Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] steering problems
| [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149928] |
Thu, 17 November 2011 17:07  |
Brian Waddell
Messages: 409
Registered: March 2010
Karma: -4
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I have been working on this motormome for years and never drove it over 25 mph down dirt roads around the farm ,since I bought it.....testing things. I finally got it ready for the safety inspection we have to do here in manitoba, Canada. In order to register a vechicle here it must have a safety inspection. I put on my new tires and rims(alcoa,bfg) and slowly, maybe 30mph, drove it down the back road to the inspection place. Guess what!...it passed inspection without needing anything done to it..I spoke to the inspector and he himself was quite astonished that on a vehicle this old he could find nothing out of spec..he even mentioned that he double checked a couple ot things,checking front end wear, as being so old it had to have worn components....nope ...he said" this thing is really well put together and ready to go anywhere"...OH BOY I thought....I can hardley wait to get this thing on the highway for the 15 miles home. So coming out of town I hit it hard...it took off l
ike a shot....jesus I thought .....this thing has a lot of torque steer..I was fighting the steering.I backed off at 70 because I could not steer it at 70 or 60 or 50 or 40,,,terrible. It has 54000 documented miles since new. Ther is no play in the rear bogies....I have crowbarred the front end looking for play or movement, the steering shaft I had apart and lubed the splines...steering wheel is slightly to the right....I marked the splines before I took apart so I think I got them back to where they were supposed to be...is it possible the the steering box is not centered and this causes it to wander all over the road? The coach is at proper ride height by the manual...What else.?....Brian 77 ele 455
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149930 is a reply to message #149928] |
Thu, 17 November 2011 17:59  |
klassic kampers
Messages: 93
Registered: July 2008
Location: greer,s.c./ellijay,ga
Karma: 0
|
Member |
|
|
you'll get a lot of suggestions from many on this problem........
I do not think its torque steer you are feeling...its the steering box fighting to return to center.... (my opinion) the steering box being centered is critical....after centering the steering box, spline the steering shaft and wheel dead center, run your strings from rear to front.... adjust the toe being careful the steering box and wheel remains centered.....by reading your info you appear to know how to properly center the box and align the front......much more info on this road wander available from experienced gmc-ers on this site....
good luck, mike
Mike Stewart
1973 GMC 26' Canyonlands /
1973 B.S.A. B50 street tracker-----
Greer,S.C/Ellijay,Ga
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149931 is a reply to message #149928] |
Thu, 17 November 2011 18:21 |
bwevers
Messages: 597
Registered: October 2010
Location: San Jose
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Could this be a dragging brake problem?
Or God forbid, a wheel bearing gone bad?
Regards,
Bill
Bill Wevers GMC49ers, GMC Western States
1975 Glenbrook - Manny Powerdrive, OneTon
455 F Block, G heads
San Jose
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149934 is a reply to message #149928] |
Thu, 17 November 2011 18:27 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
|
Senior Member |
|
|
First I wouldn't trust the "inspection" the agent did. This is for gross problems and won't show a series of smaller problems which are all additive. To test the front end parts for play you have to have 2 people. First, you can open the drivers hood and do the Pre gear box testing with one person by grabing the lower column to check that bearing, then jogging the upper coupling by hand with engine running and checking for play in all the joints and square shaft before the box. Check that all the bolt clamps are fully home where they belong on the reliefs. Then jogging the input shaft about 15 deg back and forth, watch for any lack of movement or delay of movement at the output of the box (Pitman arm). To do the rest you need to have someone in the coach rocking the wheel from 11 to 1 o'clock over and over while you follow the linkage starting at the Pitman arm drag link and working your way down. Look for rocking on the relay and idler. Rob Mueller did a whole write up on how to do the FE inspection and posted it here somewhere so I won't go into further detail. All 8 bushings should be visually inspected as should the stabalizer bushings and links. Once all this is sworn good, THEN you can do a proper alignment.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149984 is a reply to message #149928] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 06:42 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
More often than not, torque steer, very evident when climbing long grades,
is caused by worn CV joints. Under hard acceleration on a grade, the wheel
will tend to seesaw back and forth. The degree of which depends on the
amount of wear on the CV joints. You will be given many suggestions here,
one of which is to do a side to side swap of the axles. That is a bandaid,
not a premanent fix. Do it right and replace both if that turns out to be
the issue. A vehicle registration inspection will NOT find this.
On Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 4:07 PM, Brian Waddell <sperline1@hotmail.com>wrote:
>
> I have been working on this motormome for years and never drove it over 25
> mph down dirt roads around the farm ,since I bought it.....testing things.
> I finally got it ready for the safety inspection we have to do here in
> manitoba, Canada. In order to register a vechicle here it must have a
> safety inspection. I put on my new tires and rims(alcoa,bfg) and slowly,
> maybe 30mph, drove it down the back road to the inspection place. Guess
> what!...it passed inspection without needing anything done to it..I spoke
> to the inspector and he himself was quite astonished that on a vehicle this
> old he could find nothing out of spec..he even mentioned that he double
> checked a couple ot things,checking front end wear, as being so old it had
> to have worn components....nope ...he said" this thing is really well put
> together and ready to go anywhere"...OH BOY I thought....I can hardley wait
> to get this thing on the highway for the 15 miles home. So coming out of
> town I hit it hard...it took off l
> ike a shot....jesus I thought .....this thing has a lot of torque
> steer..I was fighting the steering.I backed off at 70 because I could not
> steer it at 70 or 60 or 50 or 40,,,terrible. It has 54000 documented miles
> since new. Ther is no play in the rear bogies....I have crowbarred the
> front end looking for play or movement, the steering shaft I had apart and
> lubed the splines...steering wheel is slightly to the right....I marked the
> splines before I took apart so I think I got them back to where they were
> supposed to be...is it possible the the steering box is not centered and
> this causes it to wander all over the road? The coach is at proper ride
> height by the manual...What else.?....Brian 77 ele 455
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Fathom the hypocrisy of a nation where every citizen must prove they have
health insurance......but not everyone has to prove they're a citizen.
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149989 is a reply to message #149928] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 07:46 |
 |
Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Not quoted - Brian Waddell wrote on Thu, 17 November 2011 18:07
Brian,
I almost hate to tell this story again, but I had similar issues with my coach. I'm going to shorten the story somewhat this time. After a rigorous inspection, I found two parts I didn't like and replaced them. Still, keeping the coach in the lane was a full-time job. I took it to a recommended shop and they showed me all these parts that were loose. I paid them for the look and brought it home. I called Dave Lenzi to buy some of his version parts. (He could have sold me 500$ worth parts right then.) He started with the fact that this happens all the time, they jack it up wrong and everything gets loose. He said that the problem I had would probably go away if (I read the MM and) I center the steering box. <X7525, pg 9-39, fig 64> When that is centered, carry the center up the column and center the wheel on the spline. (Hint, the fact that the wheel is off center means that something was adjusted wrong.) Then use the drag link to center the relay and idler so they are square to the crossmember. Make any adjustments for centering and toe at the the tie rods. I did all that.
On the way to DuQuoin, we were on a straight and level piece of road. I was driving (strange Mary usually drives in daylight) and I centered the coach in the lane and let go of the wheel for next 0.6 miles. - Not one finger, not sort of, but really no hand touching the steering wheel for that distance. - Then the road curved.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149990 is a reply to message #149989] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 07:52 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Since I saw your coach in one piece at DuQuoin, I guess you made it back
into the seat before the curve. :-)
Ken H.
On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 8:46 AM, Matt Colie wrote:
> ...
> I centered the coach in the lane and let go of the wheel for next 0.6
> miles. - Not one finger, not sort of, but really no hand touching the
> steering wheel for that distance. - Then the road curved.
>
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #149997 is a reply to message #149990] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 09:45 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
|
On 11/18/11, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> Since I saw your coach in one piece at DuQuoin, I guess you made it back
> into the seat before the curve. :-)
>
> Ken H.
>
> On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 8:46 AM, Matt Colie wrote:
>
>> ...
>> I centered the coach in the lane and let go of the wheel for next 0.6
>> miles. - Not one finger, not sort of, but really no hand touching the
>> steering wheel for that distance. - Then the road curved.
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Bruce Hart
GMC Wannabe
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #150011 is a reply to message #149928] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 11:32 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Brien,
We work on these every day, never found a one that did not need to
have the rubber grommets replaced on the A frame.
35 years old is the problem, not the mileage.
The inspector is only aware of current units not a 5 year old with
oxidized rubber grommets.
On Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 3:07 PM, Brian Waddell <sperline1@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I have been working on this motormome for years and never drove it over 25 mph down dirt roads around the farm ,since I bought it.....testing things. I finally got it ready for the safety inspection we have to do here in manitoba, Canada. In order to register a vechicle here it must have a safety inspection. I put on my new tires and rims(alcoa,bfg) and slowly, maybe 30mph, drove it down the back road to the inspection place. Guess what!...it passed inspection without needing anything done to it..I spoke to the inspector and he himself was quite astonished that on a vehicle this old he could find nothing out of spec..he even mentioned that he double checked a couple ot things,checking front end wear, as being so old it had to have worn components....nope ...he said" this thing is really well put together and ready to go anywhere"...OH BOY I thought....I can hardley wait to get this thing on the highway for the 15 miles home. So coming out of town I hit it hard...it took off l
> ike a shot....jesus I thought .....this thing has a lot of torque steer..I was fighting the steering.I backed off at 70 because I could not steer it at 70 or 60 or 50 or 40,,,terrible. It has 54000 documented miles since new. Ther is no play in the rear bogies....I have crowbarred the front end looking for play or movement, the steering shaft I had apart and lubed the splines...steering wheel is slightly to the right....I marked the splines before I took apart so I think I got them back to where they were supposed to be...is it possible the the steering box is not centered and this causes it to wander all over the road? The coach is at proper ride height by the manual...What else.?....Brian 77 ele 455
> _______________________________________________
> 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
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #150013 is a reply to message #149990] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 11:32 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
|
Senior Member |
|
|
On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 5:52 AM, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> Since I saw your coach in one piece at DuQuoin, I guess you made it back
> into the seat before the curve. :-)
>
> Ken H.
>
> On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 8:46 AM, Matt Colie wrote:
>
>> ...
>> I centered the coach in the lane and let go of the wheel for next 0.6
>> miles. - Not one finger, not sort of, but really no hand touching the
>> steering wheel for that distance. - Then the road curved.
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #150016 is a reply to message #149990] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 12:28 |
|
Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| Ken Henderson wrote on Fri, 18 November 2011 08:52 |
Since I saw your coach in one piece at DuQuoin, I guess you made it back into the seat before the curve. 
Ken H.
Well, after I flushed I only had time to grab the beer out of the reefer as I could see the corner coming.
Matt
On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 8:46 AM, Matt Colie wrote:
> ...
> I centered the coach in the lane and let go of the wheel for next 0.6
> miles. - Not one finger, not sort of, but really no hand touching the
> steering wheel for that distance. - Then the road curved.
>
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] steering problems [message #150019 is a reply to message #149928] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 12:58 |
KB
Messages: 1262
Registered: September 2009
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
It's difficult to test the front lower ball joints on the coach because
of the way they're made. If they haven't been replaced, they are likely bad.
If they have rivets holding them on, they are original ball joints.
We'd tested our lower ball joints on the coach per the manual and declared them good,
but the coach handled REALLY badly. Scary bad, as in, when following behind I could
see the whole thing looked like it was swimming down the road. Driving it was a nightmare.
While I doubt our lower ball joints were the only problem, when I pulled off
the front end to install Manny Trovao's beautiful 1-ton kit, I found to my
surprise the old lower ball joints were completely, utterly trashed.
The upper ones were ok, which is typical.
My mechanic brother-in-law describes bad ball joints as "self aligning" --
as in, they will align themselves to every rut and bump in the road! :-)
With Manny's kit installed, our coach now drives great. You often hear a good
handling coach described as "like it's riding on rails". Yup, that's ours now,
and this is with a very cursory home alignment. Love it.
For more frontend info, and links about the Trovao-Hubler kit,
see Gene Fisher's terrific site:
http://gmcmotorhome.info/front.html
Karen
1973 23'
1975 26'
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Karen
1975 26'
San Jose, CA
|
|
|
|
Goto Forum:
Current Time: Wed Sep 25 16:19:40 CDT 2024
Total time taken to generate the page: 0.00761 seconds
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
