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Old 07-30-2015, 08:59 AM   #21
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Originally Posted by papap View Post
Did not know front end alignments were cover under warranty?
x2 I did not know this
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Old 07-30-2015, 12:32 PM   #22
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3170ds

I have about 9000 miles on mine now and run 75 lbs in air bags . it made a huge difference to the better. I had a 26 winn w chevy chassis and it wondered badly
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Old 07-30-2015, 02:26 PM   #23
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Just got home from another shakedown trip. Question I have for all the Ford chassis Foresters and Sunseekers is, are they all loose in the front end when driving down the highway? We had a 1997 Minnie Winne, E-350 and this new Forester is as loose as our old unit. Just seems like way to much play in the steering to be comfortable. I have seen from other post the Chevy chassis is much better but I am hoping there is something we can do to make the Ford be more responsive. Thx for any input on this matter.
Could be the 1997 had gear steering and.the new ones have rack and pinion. It is easy to over steer
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Old 07-30-2015, 05:28 PM   #24
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Could be the 1997 had gear steering and.the new ones have rack and pinion. It is easy to over steer
The problem is, I have to turn the wheel more than any other vehicles I drive before it responds, just like the old vehicles back in the day with worn out steering boxes, tie rod ends, etc.
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Old 07-30-2015, 09:19 PM   #25
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Could be the 1997 had gear steering and.the new ones have rack and pinion. It is easy to over steer

2016 here and no rack and pinion steering. I wish.
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Old 07-30-2015, 11:29 PM   #26
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2016 here and no rack and pinion steering. I wish.
Steve, are you satisfied with the steering on yours or will you be doing any upgrades?
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Old 07-31-2015, 07:28 AM   #27
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I think most of the handling problems I am having are caused by the wind ???
I am running 60lbs in rear bags,,, maybe I should try a little more ???
2013 2500 Sunseeker,,, with less that 2k miles !!!
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Old 08-08-2015, 08:50 AM   #28
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Had all the same problems when we purchased an '09 E-450 at the end of 2012, it had 15m miles on it. It had 3 owners in 3 years. Scary handling and dangerous.
Dealer paid for an alignment which helped except on windy days, still scary.
Spent a lot of time researching forums because I was a total newbie. Found a guy called "Harvard" on the IRV2 form, look him up as all the front end info is there. Castor settings are set at more than +5 degrees using Ingalls bushings
p/n 59400. Sage advice from him and what a difference. Since then other handling improvements include: Bilstein shocks and Bilstein steering damper,
Hellwig sway bars front and rear. Fours ago I didn't even know what sway bars were, amazing improvment. Also put in a 5Star Tune which is great for the interstates.
It is a pleasure to drive and I am thankful for these forums and the expereiences that others share.
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Old 08-08-2015, 09:47 AM   #29
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I went to an alignment shop that specializes in large trucks. I had my dealer authorize the work prior to going. Since I had the complaint right from the start they paid for it.

Ditto


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Old 08-08-2015, 09:49 AM   #30
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Too late for me I guess !!!
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Old 08-12-2015, 08:40 PM   #31
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I found out that the factory front steering stabilizer was defective on our 2014 3170. It had an inch of free play on the shock which sort of defeats the purpose of a stabilizer. I could have warrantied it but I was already replacing it with an aftermarket unit which made a lot of difference, it should have.

It might be worth checking the factory stabilizer if you're still using it.

I also think a rear track bar would help a lot too. Especially with wind sway and tail wagging. 22.5" tires and a heavy duty truck suspension would help too but, it is what it is.
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Old 08-14-2015, 07:17 AM   #32
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Benagi quote:
The problem is, I have to turn the wheel more than any other vehicles I drive before it responds, just like the old vehicles back in the day with worn out steering boxes, tie rod


Ben, could your lack of response come from the longer wheelbase?
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Old 08-15-2015, 12:42 AM   #33
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Steve, are you satisfied with the steering on yours or will you be doing any upgrades?

I prob will do some upgrades although don't know what yet. I have a $700 service credit. Anyway, I am ok with steering. It is what it is. I put 2500 miles on it last week and driving was fine. I don't like the excess play that is exacerbated by cross wind. I don't like the wandering either. I think a supersteer would. help with that.

I'll tell you what I do like that helped with oversteer an that is changing pressure on my rear bags realtime. If I got a lot of sway I would tighten those bags up to 85 lbs and it eliminated it almost completely.
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Old 08-15-2015, 12:59 AM   #34
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Steve, thx for the reply. Looks like a nice place to camp in Oregon from your pics. Glad your back safely. Also like your post about CW treating you well.
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Old 08-17-2015, 06:07 PM   #35
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A Roadmaster Steering Stabilizer solved all of my front end handling problems. I did a write up on the forum with photographs about two years ago.
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Old 08-17-2015, 08:11 PM   #36
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Thx for all the replies fellow RV'ers. Deaver, went to the link and printed it. Will take our unit in sometime soon and try those settings and get back with a report afterwards.
I have a 3050 Sunseeker and early on my unit handled terribly! Ever since I made sure I had the correct pressure in all the tires and approx 70 psi in the air bags, things have been pretty good. I now have over 7000 miles and have no reason to take it in for alignment at this point.

YMMV

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Old 08-17-2015, 08:22 PM   #37
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Just took the 3051s in today for an alignment, I run 80 psi in rear and 75 psi in front with 65 psi in bags, will see if alignment helps, may put heavier front sway bar on also.
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Old 09-10-2015, 09:07 PM   #38
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Just took the 3051s in today for an alignment, I run 80 psi in rear and 75 psi in front with 65 psi in bags, will see if alignment helps, may put heavier front sway bar on also.

Any update?


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Old 09-11-2015, 07:46 PM   #39
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Any update?


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Yes have a up date ,Get the alignment done ASAP!!! night and day difference, one hand steering in cross wind and no movement when being passed by big rigs.
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Old 09-12-2015, 06:34 PM   #40
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Just wondering. If an alignment makes that much difference in the drivability why doesn't FR just complete an alignment as part of their modifications before delivery?
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