering. I am constantly back and forth on the steering wheel to keep the coach in a straight line on any interstate. Shortly after buying it I had the Saft T Plus installed by the company in Georgia. Is my problem possibly related to your steering question and responses? Or is my problem me and I simply need to return to a Class C? Thanks in advance.

Sounds like you need a front end alignment with more caster. That helped me and then the SafeTPlus helped even more.