Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Help for new owner
| [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122404] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 18:51  |
comcast
Messages: 604
Registered: August 2009
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Was contacted by a new owner's father who will be taking their new
coach to it's home in Raleigh, NC. He's scared to drive it as it's
all over the road. I drove it and it was going every which way.
Sitting still, there seems to be no slack in the steering wheel but
when driving it goes left and right and needs continuous corrections.
It IS dangerous as it is. My first guess is the steering box but what
do I know? May even be the mechanics of the front end.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Roger Black
77 Birchaven
Burns, Tn
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122406 is a reply to message #122404] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 19:02  |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
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Check the intermediate steering shaft down where the grease should be around the spline I think. Any small rotational movement in that shaft is drastically magnified in the steering.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122409 is a reply to message #122406] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 19:17 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
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Roger,
Having flown Cobra in the Army, I would think you can handle any GMC.
I'm sort of disappointed in you.
All kidding aside, I would check out all the shocks.
Chech air pressure in the tires.
See if the rear boggie pins are tight.
On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 5:02 PM, Jeremy <jtknezek@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Check the intermediate steering shaft down where the grease should be around the spline I think. Any small rotational movement in that shaft is drastically magnified in the steering.
> --
> Thanks,
> Jeremy Knezek
> 1976 Glenbrook
> Birmingham, AL
> _______________________________________________
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122412 is a reply to message #122404] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 19:26 |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Roger,
Here you go!
http://www.gmceast.com/technical/Mueller_Steering_Inspection_Guide.pdf
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Roger Black
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 6:52 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: [GMCnet] Help for new owner
Was contacted by a new owner's father who will be taking their new
coach to it's home in Raleigh, NC. He's scared to drive it as it's
all over the road. I drove it and it was going every which way.
Sitting still, there seems to be no slack in the steering wheel but
when driving it goes left and right and needs continuous corrections.
It IS dangerous as it is. My first guess is the steering box but what
do I know? May even be the mechanics of the front end.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Roger Black
77 Birchaven
Burns, Tn
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122413 is a reply to message #122404] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 19:31 |
thorndike
Messages: 406
Registered: January 2011
Location: Conifer, Colorado
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Roger,
I had EXACTLY the same problem when I picked up mine. I was dumb enough to drive it from New Mexico to Virginia while dealing with the stearing.
First, CHECK your tire pressures. The dealership left my front left tire at 30 psi instead of 65 psi. That made a huge difference.
I have since discovered a missing bushing in the stabilizer bar assembly. That was replaced this weekend and should also help.
There is still a bit of play in the steering box that I want to take care of as well, but that is another story.
Have someone wiggle the steering wheel and see if there is any play in the steering joint behind the grill. Mine was leaking grease everywhere but I saw no evidence of any play in the connection.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Bob
Robert Peesel
1976 Royale 26'
Side Dry Bath
Conifer, Colorado
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122415 is a reply to message #122411] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 19:45 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Roger,
If you had that type of problem, this ornamental would have done a
Kamikaze run into something.
On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 5:20 PM, Roger Black <r1black@comcast.net> wrote:
> Now, Jim, I tested it on a curving hilly road and managed to get it
> back in one piece. Truly a white knuckle driver.
>
> Roger Black
> 77 Birchaven
> Burns, Tn
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
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jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122418 is a reply to message #122404] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 20:08 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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If it road wanders, ie; darts back & forth, follows truck grooves, etc. Make
sure the tire pressures are correct & not too high. Jack up the front wheels
until they clear the ground. Grab the bottom of the tire when the steering
is straight ahead and pull and push it. If there is very much play, your
lower ball joints and probably the tie rod ends are in need of replacement.
If there is not much movement, try a little more toe in on alignment. All
the adjustment you can get on the top rear A arm bushings will help the
straight ahead steering also, but is no substitute for replacing the A arm
bushings as well as the sway bar links and bushings. That is all the easy
stuff. If this does not effect the steering, carefully inspect the forward
rear bogie pins and bushings. The rear wheels can and will steer the front
end of the coach. Been there, done that. Something is worn out or sadly out
of adjustment. My 78 Royale has worn out A arm bushings, I have a spare set
of A arms that I am rebuilding but it still goes very straight down the
road. They have to be very sloppy to do what you describe. If I had to guess
what to replace first, it would be the tie rod ends. It takes very little
wear in the "center of travel or straight ahead" position to equate to
wander.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMc Royale 403
On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 4:51 PM, Roger Black <r1black@comcast.net> wrote:
> Was contacted by a new owner's father who will be taking their new
> coach to it's home in Raleigh, NC. He's scared to drive it as it's
> all over the road. I drove it and it was going every which way.
> Sitting still, there seems to be no slack in the steering wheel but
> when driving it goes left and right and needs continuous corrections.
> It IS dangerous as it is. My first guess is the steering box but what
> do I know? May even be the mechanics of the front end.
>
> Any suggestions?
> Thanks.
> Roger Black
> 77 Birchaven
> Burns, Tn
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122420 is a reply to message #122418] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 20:16 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Jim H,
Are you coming to the Western States?
On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 6:08 PM, James Hupy <jamesh1296@gmail.com> wrote:
> If it road wanders, ie; darts back & forth, follows truck grooves, etc. Make
> sure the tire pressures are correct & not too high. Jack up the front wheels
> until they clear the ground. Grab the bottom of the tire when the steering
> is straight ahead and pull and push it. If there is very much play, your
> lower ball joints and probably the tie rod ends are in need of replacement.
> If there is not much movement, try a little more toe in on alignment. All
> the adjustment you can get on the top rear A arm bushings will help the
> straight ahead steering also, but is no substitute for replacing the A arm
> bushings as well as the sway bar links and bushings. That is all the easy
> stuff. If this does not effect the steering, carefully inspect the forward
> rear bogie pins and bushings. The rear wheels can and will steer the front
> end of the coach. Been there, done that. Something is worn out or sadly out
> of adjustment. My 78 Royale has worn out A arm bushings, I have a spare set
> of A arms that I am rebuilding but it still goes very straight down the
> road. They have to be very sloppy to do what you describe. If I had to guess
> what to replace first, it would be the tie rod ends. It takes very little
> wear in the "center of travel or straight ahead" position to equate to
> wander.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMc Royale 403
> On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 4:51 PM, Roger Black <r1black@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Was contacted by a new owner's father who will be taking their new
>> coach to it's home in Raleigh, NC. He's scared to drive it as it's
>> all over the road. I drove it and it was going every which way.
>> Sitting still, there seems to be no slack in the steering wheel but
>> when driving it goes left and right and needs continuous corrections.
>> It IS dangerous as it is. My first guess is the steering box but what
>> do I know? May even be the mechanics of the front end.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>> Thanks.
>> Roger Black
>> 77 Birchaven
>> Burns, Tn
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122424 is a reply to message #122420] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 20:26 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Jim, as it looks right now, the answer is yes. I will bring all the stuff
that I can.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMc Royale 403
On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 6:16 PM, Jim Kanomata <jimkanomata@gmail.com> wrote:
> Jim H,
> Are you coming to the Western States?
>
> On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 6:08 PM, James Hupy <jamesh1296@gmail.com> wrote:
> > If it road wanders, ie; darts back & forth, follows truck grooves, etc.
> Make
> > sure the tire pressures are correct & not too high. Jack up the front
> wheels
> > until they clear the ground. Grab the bottom of the tire when the
> steering
> > is straight ahead and pull and push it. If there is very much play, your
> > lower ball joints and probably the tie rod ends are in need of
> replacement.
> > If there is not much movement, try a little more toe in on alignment. All
> > the adjustment you can get on the top rear A arm bushings will help the
> > straight ahead steering also, but is no substitute for replacing the A
> arm
> > bushings as well as the sway bar links and bushings. That is all the easy
> > stuff. If this does not effect the steering, carefully inspect the
> forward
> > rear bogie pins and bushings. The rear wheels can and will steer the
> front
> > end of the coach. Been there, done that. Something is worn out or sadly
> out
> > of adjustment. My 78 Royale has worn out A arm bushings, I have a spare
> set
> > of A arms that I am rebuilding but it still goes very straight down the
> > road. They have to be very sloppy to do what you describe. If I had to
> guess
> > what to replace first, it would be the tie rod ends. It takes very little
> > wear in the "center of travel or straight ahead" position to equate to
> > wander.
> > Jim Hupy
> > Salem, Or
> > 78 GMc Royale 403
> > On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 4:51 PM, Roger Black <r1black@comcast.net>
> wrote:
> >
> >> Was contacted by a new owner's father who will be taking their new
> >> coach to it's home in Raleigh, NC. He's scared to drive it as it's
> >> all over the road. I drove it and it was going every which way.
> >> Sitting still, there seems to be no slack in the steering wheel but
> >> when driving it goes left and right and needs continuous corrections.
> >> It IS dangerous as it is. My first guess is the steering box but what
> >> do I know? May even be the mechanics of the front end.
> >>
> >> Any suggestions?
> >> Thanks.
> >> Roger Black
> >> 77 Birchaven
> >> Burns, Tn
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> GMCnet mailing list
> >> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
> jimk@appliedairfilters.com
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122427 is a reply to message #122424] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 20:53 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Swing by our shop and use our Y fi and plug in.
On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 6:26 PM, James Hupy <jamesh1296@gmail.com> wrote:
> Jim, as it looks right now, the answer is yes. I will bring all the stuff
> that I can.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMc Royale 403
>
> On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 6:16 PM, Jim Kanomata <jimkanomata@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Jim H,
>> Are you coming to the Western States?
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 6:08 PM, James Hupy <jamesh1296@gmail.com> wrote:
>> > If it road wanders, ie; darts back & forth, follows truck grooves, etc.
>> Make
>> > sure the tire pressures are correct & not too high. Jack up the front
>> wheels
>> > until they clear the ground. Grab the bottom of the tire when the
>> steering
>> > is straight ahead and pull and push it. If there is very much play, your
>> > lower ball joints and probably the tie rod ends are in need of
>> replacement.
>> > If there is not much movement, try a little more toe in on alignment. All
>> > the adjustment you can get on the top rear A arm bushings will help the
>> > straight ahead steering also, but is no substitute for replacing the A
>> arm
>> > bushings as well as the sway bar links and bushings. That is all the easy
>> > stuff. If this does not effect the steering, carefully inspect the
>> forward
>> > rear bogie pins and bushings. The rear wheels can and will steer the
>> front
>> > end of the coach. Been there, done that. Something is worn out or sadly
>> out
>> > of adjustment. My 78 Royale has worn out A arm bushings, I have a spare
>> set
>> > of A arms that I am rebuilding but it still goes very straight down the
>> > road. They have to be very sloppy to do what you describe. If I had to
>> guess
>> > what to replace first, it would be the tie rod ends. It takes very little
>> > wear in the "center of travel or straight ahead" position to equate to
>> > wander.
>> > Jim Hupy
>> > Salem, Or
>> > 78 GMc Royale 403
>> > On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 4:51 PM, Roger Black <r1black@comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> >> Was contacted by a new owner's father who will be taking their new
>> >> coach to it's home in Raleigh, NC. He's scared to drive it as it's
>> >> all over the road. I drove it and it was going every which way.
>> >> Sitting still, there seems to be no slack in the steering wheel but
>> >> when driving it goes left and right and needs continuous corrections.
>> >> It IS dangerous as it is. My first guess is the steering box but what
>> >> do I know? May even be the mechanics of the front end.
>> >>
>> >> Any suggestions?
>> >> Thanks.
>> >> Roger Black
>> >> 77 Birchaven
>> >> Burns, Tn
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> GMCnet mailing list
>> >> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> >> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>> >>
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > GMCnet mailing list
>> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Jim Kanomata
>> Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
>> jimk@appliedairfilters.com
>> http://www.appliedgmc.com
>> 1-800-752-7502
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122429 is a reply to message #122424] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 20:59 |
klassic kampers
Messages: 93
Registered: July 2008
Location: greer,s.c./ellijay,ga
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Roger, all good info from knowledgeable persons above.........
for sure loose rear bogie pins can steer the front or make the coach "dog track".....the rear tire pressure issue is always up for debate but I run 50/55 in a gmc that's not loaded heavily...I have found that 65/75 in the rears on some coaches cause the tires not to "work" and just ride on top of the road surface.......last but not least be sure the steering box is centered when the front wheels are pointed straight ahead.........if the box is not centered the internal valving tries to return the pitman arm to center and causes the coach to drive like a 70s ford van......that is it pulls to one side but when correction is attempted it darts the other way....it also overheats the power steering fluid.......give me a call if needed to explain ...happy motoring,
Mike Stewart
1973 GMC 26' Canyonlands /
1973 B.S.A. B50 street tracker-----
Greer,S.C/Ellijay,Ga
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| Re: [GMCnet] Help for new owner [message #122444 is a reply to message #122410] |
Wed, 20 April 2011 01:24 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| comcast wrote on Tue, 19 April 2011 19:15 |
Ken, if anything, the ride height's too low.
We talked about that and I showed him where to measure and will get
him the measurements soon.
Roger Black
77 Birchaven
Burns, Tn
|
REAR ride height too low should add caster to the front which would makes it steer straighter. Front ride height too low will subtract caster and make it steer worse.
The first two things to check are tire pressures and ride height.
Fill the tires based on weighing the coach. If you do not know the weight on each wheel then start at 60 PSI rear and 65 PSI on the front on a 26 foot coach.
After that look at the slip joint on the steering shaft for play.
The next item to look at is the idler arm.
Then comes tie rod ends, ball joints, and finally the steering box.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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