cheap handling fix on my new Georgetown 30x3

[dhind]

Originally Posted by Tbonz

jim_bob. I would like to hear more about this. My steering wheel is off to the right about 11o clock. Very irritating. The guy that did my alignment couldn't straighten wheel.

A couple photos of the bolt locations would be very helpful. I have the same problem and this seems like an easy fix. Happy to play with the steering wheel, but not the steering box.

[Jim_bob]

I’ll take a picture tomorrow and also try to get a number for the guy that did it for me. My wheel was off about 20° Not exaggerating I think it was less than two minutes to straighten it up.

[Tbonz]

My guy pulled steering wheel but there is a master spline so no joy! I am hopeful about the new idea.

[cjd10]

Originally Posted by Jim_bob

I’ll take a picture tomorrow and also try to get a number for the guy that did it for me. My wheel was off about 20° Not exaggerating I think it was less than two minutes to straighten it up.

Look foward to seeing this myself.

[AquaMan]

Also paying attention. The truck place that did my alignment said the only way to straighten the wheel was to re index the pitman arm which involved some grinding and would take about an hour.

[RJJ]

Mine was straightened when I got my alignment done. I was raised with the MH on a lift, tech had me hold the wheel straight while he adjusted something underneath, felt like near passenger wheel. Sorry I don't know what he did, but it can be done.

[Frank DeFeo]

2 months ago had an alignment at a FR dealership. Asked to straighten the steering wheel, was off center from previous alignment. Service manager said it can not be done, it’s not adjustable. Will have to take a look under steering wheel for the 2 bolts mentioned ——- Interesting, Thanks for sharing.

[bubbles]

If the F53 chassis is like mine there are no magic bolts on the steering wheel (column). The column has a key way and is a fixed steering wheel install. The top of the steering box interconnect is the only way that I have found. Waiting for photos also. Would be nice.

[Scagsdale]

Originally Posted by 1964chevelle

Has anybody ever heard of the book titled unsafe at any speed. It was a book written about the chevy corvair .I think that they should put all of the ford F-53 motorhome in the samecategory as the corvair UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED. Any other opinions out there?

Oh, please. I’ve not done the CHF for various reasons and my coach handles fine. As for Corvairs...I grew up driving one and Nader is full of crap.

[ijon]

Amen brother.

[Frank DeFeo]

On my 3rd F53. Have only added SafeT Plus and did chf. No handling problems. Just can back to Florida from New Orleans. Comfortable doing 70 and an occasional 75.
I’m with Scarsdale on Corvair. When I was 20 bought a new Corvair. Never any problem with it except for one funny (no irritating) issue. My main cooling fan pulley went and needed to be replaced. Bought a new pulley for $12. Only 1 bolt in center needs to come out and put new pulley in. PROBLEM - bolt was 2 1/2” long. Clearance from bolt to frame was 2”. Had to drop engine to remove a single bolt.
Was not happy that day, today I laugh. Anyway, me and my new wife had lots of good times with our Corvair.

[Jim_bob]

[Jim_bob]

There is a hole like this on the opposite side too. The mechanic at Josam in Orlando, took a small bolt out of each side, turned the wheel 10 or 15 deg. to make it straight.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by Jim_bob

There is a hole like this on the opposite side too. The mechanic at Josam in Orlando, took a small bolt out of each side, turned the wheel 10 or 15 deg. to make it straight.

Glad that worked for you on your GT but on my 2012 GT378 there is a non movable master keyway (not splined) that will not allow repositioning of the steering wheel. Maybe the change affects 2014 GT's and later.

[FFred]

".I grew up driving one and Nader is full of crap."

The first Corvairs handled like a VW of the time. Different than most cars , not worse.

The last Corvairs had better G loading than the Corvettes of the time.

[jk510]

The easy way to adjust the steering wheel is to simply remove and reposition the wheel, if possible.
The PROPER way is by adjusting the tie rod. If you turn one end in and the other end out the exact same amount, say 1/2 or 1 full turn, you will move the steering wheel and not alter the toe in setting.

[FrankMor]

The manual for the F53 states to pull the steering wheel and put it back on lined up. When I had the front end aligned at Rush Truck, the tech said that mine was so close that if he changed it, it would be off in the other direction. The techs who say it cannot be done or involves adjusting the steering linkage do not know what they are talking about.

Frank

[RVnut]

Originally Posted by FrankMor

The manual for the F53 states to pull the steering wheel and put it back on lined up. When I had the front end aligned at Rush Truck, the tech said that mine was so close that if he changed it, it would be off in the other direction. The techs who say it cannot be done or involves adjusting the steering linkage do not know what they are talking about.

Frank

Frank sorry you feel that way.. I did alignments for 12 years and totally disagree.. Each vehicle is different and requires different techniques...

[FrankMor]

The F53 shop manual is what I base my statement on, not my feelings. Check the book.

Frank

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by FrankMor

The F53 shop manual is what I base my statement on, not my feelings. Check the book.

Frank

Your shop manual is not applicable to my 2012 (2011 F53 Motorhome chassis). The steering wheel cannot be centered via tie rod adjustments or steering wheel removing and repositioning. The steering wheel can only go on the shaft one way (fixed keyway and slot). It appears the only way to align my steering wheel is at the steering box on top at the steering wheel shaft interconnect. Evidently Ford has changed the steering wheel alignment procedure over the years with bulletins to the latest manual.