loose steering

[williamcharrison]

I don't know how much "wander" there normally is in a Wanderlodge but
I have noticed my steering is a little loose especially on highway stretches
where they have partially repaved a lane. My question is
there any easy way to tighten up the steering?

Chuck Harrison
Akron, Ohio
90 SP36

[freewill2008]

Chuck - Here are some relatively simple and inexpensive things I've done to
greatly improve the "wander":

- Keep the kingpins well lubed. Lube them by getting the front wheels off the
ground and run the steering back/forth during the lube process.

- New front shocks. I did this to improve the ride, however controlling the
front spring motion also reduced the wander.

- Adjust the steering box. There is a sector shaft and a cross shaft. Both
benefit from re-adjusting the preload after years of use. The job is easy
enough but you need the steering box manual, an inch-pound torque wrench, and a
helper. The front wheels need to be off the ground for this one also.

A set of fresh premium grade front tires will usually improve the way the rig
steers.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII

>
> I don't know how much "wander" there normally is in a Wanderlodge but
> I have noticed my steering is a little loose especially on highway stretches
where they have partially repaved a lane. My question is
> there any easy way to tighten up the steering?
>
> Chuck Harrison
> Akron, Ohio
> 90 SP36
>

[Pete Masterson]

The basic design of the steering used in Wanderlodges is somewhat less precise than other common designs. Clearly, this is not sports car steering. However, wear and alignment issues can cause excess play in the system.

For example, when I had some troubles with my steering (turned out it was a bent and jammed steering damper installed by the previous owner) it was found that I had excessive play in the tie-rod ends on the drag link due to wear. (The drag link connects the steering gear to the cross-rod that actually turns the wheels.)

However, even after I had the drag link replaced and the steering damper upgraded, there are still situations where the steering is troubled by road irregularities. The biggest problem I've encountered is withthedepressionscausedbyexcessroadwearinareaswherechainsarefrequentlyused.Thes​edepressionsareusuallyless-widethatthecoach,butthey'llcauseoneside,thentheothertobepulledintothegrooveforci​ngmeto"fight"thesteering.

Likewise,thetypical2"ridgecausedbyanewlayerofasphaltissomethingthat'sgoingtoupsetthesteering.

Inotethatthesepavementirregularitiesalsoaffectthesteeringinmostvehicles--notjustaWL.

IsuggestcallingHendersonLine-UpinGrantsPassORandgetareferraltooneoftheirdealers(Hendersonsisthemanufacturerof​theSafe-T-Plussteeringdampersystem)andhaveyoursteeringandalignmentchecked.Youmayhavesomewe​arissues--oritmaysimplybethatpavementirregularitiesarecausingtheproblemandthere'snotmuchth​atcanbedone.

Italsodependsonhowexperiencedyouarewiththecoach.NewerBBdriverstendtoover-correctbecausethecoachtakeslongertorespondtosteeringinputthansmallervehicles.Thi​scausesapatternofcorrectionsandcorrectionstocorrectionsthatresultinsteeringoscil​lations-- that with driving experience will fade away.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

My coach is for sale: see http://www.aeonix.com/bbforsale.html

On Jul 24, 2009, at 8:08 AM, williamcharrison wrote:

I don't know how much "wander" there normally is in a Wanderlodge but
I have noticed my steering is a little loose especially on highway stretches where they have partially repaved a lane. My question is
there any easy way to tighten up the steering?

Chuck Harrison
Akron, Ohio
90 SP36

[Chuck Wheeler]

Be very careful about playing with the sector shaft adjustment. Each steering box has a "high point" when it is centered. This high point should line up with travel straight down the road.If it is not centered when the sector shaft end play is adjusted it cannot be set correctly. Each side of center the free play is greater because thesteering geometry in the alignment is trying to return the wheels to center and this will provide the "loading. I have seen many alignment problems, especially if the steering wheel has been removed and not replaced on center. When an alignment is performed the shop makes sure the wheel is centered. If the wheel center is not aligned with the steering box center point you can have a very loose feeling in the steering. To properly adjust the sector shaft preload, you MUST disconnect the steering box linkage, make sure the steering box is centered, and use a torque wrench on the input shaft to set the preload without hydraulic pressure on the box. There are instructions in with the steering gear information in the "blue box". Most folks the think that sector adjustment helped have set it so tight that the preload is having the same effect as a steering damper by offering resistance to movement. If you talk to a rebuilder they will tell you that it is very rare to find gear wear in a steering box but too much preload will wear parts. If it is found the gears have to be replaced. Most rebuilds involve seals and hydraulic parts.

I was lucky, the alignment person was busy the day I took our Wanderlodge in for alignment and they let me check it while I was waiting. I discovered that our steering was about 4" off center. I put a mark on the wheel and had them align using my mark as center. I reset the wheel after I got home. That was the only correction the alignment needed and it made a big difference! Bob is correct, tires can make a BIG difference.

- Chuck Wheeler-

1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX

---

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of freewill2008
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 12:04 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: loose steering

Chuck - Here are some relatively simple and inexpensive things I've done to greatly improve the "wander":

- Keep the kingpins well lubed. Lube them by getting the front wheels off the ground and run the steering back/forth during the lube process.

- New front shocks. I did this to improve the ride, however controlling the front spring motion also reduced the wander.

- Adjust the steering box. There is a sector shaft and a cross shaft. Both benefit from re-adjusting the preload after years of use. The job is easy enough but you need the steering box manual, an inch-pound torque wrench, and a helper. The front wheels need to be off the ground for this one also.

A set of fresh premium grade front tires will usually improve the way the rig steers.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII

>
> I don't know how much "wander" there normally is in a Wanderlodge but
> I have noticed my steering is a little loose especially on highway stretches where they have partially repaved a lane. My question is
> there any easy way to tighten up the steering?
>
> Chuck Harrison
> Akron, Ohio
> 90 SP36
>

[freewill2008]

Good information and great post. Its worth noting that the '81 and '84 have
different steering boxes. The adjustment process is a little different for each
box, and the 91SP may have yet another model. The blue box manual is a must.

This may not be a job for the first-timer, but its not a lot of shop time to
have it done. In any case its always good to understand what you expect the shop
to accomplish. I did mine with reasonable confidence because I've done a couple
of bench rebuilds on boxes from smaller trucks.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck Wheeler" wrote:
>
> Be very careful about playing with the sector shaft adjustment. Each
> steering box has a "high point" when it is centered. This high point should
> line up with travel straight down the road. If it is not centered when the
> sector shaft end play is adjusted it cannot be set correctly. Each side of
> center the free play is greater because the steering geometry in the
> alignment is trying to return the wheels to center and this will provide the
> "loading. I have seen many alignment problems, especially if the steering
> wheel has been removed and not replaced on center. When an alignment is
> performed the shop makes sure the wheel is centered. If the wheel center
> is not aligned with the steering box center point you can have a very loose
> feeling in the steering. To properly adjust the sector shaft preload, you
> MUST disconnect the steering box linkage, make sure the steering box is
> centered, and use a torque wrench on the input shaft to set the preload
> without hydraulic pressure on the box. There are instructions in with the
> steering gear information in the "blue box". Most folks the think that
> sector adjustment helped have set it so tight that the preload is having the
> same effect as a steering damper by offering resistance to movement. If you
> talk to a rebuilder they will tell you that it is very rare to find gear
> wear in a steering box but too much preload will wear parts. If it is found
> the gears have to be replaced. Most rebuilds involve seals and hydraulic
> parts.
>
> I was lucky, the alignment person was busy the day I took our Wanderlodge in
> for alignment and they let me check it while I was waiting. I discovered
> that our steering was about 4" off center. I put a mark on the wheel and
> had them align using my mark as center. I reset the wheel after I got home.
> That was the only correction the alignment needed and it made a big
> difference! Bob is correct, tires can make a BIG difference.
>
> - Chuck Wheeler-
> 1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
>
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of freewill2008
> Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 12:04 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: loose steering
>
>
>
>
> Chuck - Here are some relatively simple and inexpensive things I've done to
> greatly improve the "wander":
>
> - Keep the kingpins well lubed. Lube them by getting the front wheels off
> the ground and run the steering back/forth during the lube process.
>
> - New front shocks. I did this to improve the ride, however controlling the
> front spring motion also reduced the wander.
>
> - Adjust the steering box. There is a sector shaft and a cross shaft. Both
> benefit from re-adjusting the preload after years of use. The job is easy
> enough but you need the steering box manual, an inch-pound torque wrench,
> and a helper. The front wheels need to be off the ground for this one also.
>
> A set of fresh premium grade front tires will usually improve the way the
> rig steers.
>
> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII
>
> >
> > I don't know how much "wander" there normally is in a Wanderlodge but
> > I have noticed my steering is a little loose especially on highway
> stretches where they have partially repaved a lane. My question is
> > there any easy way to tighten up the steering?
> >
> > Chuck Harrison
> > Akron, Ohio
> > 90 SP36
> >
>

[freewill2008]

Forgot one. The steering improved when I repacked the front wheel bearings and
set the bearing preload (my spindles are packed rather than oil bath like some
WL).

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
>
> Chuck - Here are some relatively simple and inexpensive things I've done to
greatly improve the "wander":
>
> - Keep the kingpins well lubed. Lube them by getting the front wheels off the
ground and run the steering back/forth during the lube process.
>
> - New front shocks. I did this to improve the ride, however controlling the
front spring motion also reduced the wander.
>
> - Adjust the steering box. There is a sector shaft and a cross shaft. Both
benefit from re-adjusting the preload after years of use. The job is easy
enough but you need the steering box manual, an inch-pound torque wrench, and a
helper. The front wheels need to be off the ground for this one also.
>
> A set of fresh premium grade front tires will usually improve the way the rig
steers.
>
> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII
>
> >
> > I don't know how much "wander" there normally is in a Wanderlodge but
> > I have noticed my steering is a little loose especially on highway stretches
where they have partially repaved a lane. My question is
> > there any easy way to tighten up the steering?
> >
> > Chuck Harrison
> > Akron, Ohio
> > 90 SP36
> >
>

[ronmarabito2002]

Check all the steering linkage ends. You might have excessive wear there.
Don't mess with the sector box until all that is checked. Front-end guys know
how to check all that out.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "williamcharrison"
wrote:
>
> I don't know how much "wander" there normally is in a Wanderlodge but
> I have noticed my steering is a little loose especially on highway stretches
where they have partially repaved a lane. My question is
> there any easy way to tighten up the steering?
>
> Chuck Harrison
> Akron, Ohio
> 90 SP36
>

[Chuck Wheeler]

You are right Bob, The 84 is a newer version with a improved valve body that provides tighter control. I was hoping to replace mine with a newer version when I had the current one rebuilt but they are not interchangeable. I was at the show during the rebuild, There was no wear, just bad seals. After the rebuild it will go straight down the road. But as Pete said, if the road is rutted there is not much you can do except hang on and fight it.

- Chuck Wheeler-

1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX

---

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of freewill2008
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 4:05 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: loose steering

Good information and great post. Its worth noting that the '81 and '84 have different steering boxes. The adjustment process is a little different for each box, and the 91SP may have yet another model. The blue box manual is a must.

This may not be a job for the first-timer, but its not a lot of shop time to have it done. In any case its always good to understand what you expect the shop to accomplish. I did mine with reasonable confidence because I've done a couple of bench rebuilds on boxes from smaller trucks.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Chuck Wheeler" .> wrote:
>
> Be very careful about playing with the sector shaft adjustment. Each
> steering box has a "high point" when it is centered. This high point should
> line up with travel straight down the road. If it is not centered when the
> sector shaft end play is adjusted it cannot be set correctly. Each side of
> center the free play is greater because the steering geometry in the
> alignment is trying to return the wheels to center and this will provide the
> "loading. I have seen many alignment problems, especially if the steering
> wheel has been removed and not replaced on center. When an alignment is
> performed the shop makes sure the wheel is centered. If the wheel center
> is not aligned with the steering box center point you can have a very loose
> feeling in the steering. To properly adjust the sector shaft preload, you
> MUST disconnect the steering box linkage, make sure the steering box is
> centered, and use a torque wrench on the input shaft to set the preload
> without hydraulic pressure on the box. There are instructions in with the
> steering gear information in the "blue box". Most folks the think that
> sector adjustment helped have set it so tight that the preload is having the
> same effect as a steering damper by offering resistance to movement. If you
> talk to a rebuilder they will tell you that it is very rare to find gear
> wear in a steering box but too much preload will wear parts. If it is found
> the gears have to be replaced. Most rebuilds involve seals and hydraulic
> parts.
>
> I was lucky, the alignment person was busy the day I took our Wanderlodge in
> for alignment and they let me check it while I was waiting. I discovered
> that our steering was about 4" off center. I put a mark on the wheel and
> had them align using my mark as center. I reset the wheel after I got home.
> That was the only correction the alignment needed and it made a big
> difference! Bob is correct, tires can make a BIG difference.
>
> - Chuck Wheeler-
> 1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
>
>
> _____
>
> From: "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"
> [mailto:"WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"] On Behalf Of freewill2008
> Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 12:04 PM
> To: "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: loose steering
>
>
>
>
> Chuck - Here are some relatively simple and inexpensive things I've done to
> greatly improve the "wander":
>
> - Keep the kingpins well lubed. Lube them by getting the front wheels off
> the ground and run the steering back/forth during the lube process.
>
> - New front shocks. I did this to improve the ride, however controlling the
> front spring motion also reduced the wander.
>
> - Adjust the steering box. There is a sector shaft and a cross shaft. Both
> benefit from re-adjusting the preload after years of use. The job is easy
> enough but you need the steering box manual, an inch-pound torque wrench,
> and a helper. The front wheels need to be off the ground for this one also.
>
> A set of fresh premium grade front tires will usually improve the way the
> rig steers.
>
> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII
>
> >
> > I don't know how much "wander" there normally is in a Wanderlodge but
> > I have noticed my steering is a little loose especially on highway
> stretches where they have partially repaved a lane. My question is
> > there any easy way to tighten up the steering?
> >
> > Chuck Harrison
> > Akron, Ohio
> > 90 SP36
> >
>