Safe T Steer

[lcondosta]

Installed my new Safe T Steer unit today .Makes a big difference in the
way the old Bird drives. Lee Condosta 85 PT 40 Holden Beach N.C

[bubblerboy64]

That's one of the things I may consider for my girl. I am taking the
bus in to the frame, alignment and suspension shop on the 19th for some
diagnostics and repairs. Don't know yet what is required. I suspect
tie-rods and shocks and perhaps more. I am expecting to to have to
pretty much mortgage the farm to get her back out of the place but what
do you do? I've gone this far and I feel she's well worth the expense.
I think I will eventually need springs and shackles but may put that
off for a year depending on what I am faced with immediately. I trust
these fellows so am expecting to have good results. I'll see what they
think about the safe T steer , I am certain they are familiar.

John Heckman
central Pa 1973 FC.
>
> Installed my new Safe T Steer unit today .Makes a big difference in
the
> way the old Bird drives. Lee Condosta 85 PT 40 Holden Beach N.C
>

[Gardner Yeaw]

John,
I expect you will keep us informed on the results of your
experience with the frame, allignment and suspension shop. I feel a
mechanical losness in my front end, but it tracks fine. When I hit a
bump the wheels shimmy a bit, so someting needs to be looked at.

Gardner
83FC35
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> That's one of the things I may consider for my girl. I am taking
the
> bus in to the frame, alignment and suspension shop on the 19th for
some
> diagnostics and repairs. Don't know yet what is required. I
suspect
> tie-rods and shocks and perhaps more. I am expecting to to have
to
> pretty much mortgage the farm to get her back out of the place but
what
> do you do? I've gone this far and I feel she's well worth the
expense.
> I think I will eventually need springs and shackles but may put
that
> off for a year depending on what I am faced with immediately. I
trust
> these fellows so am expecting to have good results. I'll see what
they
> think about the safe T steer , I am certain they are familiar.
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa 1973 FC.
> >
> > Installed my new Safe T Steer unit today .Makes a big difference
in
> the
> > way the old Bird drives. Lee Condosta 85 PT 40 Holden Beach N.C
> >
>

[Jack & Donna Smith]

I have Safe T Steer on my 73. Was on there when I bought the coach.
I asked Jeff Miller about it. He said he usually takes them off.
Due to an old alement I have (Lazyness), I left mine on.
The huge "Drag Link" my 73 has can be adjusted at both ends. Also
the plates that hold the steering box to the frame sometimes loosen.
Make sure these are tight.
When having the front end greased, make sure all the weight is off,
so the grease can penitrate, so I have been told.
.
Another problem with these Birds, is that as they grow older, the
space between the steering wheel and the Pilots seat decreases, and
makes it harder to get seated... (My Wife didnt buy that one
eather) :-(
Jack Smith
1973FC31
SoCal...


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> That's one of the things I may consider for my girl. I am taking
the
> bus in to the frame, alignment and suspension shop on the 19th for
some
> diagnostics and repairs. Don't know yet what is required. I
suspect
> tie-rods and shocks and perhaps more. I am expecting to to have to
> pretty much mortgage the farm to get her back out of the place but
what
> do you do? I've gone this far and I feel she's well worth the
expense.
> I think I will eventually need springs and shackles but may put
that
> off for a year depending on what I am faced with immediately. I
trust
> these fellows so am expecting to have good results. I'll see what
they
> think about the safe T steer , I am certain they are familiar.
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa 1973 FC.
> >
> > Installed my new Safe T Steer unit today .Makes a big difference
in
> the
> > way the old Bird drives. Lee Condosta 85 PT 40 Holden Beach N.C
> >
>

[bubblerboy64]

I will keep the information flowing on this. I will tell the fellows
about lifting the bus to get the grease to her. IS THAT A BB ONLY
SITUATION? Or is that common to heavy stuff? Ok sounds like the safe
T Steer may or may not be the ticket. What's a Drag Link? All
appreciated. I'll have a list of online information for the shop. I
told them I would do so and I think they are fine with it. Some
places like to think they already know it all. This shop seems to be
willing to accept some in put and that makes me feel more comfortable
taking the bus to them. They've apparently had enough experience to
know they don't know it all or, they are humoring me.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC






>
> I have Safe T Steer on my 73. Was on there when I bought the
coach.
> I asked Jeff Miller about it. He said he usually takes them off.
> Due to an old alement I have (Lazyness), I left mine on.
> The huge "Drag Link" my 73 has can be adjusted at both ends. Also
> the plates that hold the steering box to the frame sometimes
loosen.
> Make sure these are tight.
> When having the front end greased, make sure all the weight is off,
> so the grease can penitrate, so I have been told.
> .
> Another problem with these Birds, is that as they grow older, the
> space between the steering wheel and the Pilots seat decreases, and
> makes it harder to get seated... (My Wife didnt buy that one
> eather) :-(
> Jack Smith
> 1973FC31
> SoCal...
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
> wrote:
> >
> > That's one of the things I may consider for my girl. I am taking
> the
> > bus in to the frame, alignment and suspension shop on the 19th
for
> some
> > diagnostics and repairs. Don't know yet what is required. I
> suspect
> > tie-rods and shocks and perhaps more. I am expecting to to have
to
> > pretty much mortgage the farm to get her back out of the place
but
> what
> > do you do? I've gone this far and I feel she's well worth the
> expense.
> > I think I will eventually need springs and shackles but may put
> that
> > off for a year depending on what I am faced with immediately. I
> trust
> > these fellows so am expecting to have good results. I'll see
what
> they
> > think about the safe T steer , I am certain they are familiar.
> >
> > John Heckman
> > central Pa 1973 FC.
> > >
> > > Installed my new Safe T Steer unit today .Makes a big
difference
> in
> > the
> > > way the old Bird drives. Lee Condosta 85 PT 40 Holden Beach N.C
> > >
> >
>

[bubblerboy64]

Just a bit more on the subject and to address Gardners comment about
tracking. I took the bus to the shop with a goal of improving the
ride. They are the ones which picked up on the handling and tracking
issues. Now I know the bus wondered some because when I first got it
I had my heart in my throat driving it for the first say 1000 miles
or so. At some point I guess I learned to go with the flow or ride
the bicycle or what ever happens to us FC drivers. Shane drove the
bus and he felt that perhaps the alignment need checked. My point is
we may become desensitized to the handling issues and also what did
they handle like when brand new? Might be easier if I knew what to
shoot for. We don't want to just throw parts at this bus chasing a
ghost. If you get my drift. I would assume that the shop will also
have visual clues as to what needs replaced due to age and
deterioration. I guess at this point I will tell them to fix what's
broke or worn and not to expect to make this "handling" issue go away
completely. Sound like a plan?

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
>
> John,
> I expect you will keep us informed on the results of your
> experience with the frame, allignment and suspension shop. I feel a
> mechanical losness in my front end, but it tracks fine. When I hit
a
> bump the wheels shimmy a bit, so someting needs to be looked at.
>
> Gardner
> 83FC35
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
> wrote:
> >
> > That's one of the things I may consider for my girl. I am taking
> the
> > bus in to the frame, alignment and suspension shop on the 19th
for
> some
> > diagnostics and repairs. Don't know yet what is required. I
> suspect
> > tie-rods and shocks and perhaps more. I am expecting to to have
> to
> > pretty much mortgage the farm to get her back out of the place
but
> what
> > do you do? I've gone this far and I feel she's well worth the
> expense.
> > I think I will eventually need springs and shackles but may put
> that
> > off for a year depending on what I am faced with immediately. I
> trust
> > these fellows so am expecting to have good results. I'll see
what
> they
> > think about the safe T steer , I am certain they are familiar.
> >
> > John Heckman
> > central Pa 1973 FC.
> > >
> > > Installed my new Safe T Steer unit today .Makes a big
difference
> in
> > the
> > > way the old Bird drives. Lee Condosta 85 PT 40 Holden Beach N.C
> > >
> >
>

[Pete Masterson]

I had a tie rod (drag link) replaced due to worn tie rod ends. It significantly relieved a bit of wander in the steering. I suspect that after 80-100 thousand miles, most of the birds might need such a repair.

I also had a bent and jammed Blue Ox True Center unit removed and replaced SuperSteer with trim control. (SuperSteer is from Henderson's Line Up <http://hendersonslineup.com> it is similar to the Safe-T-Plus, but you would need to compare the devices to see if one is better than the other.)

As it happened, due to a wait for parts, I drove the coach without the True Center but with the old drag link to another location where I was getting some cabinet work done -- a round trip of about 300 miles. I can assuredly say that the worn tie-rod ends contributed considerably to wander and a feeling of looseness in the steering.

Once the SuperSteer and the new tie rod ends were installed, the handling was significantly better.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On the road at Idaho Springs, CO

On Aug 10, 2008, at 7:40 PM, Gardner Yeaw wrote:

John,

  I expect you will keep us informed on the results of your 

experience with the frame, allignment and suspension shop. I feel a 

mechanical losness in my front end, but it tracks fine. When I hit a 

bump the wheels shimmy a bit, so someting needs to be looked at.

Gardner

83FC35 

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "bubblerboy64"  

wrote:

That's one of the things I may consider for my girl.  I am taking 

the 

bus in to the frame, alignment and suspension shop on the 19th for 

some 

diagnostics and repairs.  Don't know yet what is required.  I 

suspect 

tie-rods and shocks and perhaps more.  I am expecting to to have 

to 

pretty much mortgage the farm to get her back out of the place but 

what 

do you do?  I've gone this far and I feel she's well worth the 

expense. 

I think I will eventually need springs and shackles but may put 

that 

off for a year depending on what I am faced with immediately.  I 

trust 

these fellows so am expecting to have good results.  I'll see what 

they 

think about the safe T steer , I am certain they are familiar.  

John Heckman

central Pa 1973 FC.  

Installed my new Safe T Steer unit today .Makes a big difference 

in 

the 

way the old Bird drives. Lee Condosta 85 PT 40 Holden Beach N.C

------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:

    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/

<*> Your email settings:

    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:

    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/join

    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:

    "WanderlodgeForum-digest@yahoogroups.com" 

    "WanderlodgeForum-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com"

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:

    "WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com"

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:

    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Pete Masterson]

Wikipedia: drag link

A drag link converts rotary motion from a crank to a second crank or
link in a different plane or axis.

The term is commonly used in automotive technology for the link in a
four bar steering linkage that converts rotation of a steering arm to
a center link and eventually to tie rod links which pivot the wheels
to be steered. A drag link is used when the steering arm operates in
a plane above the other links. The drag link converts the sweeping
arc of the steering arm to linear motion in the plane of the other
steering links.

An alternate steering mechanism is a rack and pinion, a three bar
linkage that eliminates the drag link by directly moving the center
link.

The length of a drag link can affect the geometry and thus the
steering ratio. Severe wear of this part can affect the wheel
alignment such as Toe in or Toe out settings. This can drastically
affect the handling and stability of the vehicle at speed.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Idaho Springs, CO



On Aug 11, 2008, at 4:34 AM, bubblerboy64 wrote:

> I will keep the information flowing on this. I will tell the fellows
> about lifting the bus to get the grease to her. IS THAT A BB ONLY
> SITUATION? Or is that common to heavy stuff? Ok sounds like the safe
> T Steer may or may not be the ticket. What's a Drag Link? All
> appreciated. I'll have a list of online information for the shop. I
> told them I would do so and I think they are fine with it. Some
> places like to think they already know it all. This shop seems to be
> willing to accept some in put and that makes me feel more comfortable
> taking the bus to them. They've apparently had enough experience to
> know they don't know it all or, they are humoring me.
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
>
>
>
>
>
>
>>
>> I have Safe T Steer on my 73. Was on there when I bought the
> coach.
>> I asked Jeff Miller about it. He said he usually takes them off.
>> Due to an old alement I have (Lazyness), I left mine on.
>> The huge "Drag Link" my 73 has can be adjusted at both ends. Also
>> the plates that hold the steering box to the frame sometimes
> loosen.
>> Make sure these are tight.
>> When having the front end greased, make sure all the weight is off,
>> so the grease can penitrate, so I have been told.
>> .
>> Another problem with these Birds, is that as they grow older, the
>> space between the steering wheel and the Pilots seat decreases, and
>> makes it harder to get seated... (My Wife didnt buy that one
>> eather) :-(
>> Jack Smith
>> 1973FC31
>> SoCal...
>>
>>
>> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> That's one of the things I may consider for my girl. I am taking
>> the
>>> bus in to the frame, alignment and suspension shop on the 19th
> for
>> some
>>> diagnostics and repairs. Don't know yet what is required. I
>> suspect
>>> tie-rods and shocks and perhaps more. I am expecting to to have
> to
>>> pretty much mortgage the farm to get her back out of the place
> but
>> what
>>> do you do? I've gone this far and I feel she's well worth the
>> expense.
>>> I think I will eventually need springs and shackles but may put
>> that
>>> off for a year depending on what I am faced with immediately. I
>> trust
>>> these fellows so am expecting to have good results. I'll see
> what
>> they
>>> think about the safe T steer , I am certain they are familiar.
>>>
>>> John Heckman
>>> central Pa 1973 FC.
>>>>
>>>> Installed my new Safe T Steer unit today .Makes a big
> difference
>> in
>>> the
>>>> way the old Bird drives. Lee Condosta 85 PT 40 Holden Beach N.C
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[John Quick]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "lcondosta"
wrote:
>
> Installed my new Safe T Steer unit today .Makes a big difference in the
> way the old Bird drives. Lee Condosta 85 PT 40 Holden Beach N.C
>

Let us know how it works out. I'm afraid I agree with Jeff Miller's
attitude. If we are talking about the old two springs per wheel model,
then beware.

When I acquired my 82FC35RB it scared the hell out of me and was a
white knuckle trip until I found that the steering gear box had enough
slop in it to float a Battleship. The Bird only had about 75k at the
time. When I took it in and had it checked they took the Safe T Steer
off. They claimed it contributed to the excessive wear in the steering
gear box. $685 to rebuild the box(sent to factory authorized shop) +
labor made me a believer.

John Quick
82FC35RB-T
Juniper Hills, CA