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Old 04-03-2017, 07:23 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver View Post
I know we've had discussions before on this and I need a refresher. Had 2 alignments and they were supposed to set the caster high. I paid for the bushings. It's pulling hard to the left now and I am taking it in tomorrow morning. I photoed the bushings. These aren't high are they? The first alignment shop had 3/4˚ on each. The new shop has these 2˚on driver's side and 1˚on passenger's. Though we suggestions to have the caster at 4˚???
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I'm late to this party because I was hunting for the first photo.

The first photo is supposed to be the Forest River alignment specs for a finished Class C after 2000 - 3000 miles.
I screen shot this from the forum and now cannot find the original post.

The second photo is supposed to be the Ford specs for the cutaway chassis before the coach build.

I haven't had mine aligned yet but understand I should go with the Forester specs.

If I have misunderstood, someone please feel free to correct me.

Thanks!
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Old 04-03-2017, 09:57 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by Netgain View Post
Attachment 133784
Attachment 133787

I'm late to this party because I was hunting for the first photo.

The first photo is supposed to be the Forest River alignment specs for a finished Class C after 2000 - 3000 miles.
I screen shot this from the forum and now cannot find the original post.

The second photo is supposed to be the Ford specs for the cutaway chassis before the coach build.

I haven't had mine aligned yet but understand I should go with the Forester specs.

If I have misunderstood, someone please feel free to correct me.

Thanks!
I have a copy and showed it to the mechanic at the alignment shop last Friday. They have it aligned to them or very close.
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Old 04-03-2017, 10:06 PM   #23
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Just for clarification for my old brain, which did you use and did it require additional parts?
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Old 04-03-2017, 11:24 PM   #24
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Just for clarification for my old brain, which did you use and did it require additional parts?
Used the ones in the top photo and they had to replace the elliptical bushings.
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Old 04-04-2017, 12:42 AM   #25
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Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver View Post
Used the ones in the top photo and they had to replace the elliptical bushings.
Thanks. Good to know.
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Old 04-04-2017, 08:22 AM   #26
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Took the MH into Bob's today and they replaced the inner and outer tie rods. I took a much better video of the movement. No rotation with the new tie rods. Hoping Ford will reimburse me for the tie rods and alignment. Drove home and it's a hundred percent better. Straight with no wandering. Tech said the caster is set above 4˚ on both sides. Going to the beach tomorrow for a few days so I'll post a review
Good news.
If you didn't take the old rod ends I will check them out at Bobs this week.
I am curious.
Enjoy the trip.
I just got back from 2 days in the dez riding the Rzr.
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Old 04-04-2017, 08:47 AM   #27
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Good news.
If you didn't take the old rod ends I will check them out at Bobs this week.
I am curious.
Enjoy the trip.
I just got back from 2 days in the dez riding the Rzr.
I took them home with me. Very easy to move the bolts. I can't move the new ones by hand. Heading out this morning for a test going up the coast. Not sure where we will end up, maybe Rincon, Emma Wood or Carpenteria.
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Old 04-04-2017, 11:37 PM   #28
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Drove 70 miles out to the beach and was luck to get a spot. The Forester handled unbelievably better. So much tighter steering. Wants to center with the high caster. No more constant corrections. Now if Ford will reimburse me??? Will contact them when I return home in a few days.
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Old 04-06-2017, 10:42 PM   #29
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Definitely felt the difference on the way home from the beach today. Much tighter steering and the high caster is obvious with the self centering. Drive straight down the road, but I still notice that it takes a lot of correction than I am used to. I think that's the nature of the beast with a long (208") wheel base as it takes longer and more correction driving. I notice that I have to turn the wheel more to make turns and to make any corrections while trying to drive down the road. Wonder if such a high caster affects tire wear? I think next time I have to get an alignment, I will try one farther out that does computerized with a before and after printout.
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Old 04-07-2017, 07:31 AM   #30
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Definitely felt the difference on the way home from the beach today. Much tighter steering and the high caster is obvious with the self centering. Drive straight down the road, but I still notice that it takes a lot of correction than I am used to. I think that's the nature of the beast with a long (208") wheel base as it takes longer and more correction driving. I notice that I have to turn the wheel more to make turns and to make any corrections while trying to drive down the road. Wonder if such a high caster affects tire wear? I think next time I have to get an alignment, I will try one farther out that does computerized with a before and after printout.
Sage,

I have had one alignment to adjust the caster but it was done old school and not computerized as it was the closest location that could do it. Like you, I will probably find a shop that can do a computerized alignment just so that I can see the before and after and make a really good comparison.
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Old 04-07-2017, 08:07 AM   #31
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I took them home with me. Very easy to move the bolts. I can't move the new ones by hand. Heading out this morning for a test going up the coast. Not sure where we will end up, maybe Rincon, Emma Wood or Carpenteria.
Sage, as a kid, our family used to spend a week or tow every summer at Faria Park. Loved hearing the waves crashing against the rocks.
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Old 04-07-2017, 10:14 AM   #32
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Wonder if such a high caster affects tire wear? .
Yes it can.
The tire "flops" over more when you turn.
The Ford I-beams wear tires quicker than A-arm fronts anyways.
Tires probably will still deteriorate before you wear the tread in So Cal.
Unless you drive a LOT.
5-6 years is all you should use them for- regardless of the mileage.
If they start to wear to a noticeable point (or cup), rotate them with the inner rear dually.

Went by Bobs yesterday- we discussed the issues- We chocked it up to Ford nonsense. They have a lot of quality issues right now IMO.
Good thing you took care of that issue before one of those rod ends broke. That could have been a disaster.
Parts are hard to get on some models also. I am waiting for a rear end housing on a GT500 Mustang. There are NONE in the country.

Happy trails .
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Old 04-07-2017, 10:34 AM   #33
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Sage, as a kid, our family used to spend a week or tow every summer at Faria Park. Loved hearing the waves crashing against the rocks.
We usually take a site high up in number at Rincon closer to Faria as the DW doesn't want me scrambling up and down the rocks at my age. Our bedroom slide on the ocean side gives us a fantastic view and we keep the blinds open and the window cracked at night. Fall asleep to the roar of the waves. The train traffic is minimal now and they no longer blast their horn as they come around the bend. Hardly noticed the trains at all. Raised the price to $30 a night plus a $1 per dog. Hey Total Loss, when we left for home yesterday, there were about 30 spots opening up at 1 pm. Never saw that before.
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Old 04-07-2017, 10:43 AM   #34
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In the late 50's it was $1 a week. Mom started camping there in 1922. I am a 3rd generation native. Sorry to hijack the thread!!
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Old 04-07-2017, 11:31 AM   #35
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In the late 50's it was $1 a week. Mom started camping there in 1922. I am a 3rd generation native. Sorry to hijack the thread!!
Auto Club had a article a few years ago and had photos on the highway 1 at Rincon being wood. Eventually they filled in from the railroad tracks out to the existing spots with large rocks, sand and dirt.
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Old 04-14-2017, 01:00 PM   #36
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Need guidance please

I've read many threads like this and I have no idea where to start.
I have a 2015 Forester 2861DS. Since I purchased it, I've had issues with the front end wandering, most notably at highway speeds. Doesn't pull to either side but seems like there's Much too much play in the steering wheel, need constant side to side corrections, much worse in even a light wind.
On FR recommendation and dime, the front caster camber sleeves were replaced a year ago (Daniel's Tire Service in Oxnard) and alignment specs tuned to the numbers they gave me (attached). Helped a little but still a pia to drive on the highway.
I have rear air bags, currently inflated to 80 although I've tried from 50-100 with no appreciable difference. Tires are good (5000 miles on it), inflated to specs. No difference loaded, full of fuel or water, or unloaded.
I've seen so much about steering stabilizers, safe-t-plus, Road master, sway bars, bilstein shocks - I have no idea where to start. Obviously I don't want to just throw parts and money at it but everyone I talk to seems to have a different opinion. I would greatly appreciate some concrete guidance. I live in Camarillo, CA.
Thanks,
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Old 04-14-2017, 01:40 PM   #37
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I've read many threads like this and I have no idea where to start.
I have a 2015 Forester 2861DS. Since I purchased it, I've had issues with the front end wandering, most notably at highway speeds. Doesn't pull to either side but seems like there's Much too much play in the steering wheel, need constant side to side corrections, much worse in even a light wind.
On FR recommendation and dime, the front caster camber sleeves were replaced a year ago (Daniel's Tire Service in Oxnard) and alignment specs tuned to the numbers they gave me (attached). Helped a little but still a pia to drive on the highway.
I have rear air bags, currently inflated to 80 although I've tried from 50-100 with no appreciable difference. Tires are good (5000 miles on it), inflated to specs. No difference loaded, full of fuel or water, or unloaded.
I've seen so much about steering stabilizers, safe-t-plus, Road master, sway bars, bilstein shocks - I have no idea where to start. Obviously I don't want to just throw parts and money at it but everyone I talk to seems to have a different opinion. I would greatly appreciate some concrete guidance. I live in Camarillo, CA.
Thanks,
Russ
Join the club! I too have experienced the constant correction issue. I changed the shocks to Bilsteins, Bilstein front steering stabilizer currently with a Roadmaster Reflex that was put on and removed back to Bilstein. Front and rear Helwig sway bars. Multiple alignments with changed the caster bushings each time. And finally, the inner and outer tie rods replaced. Russ are your tie rods loose like mine? There is currently a high positive caster and it is quite noticeable when turning. I don't think I want to reinstall the Roadmaster Reflex at this time. Most of the wander is gone now. Which item fixed it, I really don't know. Curious, can you post what Daniel's Tire saw before the alignment and after?
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Old 04-14-2017, 01:43 PM   #38
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Russ, there was a noticable difference driving with the Helwig swaybars. Very little rocking. One observation I've made is that because of the very long wheel base it takes much more wheel turning to make turns and that also is reflected in minor corrections driving hwy speeds.
Also, word of caution!!!
If you decide to change the steering stabilzer with Safe-T-Plus or Roadmaster Reflex, use caution when you tighten the bolts to the frame. Very easy the strip the threads on the Ford frame. Don't use an impact wrench. Same goes for the front sway bar. If you do, remove the front bumper (easy just 4 bolts) and add a nut on the bolts.
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Old 04-14-2017, 01:52 PM   #39
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I don't know about the tie rods- I can have it checked next time I wrestle with this. I'm fine with the handling, turning, etc. I just can't stand the constant left right left right adjustments necessary in the steering wheel at highway speeds.
The tires are original, 5000 miles, but it's been like this from day one.
I just don't know where to go next in this process.
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Old 04-14-2017, 02:03 PM   #40
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I don't know about the tie rods- I can have it checked next time I wrestle with this. I'm fine with the handling, turning, etc. I just can't stand the constant left right left right adjustments necessary in the steering wheel at highway speeds.
The tires are original, 5000 miles, but it's been like this from day one.
I just don't know where to go next in this process.
I would roll the MH up on blocks and look under the front end and try rotating the tie rods. Were you able to view my video? Some can, others can't or only once.
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