LXi Owners, steering, ball joints
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06-19-2007, 08:39
Post: #2
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LXi Owners, steering, ball joints
David,
That's a serious enough note that I am going to add that as a file for future reference by other LXi Owners if you don't mind. Is it probable that it affects LX models also? Mike Bulriss 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan" San Antonio, TX --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, David Brady > > Fellow LXi Owners, > > I discovered something on my bus that I'd like you to > be aware of. When I dump the suspension, there's a > portion of the frame that comes into contact with the > steering tie rod, deflecting the tie rod by about a quarter > inch. > > The frame component at the front of the bus is the > diagonal bracing that's close to the centerline of the > bus, starts high up at the base of the c-channel frame > rails and diagonally slopes down to a mounting point > at the bottom of the basement. I'm fairly certain that this > diagonal bracing is peculiar only to the LXi. This bracing > attaches to a heavy steel bulkhead at the front end of > the basement ultimately attaching to a framework of > 2 x 6 box section frame rails that run under the basement > and the length of the basement. > > As I dump the suspension the weight of the front of the > coach just starts to hit the bump stops in the front air bags, > but then the diagonals conflict with the tie rod cross bar > deflecting it about a quarter inch. > > The ultimate problem here is that if your driving and you > experience a loss of air pressure in a front air bag, the front > will dump and the frame component conflicting with the steering > tie rod may make steering difficult. Of course, the idea of having > upwards of 14,000lbs bearing down on tie rod end ball joints > doesn't sit very well with me either. > > I called Ridewell and Dana Corporation and found a solution for > my front axle. The solution is to use a drop socket tie rod end ball > joint to drop the tie rod cross bar an inch. This provides the room > for the suspension to lower and sit firmly on the air bag bump > stops and it allows the coach to be steered in the event of air loss > at the front air bags. > > My front axle is Dana part number: I160WIDE TR and 161BN208-1 > My original tie rod ball joints are: 220TR115 (left) and 220TR116 (right) > > The new drop socket tie rod ball joints require a new tie rod cross bar. > The new cross bar is part number: 161TR117-1 > And the drop socket ball joints are: 161TR115 (left) and 161TR116 (right) > > Check your LXi to make sure that your frame is not resting on your > tie rod cross bar. > > David Brady > '02 LXi, Smokey > NC > |
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Messages In This Thread |
LXi Owners, steering, ball joints - David Brady - 06-19-2007, 07:15
LXi Owners, steering, ball joints - mbulriss - 06-19-2007 08:39
LXi Owners, steering, ball joints - David Brady - 06-19-2007, 09:38
LXi Owners, steering, ball joints - brad barton - 06-20-2007, 01:46
LXi Owners, steering, ball joints - David Brady - 06-20-2007, 02:09
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