Steering topic....yes again

GT4six · 02-20-2014, 11:44 PM

I know there has been much discussion on the steering products available. I thought I knew what I wanted but after reading installation manuals, watching youtube sessions, calling OEMs and comparing prices....Yes, you guessed it, while bending my elbow thru the process of taking a sip of my cold beverage and a sight of frustration.... I'm again confused on what to get.

can you share what has worked for you and not work?

Choices:
1-Blue ox (most expensive, most difficult to install, could burn a relay if not done properly voiding the warranty on DYI) but is it worth the $$

2-Safe-T-Plus (medium range priced, definitely DYI. somewhat tedious to do the final install due to the drive-park-adjust... process) .

3- Steer safe stabilizers (least priced, very easy installation) but does it work and can you tell the difference?

and now I'm going to duck.......

alparmer · 02-21-2014, 07:39 AM

Move the sway bar end links to the inner hole, replace the end links with Hellwig's 7962 (optional), install a Blue Ox TigerTrak in the rear. Check your tire pressure, and enjoy.

GT4six · 02-21-2014, 10:42 AM

Yep, I am doing that

But did you add (enhance) anything to the steering?

alparmer · 02-21-2014, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKJJS

Yep, I am doing that

But did you add (enhance) anything to the steering?

No, there is nothing wrong with the steering.

GT4six · 02-21-2014, 11:52 AM

OK- may be I should just get an aligment and see if that solves it after the CHF and the TT2401 are done

alparmer · 02-21-2014, 12:19 PM

Get FR to approve a 4 wheel alignment before you get it done to see if they'll cover it. Ours rides perfectly, but I'd hate to have premature wear on the tires due to an incorrect tow in, or if it's crabbing a bit.

Iggy · 02-21-2014, 12:22 PM

Can you tell us what is your driving experience difficulty.
1. When driving highway speed is the frontend hard to keep straight down the road?
2. Do you feel on corner turns the sides lean a lot?
3. At highway speed does the tail wag when a large truck passes you?

Or ?

GT4six · 02-21-2014, 12:27 PM

Iggy,

1-When driving the front tends to wander and steering wheel feels like it has too much play.
2- yes.
3 - yes on that one too.

OldCoot · 02-21-2014, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKJJS

Iggy,

1-When driving the front tends to wander and steering wheel feels like it has too much play.
2- yes.
3 - yes on that one too.

If steering seems to wander, it very well could be lack of caster or slack in the steering box. Caster will make the wheels seek straight ahead due to the weight on the front.

alparmer · 02-21-2014, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

If steering seems to wander, it very well could be lack of caster or slack in the steering box. Caster will make the wheels seek straight ahead due to the weight on the front.

+1, could need more positive caster. Take the coach to a big parking lot. Turn the wheels all the way to one side. Start driving forward without touching the steering wheel. The coach should slowly start turning the wheels all the way until they are straight.

GT4six · 02-21-2014, 01:05 PM

Hmm, will try that once I get the coach back frm the dealer.
hopefully I can get FR to cover the alignment and minimize some of this....

thanks for the tips to both of you, points me in the right direction, I was just wondering since I'm about to invest some $ into and want to make sure I do wissely.

my style of driving is the same as some of you, betwn 55-60 and try to keep a calm ride for the fam to enjoy but I notice more things everythime I drive it so I gotta ask

OldCoot · 02-21-2014, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alparmmer

+1, could need more positive caster. Take the coach to a big parking lot. Turn the wheels all the way to one side. Start driving forward without touching the steering wheel. The coach should slowly start turning the wheels all the way until they are straight.

I would venture, that the wheels should be straight ahead within 30'-50' when you do this exercise. You can always ask the alignment shop to add 1/4° to 1/2° more than the spec or at least set it to the upper limit of the spec. With power steering, the steering wheel effort will be negligible if noticeable at all.

Mickeystamper · 03-17-2014, 07:57 PM

How can you adjust caster with a solid front axle? I have a 2013 378xl and would love to be able to set it more positive, thanks.

TURBS · 03-17-2014, 08:04 PM

On Solid axles you can adjust camber or caster with offset king pin busings.

On rare occasions camber can also be set by heating and bending the axle
But not very common.

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

MillerTime · 03-17-2014, 08:26 PM

You can do caster with wedges too, some frown on it though. Or longer or shorter shackles. Or new springs may be in order, as the original ones may have sagged

MillerTime- Future Sabre Handler!!

OldCoot · 03-17-2014, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerTime

You can do caster with wedges too, some frown on it though. Or longer or shorter shackles. Or new springs may be in order, as the original ones may have sagged

MillerTime- Future Sabre Handler!!

X2 on the wedges and spring shackles.
On our 1st super modified, we used a single cross spring and twin radius rods to hold the rh side of the axle and a single radius rod on the lh side. Could change the caster by changing the length of the upper or lower rh radius rods.

MillerTime · 03-17-2014, 08:40 PM

Wow!! Oc actually agreed with me on somethin!!
Can u believe it turbs?

MillerTime- Future Sabre Handler!!

Mickeystamper · 03-20-2014, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

On Solid axles you can adjust camber or caster with offset king pin busings.

On rare occasions camber can also be set by heating and bending the axle
But not very common.

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

Do you have a manufacturer for the offset bushings? All the heavy vehicle alignment shops I have contacted around here have never heard of them and don't know where to get them, thanks.

Mickey

wrapperman · 03-20-2014, 03:40 PM

The shop we use used shims.
After adjustment the steering wheel centered out correctly
Before the steering wheel was cocked at least 30*

OldCoot · 03-20-2014, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickeystamper

Do you have a manufacturer for the offset bushings? All the heavy vehicle alignment shops I have contacted around here have never heard of them and don't know where to get them, thanks.

Mickey

X2 Mickey. Don't know how you would install an offset kingpin without having vertical movement of the spindle. Dem Iowegians may have a way to do it tho'.

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