| [GMCnet] darting in old age [message #97412] |
Thu, 26 August 2010 23:27  |
Steve Phillips
Messages: 63
Registered: February 2004
Karma: 0
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Hi All
Just got back from a 250 mile trip. And I noted my 23 Birch is
starting to DART one side or the other mostly at speed around 50 to 60
mph.
I just turned over 100 k but the front end seems to be tight.
Question.. does the height of the rear of the coach have any thing to
do with the handling? I have it set at about 32 inches from ground to
the top of the fender well. Before I start throwing parts at it I would
like some ideas on the DARTING it can be real scare y at times.....
Steve
78 Birch
P.S. After i removed the front inside fenders no more Vapor Lock ...
Not yet any way . :-) :-) :-)
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| Re: [GMCnet] darting in old age [message #97414 is a reply to message #97412] |
Thu, 26 August 2010 23:56  |
sawnav
Messages: 5
Registered: March 2008
Location: Beeville, TX
Karma: 0
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Correct ride height has lots to do with handling, to high is bad. Also correct tire pressure based on load will help keep it straight.
Stephen Wilhite
77 Palm Beach
Seguin TX
Stephen Wilhite
'77 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] darting in old age [message #97418 is a reply to message #97412] |
Fri, 27 August 2010 01:19 |
zhagrieb
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Karma: 0
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Steve,
If you look at the frame behind either rearmost tire you'll se a slotted hole a little over an inch long. Measuring up from the road you should have 11 and 11/16 inches. Once you've set the rear of the coach to this height you can measure from the road to the fender opening between the rear tires and use that as your reference for future adjustment.
Glenn
Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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| Re: [GMCnet] darting in old age [message #97476 is a reply to message #97412] |
Fri, 27 August 2010 10:44 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Steve,
I agree with all the other posts you just received. The coach should
appear to be slightly tail end low when going down the road. Too high
and it will change the handling from good to bad or worst depending.
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
TZE Zone Restorations
77 Eleganza Custom (For Sale)
1975 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan
On Aug 27, 2010, at 12:27 AM, steve wrote:
>
>
> Hi All
>
> Just got back from a 250 mile trip. And I noted my 23 Birch is
> starting to DART one side or the other mostly at speed around 50
> to 60
> mph.
> I just turned over 100 k but the front end seems to be tight.
> Question.. does the height of the rear of the coach have any thing to
> do with the handling? I have it set at about 32 inches from ground to
> the top of the fender well. Before I start throwing parts at it I
> would
> like some ideas on the DARTING it can be real scare y at times.....
>
> Steve
> 78 Birch
>
> P.S. After i removed the front inside fenders no more Vapor
> Lock ...
> Not yet any way . :-) :-) :-)
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] darting in old age [message #97512 is a reply to message #97412] |
Fri, 27 August 2010 15:28 |
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jaholland
Messages: 565
Registered: June 2010
Location: Sweet Home Alebamy
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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A Major Problem ~
I also experienced some major darting after installing new Air Bags and Schraeder cutoff valves ~
It really worried me and when we stopped for the night I could not get the coach leveled.
The new air bags simply would not deflate and I thought that I had major Electro Level problems ~
Re-Cap Of My Pre Trip ~
When I installed the New Air Bags I Closed The Cut Off Switches To Test The Opperation ~
I inflated the bags to 110 psi, leaving them inflated overnight to check for leaks ~
Absolutly No Leaks Or De-flation During My 72 Hour Leak Test Leaving Me Well Pleased ~
I filled up the Water Tank, the Gas Tanks, Checked the Tires, the Oil, The Tranny and Radiator ~
We packed the Motor Home, Locked uo the House, My Wife and Jedidiah the VIII th got in & we left ~
My Solution To The Major Problem ~
When I Got Up and while we were eating breakfast I felt the need to check out something, so i did ~
I removed the Left T Skirt And, Lo And Behold,The Cut Off Valve Was Closed with 110 psi in the Bags ~
I Quietly Opened The Cot Off Valves On Both Sides and reattatched the T Skirts ~
Summary ~
As We Were Leaving The Camp Site, My Wife Said That The Motor Home Was Riding So Much Better ~
I Looked At Her, Smiling As I Told Her That I Had Fixed The Steering And Suspension Problem ~
So The Correct Height Of The Air Suspension Has A WHOLE LOT to Do With The Ride AND Handling ~
Awwwwwwww ~ It's Good To Be A GMCer ~
Just my thoughts of the day ~
Joe
/_]*[__][] *[__|] ~ * '73 TZE063V101887 "
"
O----------OO--]* ~ '78 TZE168V100234 "
"
" Joe & Lavelle " "
"
'sweet home alebamy'
[Updated on: Fri, 27 August 2010 15:31] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] darting in old age [message #97549 is a reply to message #97512] |
Fri, 27 August 2010 18:43 |
ejuk8em
Messages: 90
Registered: July 2010
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Interestingly, the early Toronado's were set "nose high" too (we have a '66). Makes me wonder if GM knew that the rear had to be lower to keep the steering geometry in line???
Just a thought,
Lyle
Lyle A. Rigdon, Retired Superintendent
'73 Pineapple Yellow Sequoia
Pawnee, IL 62558
Pawnee Pride - Live It!
--- On Fri, 8/27/10, J A Holland <acts238bishop@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: J A Holland <acts238bishop@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] darting in old age
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Friday, August 27, 2010, 3:28 PM
A Major Problem ~
I also experienced some major darting after installing new Air Bags and Schraeder cutoff valves ~
It really worried me and when we stopped for the night I could not get the coach leveled.
The new air bags simply would not deflate and I thought that I had major Electro Level problems ~
Re-Cap Of My Pre Trip ~
When I installed the New Air Bags I Closed The Cut Off Switches To Test The Opperation ~
I inflated the bags to 110 psi, leaving them inflated overnight to check for leaks ~
Absolutly No Leaks Or De-flation During My 72 Hour Leak Test Leaving Me Well Pleased ~
I filled up the Water Tank, the Gas Tanks, Checked the Tires, the Oil, The Tranny and Radiator ~
We packed the Motor Home, Locked uo the House, My Wife and Jedidiah the VIII th got in & we left ~
My Solution To The Major Problem ~
When I Got Up and while we were eating breakfast I felt the need to check out something, so i did ~
I removed the Left T Skirt And, Lo And Behold,The Cut Off Valve Was Closed with 110 psi in the Bags ~
I Quietly Opened The Cot Off Valves On Both Sides and reattatched the T Skirts ~
Summary ~
As We Were Leaving The Camp Site, My Wife Said That The Motor Home Was Riding So Much Better ~
I Looked At Her, Smiling As I Told Her That I Had Fixed The Steering And Suspension Problem ~
Awwwwwwww ~ It's Good To Be A GMCer ~
Just my thoughts of the day ~
Joe
--
Joe & Lavelle of ALEBAMY
Previously owned a '65 6cyl Cortez, '68 8cyl Cortez, 1973 GMC 26' Canyonlands & Now a'78 Eleganza II 26' {"The Ole Gospel Ship"}
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| Re: [GMCnet] darting in old age [message #97577 is a reply to message #97546] |
Fri, 27 August 2010 22:47 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""Hi All
I am running 8.75r 16.5LT with about 60 to 65 LB all around.
Steve
""
Steve, although all of the suggestions are great, the tires will by far be the biggest factor here. I'm not sure if it is in your budget, but going to "ragwall" polyester side walls with steel belts will give you the biggest bang for the buck on this issue.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] darting in old age [message #97598 is a reply to message #97587] |
Sat, 28 August 2010 02:08 |
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jaholland
Messages: 565
Registered: June 2010
Location: Sweet Home Alebamy
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Steve Phillips wrote on Sat, 28 August 2010 00:00 |
Hi Bob
Thanks for the tip on tires I just can't afford to retire right
now. What is the norm for netters as far an tire air pressure??
Steve
On 8/27/2010 9:47 PM, Bob de Kruyff wrote:
>
> ""Hi All
>
> I am running 8.75r 16.5LT with about 60 to 65 LB all around.
>
> Steve
> ""
>
> Steve, although all of the suggestions are great, the tires will by far be the biggest factor here. I'm not sure if it is in your budget, but going to "ragwall" polyester side walls with steel belts will give you the biggest bang for the buck on this issue.
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Steve; You're on the money with your tire pressures ~
As for the 16" Tires & Wheels I did the following;
First I purchased 2 American Eagle #0589 16" Wheels @ $114.00 ea
and 2 BF Goodrich LT Commercial Ht 225/75R/16E Tires @ $111.00 es for the Steering ~
Two years later When I repeated that process The wheels cost $121.00 ea and the Tires were &122.00 ea ~
I then put all 4 i6 inchers on the rear and moved Two 875 X 16.5 units to the steering ~
The next year I repeated the process of buying 2 Wheels & Tires For the Front ~
{ Wheels = $129.00 ea and Tires = $131.00 ea }
New to the Front / 2 yr old to the Rear / 4 yr old to the Center / best remaining tire to the Spare ~
My average Tire purchase has been ONE Tire per year and that is within my GMC budget ~
jmho
Joe
/_]*[__][] *[__|] ~ * '73 TZE063V101887 "
"
O----------OO--]* ~ '78 TZE168V100234 "
"
" Joe & Lavelle " "
"
'sweet home alebamy'
[Updated on: Sat, 28 August 2010 02:12] Report message to a moderator |
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