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Old 12-11-2015, 12:05 PM   #161
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Ordered Bilstein shocks online and had local tire shop install them. Took 2 1/2 hours for $50. Mechanic had done 100's of shock replacements. Kept going for different wrenches. Hope it's tight!
Alignment tech says bushings were not changed to adjustable and warranty alignment was made worse not better. Tire shop alignment rack is too short for my 202" WB.
Calling the suspension shop that did the warranty work tomorrow, within their 90 day warranty period. Going to insist on them adjusting close to the specs found here on the forum. My Forester needs way to much correction to stay in a lane.
If you live near Chatsworth- see Bob at Bobs alignment. He can do the motorhome alignment. He has a 12 ft bay door and a 30 foot MH should fit no problem.
PM me if you need more details.
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Old 12-11-2015, 01:10 PM   #162
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I called up the alignment shop that did the first alignment and they said to bring it back next Friday and they will check it over. They said they don't like going high on caster as it can make it worse or vibrate.
Thanks Total Loss, I will give him a call too.
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Old 12-11-2015, 01:17 PM   #163
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Then we can call you "Shoppingcartdriver"
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Old 12-11-2015, 02:47 PM   #164
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Yes, lets see if we can get my user name change to that!
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Old 12-11-2015, 04:15 PM   #165
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Adjusted the reflex steering twice today first pulling to right small amount second to left small amount centered between those two meaning I moved about 1/4" can't tell any difference without wind blowing pretty hard,like I said before mine was already handling well except in very windy conditions there was no wear on the factory stabilizer looked like and acted like new wife said we are thru for this year guess I will wash and put cover on wait until next year hate do do it with temps in the 70's but someone said Santa is on the way
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Old 12-11-2015, 04:20 PM   #166
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Hopefully Santa will bring Boso some bilsteins so his coach will handle better in the wind.
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Old 12-11-2015, 04:41 PM   #167
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VW I hope I don't have to do that Santa is about to run out of gifts for Sunseekers and Boso's for this year now the money has to go to the firing range
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Old 12-11-2015, 05:30 PM   #168
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Boso, how did you like the difference with self-centering?
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Old 12-11-2015, 06:58 PM   #169
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I called up the alignment shop that did the first alignment and they said to bring it back next Friday and they will check it over. They said they don't like going high on caster as it can make it worse or vibrate.
Thanks Total Loss, I will give him a call too.
A high caster only makes it steer straighter. Returns steering to center quicker. If he told you "it may vibrate", I don't think he knows what he is talking about.
I do this everyday- diagnose and advise on vehicle repairs and alignments.

Take a look a top fuel dragster and their front spindle angle.
The top leans rearward excessively. When the steering wheel is turned- the wheels actually flop over. This is extreme positive caster.
They do this to steer straight.

Added caster may get you slightly excessive tire wear but only when turning- which is minimal with a MH.
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Old 12-11-2015, 08:32 PM   #170
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Those alignment specs are from FR posted by there rep and he stands behind them as that is what he told me when I questioned them also the alignment shop said yes that the alignment would almost have to be near those specs in some form never heard of any vibration problem that had anything to do with that alignment on this forum
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Old 12-11-2015, 08:34 PM   #171
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Also if those parts and alignments weren't needed FR certainly wouldn't be paying for them you can be sure of that
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Old 12-13-2015, 12:22 AM   #172
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It's a lot easier to install ft shocks with this ratchet and socket combination.
VWexpert is that the Snap-on socket designed for these shocks? How about the ratchet?
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Old 12-13-2015, 02:04 PM   #173
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It's a open end socket set that uses a ratchet wrench to operate. The open socket allows it to slide over the upper end of the shock and the ratchet also slips over the end of the shock to turn the socket - easy peasy.
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Old 12-15-2015, 02:24 PM   #174
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Thanks Total Loss

Took my Forester in to the alignment shop Total Loss recommended. In and out in less than 75 minutes including test driving. The original shop I took it to took 3 1/2 hours. Caster is 4 1/2 and 4, camber is 0 and 0 and toe is 1/16" in. Driving down streets it's centered perfectly. This shop has a 1 year warranty. I think it was well worth the out-of-pocket expense. Will go for a drive on the freeway later today to see if handling has improved and end to always correcting. Hopefully, I won't need a self-centering stabilizer.
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Old 12-15-2015, 03:58 PM   #175
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Took it for a drive on the freeway and it handled very well. Little normal correcting now even in the wind. Yes, one handed steering!
Shop mechanic said the tie rod ends were dry and they greased them. It does have a little torque steering to the left when accelarating. My installation of the Bilstein stabilizer and or a power steering issue could be the cause. They asked me to drive it for a month and report back. They recommended the Safe-T- Plus and suggested I buy it at CW.
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2017 Camping 12 trips 38 nights
2018 Camping 10 trips 38 nights
2019 Camping 6 trips 19 nights
2020 Camping 0 trips Cancellations 6
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Old 12-15-2015, 07:20 PM   #176
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Took it for a drive on the freeway and it handled very well. Little normal correcting now even in the wind. Yes, one handed steering!
Shop mechanic said the tie rod ends were dry and they greased them. It does have a little torque steering to the left when accelarating. My installation of the Bilstein stabilizer and or a power steering issue could be the cause. They asked me to drive it for a month and report back. They recommended the Safe-T- Plus and suggested I buy it at CW.
Good news.
Bob is old school.
I use him as an expert when I need his knowledge for work related issues also.
One handed steering is good.
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Old 12-16-2015, 01:10 AM   #177
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Sage, what is a safe-t-plus?
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Old 12-16-2015, 01:23 AM   #178
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Took it for a drive on the freeway and it handled very well. Little normal correcting now even in the wind. Yes, one handed steering!
Shop mechanic said the tie rod ends were dry and they greased them. It does have a little torque steering to the left when accelarating. My installation of the Bilstein stabilizer and or a power steering issue could be the cause. They asked me to drive it for a month and report back. They recommended the Safe-T- Plus and suggested I buy it at CW.
Safe t plus is the best thing I purchased for the RV! There are several threads about it on the boards! Shop around. I found a better price than CW.
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Old 12-16-2015, 01:24 AM   #179
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Sage, what is a safe-t-plus?
Safetplus.com
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Old 12-16-2015, 03:55 PM   #180
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Steersafe option

I still have the Steersafe off my old Winnebago that I can put on. It does need new springs and lock nuts as it has 75,000 miles on them. Spoke to Steersafe and they will be at Quartzsite in January when we are. They said to give them a call and they will come out to my campsite and install it for FREE. Will just have to pay for new hardware. Otherwise, we are heading east thru New Mexico to Carlsbad and Roswell and will be passing by Demming where they are located. But first, I have to see how the handling is from this alignment. I didn't consider Steersafe as an option since it's so old and had so many miles on it. But they say the worn parts can easily be replaced. Price is right!
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2017 Camping 12 trips 38 nights
2018 Camping 10 trips 38 nights
2019 Camping 6 trips 19 nights
2020 Camping 0 trips Cancellations 6
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