New Bird

[w3www2oo]

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

[dthollis1961]

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
>

[Curt Sprenger]

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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[erniecarpet@...]

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]

[Pete Masterson]

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 ... make sure that the
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

[David Brady]

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.
>
>

[one_dusty_hoot]

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

[w3www2oo]

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. The
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

[Dan]

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






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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Curt Sprenger]

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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>