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New Bird - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: New Bird (/showthread.php?tid=3458) |
New Bird - w3www2oo - 09-18-2006 06:44 Well, I finally did it and I'm now an offical BB owner. Picked her (87FC35) up over the weekend and survived the maiden voyage. Now the questions begin: Please Help!!! Actually, only one is of any importance. The tracking on her seems a bit strange, but it could just be me. Cruising at about 60-65MPH up US 27 in Central FL, I had an issue that felt like a gust of wind hit me and was pushing me off the road. It was a fight to bring it back on track. ( i think it was referred to in a previous post as "Darting"). I'm sure you know, one of those that causes your breathing to stop. Then it happened again, and it was dead calm out. I also noticed the steering was a bit sloppy. It seemed to Wander around a bit. The tires are new Michlein 12R x 22.5 XRZs (might be a problem if they are not as good as XR2s). I have read several previous posts regarding the front end issues and don't know which is most likely. The coach has 104K miles on it with the last alignment done at approximately 50K. Could it be the King Pin lubrication, steering box, shocks or what or all. Where should I concentrate first? At least the ZF worked well. It almost snapped my neck a few times shifting and talk about power. I was not expecting that kind of acceleration out of a 34,000 pound vehicle. Everything seemed to function fine based on a newbies standpoint. Temps stayed low (engine/transmission wise), even on a 95 degree day. My co-pilot would tend to disagree concerning the interior temps though. Anyhow, we are looking forward to meeting all of you fine folks at the RIV. I just need to get my act together and sign up, or figure out how to. Don & Judy Mohney 87FC35 New Bird - dthollis1961 - 09-18-2006 07:57 Congrats on your new 'Bird! On my '78, I found the steering box bolts loose where it mounts to the frame(one was gone), lots of bolts there. The '84 I have now had the Koni adjustable shocks installed in the loosest position. I tightened them to about 3/4 tight and that helped alot. On both 'birds, I found the drag link needed to be tightened. David Hollis 84 FC35 Springfield,IL Could it be the King > Pin lubrication, steering box, shocks or what or all. Where should I > concentrate first? > > Don & Judy Mohney > 87FC35 > New Bird - Curt Sprenger - 09-18-2006 08:13 Don & Judy, Congrats on the new-to-you Bluebird! Welcome to the Bird family! Based on previous experience... The first thing is tire pressure. Make sure the tire pressure is what is should be for your tires and coach weight. The second thing to do is tighten up all the bolts starting with the steering gear box and work your way to the Bird frame. Looking up from under the coach, the bolts will appear to be tight. I'll bet you will find most will take a turn or two. Get out the wrenches and check them. The 3rd step is to Lube the King Pins. Then take the Bird for a test drive. You probable need an alignment but only after step 1, 2 & 3. Balance the front tires at the same time. Good luck. Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38 8V92, Anaheim Hills, Calif. w3www2oo wrote: >Well, I finally did it and I'm now an offical BB owner. Picked her >(87FC35) up over the weekend and survived the maiden voyage. > >Now the questions begin: Please Help!!! > >Actually, only one is of any importance. The tracking on her seems a >bit strange, but it could just be me. Cruising at about 60-65MPH up >US 27 in Central FL, I had an issue that felt like a gust of wind hit >me and was pushing me off the road. It was a fight to bring it back >on track. ( i think it was referred to in a previous post >as "Darting"). I'm sure you know, one of those that causes your >breathing to stop. Then it happened again, and it was dead calm out. >I also noticed the steering was a bit sloppy. It seemed to Wander >around a bit. The tires are new Michlein 12R x 22.5 XRZs (might be a >problem if they are not as good as XR2s). > >I have read several previous posts regarding the front end issues and >don't know which is most likely. The coach has 104K miles on it with >the last alignment done at approximately 50K. Could it be the King >Pin lubrication, steering box, shocks or what or all. Where should I >concentrate first? > >At least the ZF worked well. It almost snapped my neck a few times >shifting and talk about power. I was not expecting that kind of >acceleration out of a 34,000 pound vehicle. Everything seemed to >function fine based on a newbies standpoint. Temps stayed low >(engine/transmission wise), even on a 95 degree day. My co-pilot >would tend to disagree concerning the interior temps though. > >Anyhow, we are looking forward to meeting all of you fine folks at >the RIV. I just need to get my act together and sign up, or figure >out how to. > >Don & Judy Mohney >87FC35 > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > New Bird - erniecarpet@... - 09-18-2006 10:23 Don, my 84 35 FC would do the same thing about the shaking of the steering wheel. I think it was due to low rpms and maybe the steering pump was a little light for the front end of the coach. Ernie Ekberg 83 PT40 Livingston, Montana [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] New Bird - Pete Masterson - 09-18-2006 10:46 On Sep 18, 2006, at 11:44 AM, w3www2oo wrote: > Well, I finally did it and I'm now an offical BB owner. Picked her > (87FC35) up over the weekend and survived the maiden voyage. > Congratulations on your purchase! > Now the questions begin: Please Help!!! > > <snip> It seemed to Wander > around a bit. That's why it's called a Wander-lodge shocks are good and that all the front end components are aligned and tightened to spec. Remember, an '87 is 19 years old and both wear and various mishaps over the years may have an impact. A heavy-equipment front end specialist (or a Bluebird school bus distributor) should be able to assist you in evaluating the front end issues. 54k since the last front end alignment is a bit lengthy -- but it depends on how the vehicle was treated. However, this isn't a sports car -- and there's considerably more wander than is usual in smaller vehicles. Some feel that a steering stabilizer, such as the Blue Ox TruCenter system, will improve handling. The previous owner of my unit installed an adjustable TruCenter system that allows me to "center" the steering (while underway) to account for road conditions. Since I don't know what it's like to drive without the system, I can't say how much improvement it gives. Some of it is simply getting used to the way this large vehicle handles on the road. Heart-stopping moments will decrease over time as you gain experience. > <snip>Temps stayed low > (engine/transmission wise), even on a 95 degree day. My co-pilot > would tend to disagree concerning the interior temps though. Fire up the genny and turn on those roof airs... it should cool things off reasonably well. If the sun is beating in the front window, though, it's a bit hard to feel cool unless the dash-AC is working. That's been discussed on the list and it's an expensive repair, if that system isn't working. Pete Masterson aeonix1@... '95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 42' El Sobrante, CA New Bird - David Brady - 09-18-2006 11:02 Don, Congratulations on your new purchase. There's been quite a bit written on the list about wear in the bolts that attach the panhard rod on the FC's rear axle. You can see it here: http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/40441402 Do a search in the wanderlodgeforum archives for panhard and you'll find quite a bit. Good luck, David B '02 LXi, Smokey Va w3www2oo wrote: > > Actually, only one is of any importance. The tracking on her seems a > bit strange, but it could just be me. Cruising at about 60-65MPH up > US 27 in Central FL, I had an issue that felt like a gust of wind hit > me and was pushing me off the road. It was a fight to bring it back > on track. > > New Bird - one_dusty_hoot - 09-18-2006 11:45 Congratulations Don, many happy journeys in your new to you 87FC35 Bird. Lots of technical mentioned previously enough to keep you busy checking so I won't get into mechanical issues unless of course you hollar again. One thing about the Blue Bird different from your personal car, pick-up, or what other transportation you have been used to is steering, and it may even be called wandering. Your butt sits in front of the front wheels instead of behind the wheels as you would sit traditionly. Your position to the road senses a change is necessary and you DO make the change, but you have over-correted because you have steered the way you always have. So you over-correct one way, then the other way, zig zagging down the highway. To overcome this, make gradual changes, wait, change, wait till you become accustomed to the new way of control. Bob Janes, 87FC35(a sister to your coach)Greenville, SC New Bird - w3www2oo - 09-18-2006 13:58 Thank you all for the kind words and suggestions. I'll look into all that was mentioned. Some of what I'm going through could be over reacting. But, I've noticed when you turn 60, that's getting to be quite common. only thing that convinced me that there may be a problem ( I failed to mention this part) was when turning a slow (5-10+/- mph) sharp corner, the steering wheel starts to shake or oscillate. Sometime this week I'll check the bolts, drag link and look for loose parts. Afterwards, I'll check things out with a quick "shake down" run up to River Ranch this weekend. Don & Judy Mohney Jensen Beach, FL 87FC35 New Bird - Dan - 09-18-2006 14:53 Don, I don't think that steering is normal. How was it a fight to bring it back on track? Dan 81FCRB33 ----- Original Message ----- From: w3www2oo To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 1:44 PM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] New Bird Well, I finally did it and I'm now an offical BB owner. Picked her (87FC35) up over the weekend and survived the maiden voyage. Now the questions begin: Please Help!!! Actually, only one is of any importance. The tracking on her seems a bit strange, but it could just be me. Cruising at about 60-65MPH up US 27 in Central FL, I had an issue that felt like a gust of wind hit me and was pushing me off the road. It was a fight to bring it back on track. ( i think it was referred to in a previous post as "Darting"). I'm sure you know, one of those that causes your breathing to stop. Then it happened again, and it was dead calm out. I also noticed the steering was a bit sloppy. It seemed to Wander around a bit. The tires are new Michlein 12R x 22.5 XRZs (might be a problem if they are not as good as XR2s). I have read several previous posts regarding the front end issues and don't know which is most likely. The coach has 104K miles on it with the last alignment done at approximately 50K. Could it be the King Pin lubrication, steering box, shocks or what or all. Where should I concentrate first? At least the ZF worked well. It almost snapped my neck a few times shifting and talk about power. I was not expecting that kind of acceleration out of a 34,000 pound vehicle. Everything seemed to function fine based on a newbies standpoint. Temps stayed low (engine/transmission wise), even on a 95 degree day. My co-pilot would tend to disagree concerning the interior temps though. Anyhow, we are looking forward to meeting all of you fine folks at the RIV. I just need to get my act together and sign up, or figure out how to. Don & Judy Mohney 87FC35 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.4/449 - Release Date: 9/15/2006 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] New Bird - Curt Sprenger - 09-18-2006 15:21 Steer with one hand...interesting how that helps... Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38 8V92, Anaheim Hills, Calif. one_dusty_hoot wrote: >Congratulations Don, many happy journeys in your new to you >87FC35 Bird. > >Lots of technical mentioned previously enough to keep you >busy checking so I won't get into mechanical issues unless >of course you hollar again. > >One thing about the Blue Bird different from your personal >car, pick-up, or what other transportation you have been >used to is steering, and it may even be called wandering. > >Your butt sits in front of the front wheels instead of behind >the wheels as you would sit traditionly. Your position to the >road senses a change is necessary and you DO make the change, >but you have over-correted because you have steered the way you >always have. So you over-correct one way, then the other way, >zig zagging down the highway. > >To overcome this, make gradual changes, wait, change, wait till >you become accustomed to the new way of control. > >Bob Janes, 87FC35(a sister to your coach)Greenville, SC > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > |