| [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149994] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 08:59  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Hi Brian,
Besides all the normal front end checks, don't overlook the tires and proper tire pressure. A steel sidewall tire and/or too much inflation pressure might cause what you feel. Also, check the front sway bar bushings both where the sway bar mounts to the frame and at the ends where it mounts to the lower A arms. Make sure all four of the rear bogies are parallel with the frame. It is not uncommon for one or more to be bent. Look carefully at the upper A arm mounting bolts to make sure both cam washers are in place and the bolts are tight. Do the same at the lower A arm mounting points but there check for play in the bushings. You won't likely be able to feel any slop by hand as the torsion bar is twisting the lower A arm with enough force that you cannot "wiggle" by grabbing the tire in many cases. Use a jack on the lower A arm right where it mounts to the frame and see if you can observe any movement. Look carefully at the lower ball joint mounts to make sure they ar
e not cracked or loose. I assume you have checked the alignment to make sure you have at least some positive caster and that it is about the same on both sides. If you are unsure, safely jack up the coach, block the frame, remove the front tire, loosen the bolt holding the rear upper A arm and turn the cams so the fat part of the cam faces away from the frame. That will give you as much caster as you can get. The rear upper A arm cam on each side should be in about the same position unless you have had frame damage at some point.
Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
Visitors always welcome!
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
541-592-5360
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Message: 21
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:11:56 -0700
From: Brian Waddell <sperline1@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] steering problems
To: gnmc list <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Message-ID: <COL102-W44F5FA2BBB1C49716C2D4BE4C40@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Your suggestion of systematically going through the components is what I will try ....thanks for now
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149995 is a reply to message #149994] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 09:13  |
Dolph Santorine
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
Karma: -41
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Senior Member |
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Was there more than one sway bar?
While putting in my front end, the bushings recommended for the front sway bar are different from those installed.
I replaced what was there because the recommended cross reference was too small.
Thanks.
Dolph
On Nov 18, 2011, at 9:59 AM, Work Jerry wrote:
> Hi Brian,
>
> Besides all the normal front end checks, don't overlook the tires and proper tire pressure. A steel sidewall tire and/or too much inflation pressure might cause what you feel. Also, check the front sway bar bushings both where the sway bar mounts to the frame and at the ends where it mounts to the lower A arms. Make sure all four of the rear bogies are parallel with the frame. It is not uncommon for one or more to be bent. Look carefully at the upper A arm mounting bolts to make sure both cam washers are in place and the bolts are tight. Do the same at the lower A arm mounting points but there check for play in the bushings. You won't likely be able to feel any slop by hand as the torsion bar is twisting the lower A arm with enough force that you cannot "wiggle" by grabbing the tire in many cases. Use a jack on the lower A arm right where it mounts to the frame and see if you can observe any movement. Look carefully at the lower ball joint mounts to make sure they
ar
> e not cracked or loose. I assume you have checked the alignment to make sure you have at least some positive caster and that it is about the same on both sides. If you are unsure, safely jack up the coach, block the frame, remove the front tire, loosen the bolt holding the rear upper A arm and turn the cams so the fat part of the cam faces away from the frame. That will give you as much caster as you can get. The rear upper A arm cam on each side should be in about the same position unless you have had frame damage at some point.
>
> Jerry
> Jerry Work
> The Dovetail Joint
> Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
> Visitors always welcome!
> glwork@mac.com
> http://jerrywork.com
> 541-592-5360
>
> -----------------------------
> Message: 21
> Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:11:56 -0700
> From: Brian Waddell <sperline1@hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] steering problems
> To: gnmc list <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
> Message-ID: <COL102-W44F5FA2BBB1C49716C2D4BE4C40@phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>
> Your suggestion of systematically going through the components is what I will try ....thanks for now
> -------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149996 is a reply to message #149995] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 09:34 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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| Dolph Santorine wrote on Fri, 18 November 2011 09:13 |
Was there more than one sway bar?
While putting in my front end, the bushings recommended for the front sway bar are different from those installed.
I replaced what was there because the recommended cross reference was too small.
Thanks.
Dolph
|
The OEM front sway bars were, afaik, all the same diameter. There are aftermarket larger sway bars.. you might confirm with JimK that the one he offers is larger diameter.
http://appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/644
Other GMC vendors do or did offer them as well. Sirum, Caspro and others
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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