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davidbrady · (This post was last modified: 06-23-2015 23:54 by travelite.)

Folks,

I was at the Prevost Service Center in Nashville, TN. Had some steering rod-ends replaced and an alignment done. They use Hunter equipment model R811 which helps in centering the steering wheel. I believe Hunter uses the drive axle as a reference point. After setting caster, camber, and toe, the techs centered the steering wheel by unbolting the u-joint connection at the steering box and reattaching the column a spline or two over. If the steering wheel isn't centered and is removed to re-center can't this lead to the chassis dog-tracking down the street?

Maybe this is much ado about nothing because my rear axle thrust angle is spot on.

Thoughts? Any gurus on Hunter and alignment out there?

BTW, the attached MCI document covers it, page 22. It says:

"All steering gearboxes have a center point which must be maintained before, during, and after alignment.

Performing a complete alignment to the coach, or even adjusting the toe-in setting and the re-aligning the steering wheel on the column defeats this center point feature and can lead to complaints from operator about coach steering or ‘pulling’ to one side or the other."

***patticake*** · 06-23-2015, 19:38

David, many years ago I did alignments on cars(part of working in dealerships) and we NEVER pulled the steering wheel or messed with the steering shaft. To straighten the wheel, you adjusted the tie rod ends(with the steering wheel locked in position). That is why there are several inches of threads on the tie rods. I don't think that is an approved method with Hunter.
I bet if you contacted them and asked, you would get a different story.

JD33 · (This post was last modified: 06-23-2015 19:44 by JD33.)

David, do we know that the steering box is not centred now? Seems like the issue is their moving the shaft and steering wheel from above the box only to centre the steering wheel, which some would say is for driver comfort and aesthetics only Wink

This should not effect the box being set at the centre point?
What am I missing?

davidbrady · (This post was last modified: 06-23-2015 22:27 by travelite.)

It's possible Jim that the steering column was moved prior to my ownership; my records show that the coach was aligned back 2007 at Prevost Mira Loma. I have to give Prevost the benefit of the doubt; they do an awful lot of alignments here in Nashville using this procedure. I watched as a 2015 Volvo 9700 was aligned with the same procedure; i.e., move the steering column. I was hoping for Hunter equipment expertise so I can better understand how it finds center. I don't recall anyone actually looking at the marks on the gearbox; in fact, they're very difficult to see unaided. Once I get a chance I'll check the marks.

davidbrady · (This post was last modified: 06-25-2015 16:46 by davidbrady.)

Thanks guys,

Well, I just completed my 300 mile trip home from Prevost's Service Center in Goodlettesville, TN, and all I can say is WOW! The coach handles and tracks better than ever. Any doubts I had over the shop's method of finding the steering box center are erased. They use their Hunter R811 to find center and as far as I'm concerned the result is either spot on or negligibly off. I can take my hands of the steering wheel at speed and the bus tracks straight for an unimaginable distance. There's magic going on in the Hunter equipment which I'd love to uncover, but for now I just have to accept the fact that as the operator sweeps the wheel thru it's turning range the Hunter system finds center sufficiently close such that anything better is probably picking nits. My coach's steering wheel has no perceptible play when driving straight down the highway and it tracks unbelievably straight. In short, Prevost TN worked wonders my 3 axle alignment and Kyle the alignment specialist is very, very good at what he does!

***ernie ekberg*** · 06-25-2015, 18:25

I think Paul Lazar, my coachs' PO must have had an alignment done as she tracks well, also

al perna · 06-28-2015, 08:22

David, by chance did you ask if they work on BB Smile

davidbrady · 06-28-2015, 11:28

Hey Al,

They will. I had my LXi aligned at the Prevost Service Center in Goodlettsville TN; although, I had to bring my own parts. It took new tie-rod ends. They charge $625 for the alignment. If it requires parts then their rate is $113 per hour. My advice would be to have another shop check and replace whatever is necessary so you can arrive at Prevost with everything known to be good: drag link ends, tie rod ends, torque arm bushings, lateral link bushings (panhard rods), kingpins, and then let Prevost align it. This way you won't be waiting while Prevost tries to find parts and you're sure to save a bunch of money.

al perna · 06-29-2015, 23:03

I thought they would , when I was there last year with the panrod issue they would not replace the part unless it was new . Makes sense .

halkading · 08-23-2015, 00:19

David,

Have you checked to see if the steering wheel is centered half way between the right and left stops? That is one way to check if the box is centered.

I need to check mine as it just came out of the alignment with the steering wheel off when the wheels are straight ahead. It was straight before the alignment. Having the box centered when the wheels are straight ahead is critical with the GMC.

Hal Kading 2003 LX 40
Las Cruces NM