Hendersons Line Up

[Pete Masterson]

One (left front) shock mount was cracked. The coach has about 130,000
miles. Henderson's checked the other factors and determined that the
shocks did not need to be replaced.

The pull to the right was due to the True Center system that was bent
and jammed. Once it was removed and the new tire installed, to
replace the out-of-round one, (before the other repairs could be made
due to waiting for parts), I drove 300 miles round trip to another
vendor for installation of a computer desk that was scheduled. Upon
return to Hendersons, the other work was done.

During the 300 mile trip, the coach handled "100% better" than it had
since I originally took delivery. There was only a hint of 'wander'
that I attribute to (probably) the worn drag link end. After the new
drag link and Safe-T-Plus were installed, the wander was eliminated.
I can remove my hand from the wheel (briefly) and the coach will
(now) track straight down the highway (as most vehicles will).

I don't find the coach to be overly sensitive to steering input --
I've also learned to give the system time to respond to inputs and
this may be a reflection of my steering technique based on my
experience with other vehicles over the years. I don't have the
"thumb habit" you mention. Hopefully the Safe-T-Plus will moderate
any sudden wheel jerks due to uneven pavement or pot holes...(that's
the idea, anyway...)

Loss of the air cylinder is a thrill... of course you drove over it.
That's par for the course!
===============================================
Pete Masterson, Author of
Book Design and Production: A Guide for Authors and Publishers
Aeonix1@...
Aeonix Publishing Group http://www.aeonix.com
===============================================


On Sep 17, 2007, at 10:29 AM, David Brady wrote:

> Kurt,
>
> Cracking shock mounts have me a bit concerned. How many
> miles are on your coach? Have you checked the ride height?
> Have you checked to see if the shocks are bottoming before
> the airbag bump stops?
>
> Thanks,
> David Brady
> '02 LXi, NC
>
> bumpersbird wrote:
>>
>> Hi Pete,
>>
>> I had just about the problems when I got my PT-42. Cracked shock
>> mount, pulled to the right, drag linkworn out, all the tie ends worn
>> out, and a binding steersafe. My BB guy told me that was common with
>> the 42's. If your coach is like mine it drives a whole lot better.
>> Mine still is very senitive to steering wheel input. The only cure
>> I've found is kinda like in baseball, choke up on the wheel. I drive
>> with the spokes on the steering wheel about half way between the
>> wheel and the horn for most highway driving less input, less motion,
>> better control, you'll be surprised at how well she will track. One
>> word of caution I have a tendency to drop my thumb into the cutout on
>> the spokes of the steering wheel. Not a good idea especially if the
>> wheel spins around or jerks hard to one side or the other.
>>
>> Newest PT 42 problem: Air cylinder for left rear drive axel brake
>> fell off this morning. Caught that mess a little late. I backed over
>> it! The only good news is it happened in my driveway and not on the
>> road.
>>
>> Kurt Horvath
>> bumperbird
>> '95 PT-42 WLWB
>> Indulgence
>>
>> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>> , Pete Masterson
>>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Just got back from visiting Henderson's Line Up -- a wheel
>> alignment
>>> service specializing in RVs that also manufactures the SuperSteer
>>> product line that upgrades RV suspension components.
>>>
>>> My coach had a pull to the right that didn't seem normal -- and
>> I'd
>>> developed a considerable shake in the front end that felt like
>> badly
>>> balanced tires.
>>>
>>> After a test drive and inspection these problems were found:
>>>
>>> 1. The Blue Ox True Center steering control unit, installed by the
>>> previous owner, was bent and jammed -- accounting for the pull to
>> the
>>> right. Henderson's commented that this unit had been recalled. I
>> now
>>> realize that it wasn't working from before I took delivery of the
>>> coach. Mr. Oliver's (the dealer) wasn't familiar with the system
>> and
>>> had commented that "it didn't seem like it did much."
>>>
>>> 2. The drag link tie rod end was worn causing significant play in
>> the
>>> steering system.
>>>
>>> 3. The left front tire was out-of-round -- due to abnormal wear
>>> caused by the damaged/worn components, a serious flat spot had
>>> developed. I had to buy a new tire. (A Les Schawb Tire Store is
>>> nearby their location.)
>>>
>>> 4. The left, front upper shock mount had cracked and slightly
>> pulled
>>> away from the frame.
>>>
>>> Due to scheduling and the need for parts to be shipped in,
>>> Henderson's removed the True Center device and I got a new tire. I
>>> then drove on to Junction City Oregon where I had an appointment
>> for
>>> installation of a desk by Davis Cabinets.
>>>
>>> During this approximately 300 mile round trip, I noted significant
>>> improvement in the handling of the coach with the damaged True
>> Center
>>> device removed. However, there was some "wander" in the
>> Wanderlodge
>>> movement down the highway.
>>>
>>> Upon return to Hendersons they:
>>>
>>> 1. Aligned the wheels. I discovered a significant out-of-alignment
>>> situation that would have quickly ruined another tire if it wasn't
>>> corrected.
>>>
>>> 2. Installed the Safe-T-Plus steering control with remote trim
>>> adjustment system.
>>>
>>> 3. Welded the shock mount back in it's proper place.
>>>
>>> 4. Replaced the entire drag link (including tie rod connections at
>>> both ends). Initially, only the lower end of the drag link was to
>> be
>>> replaced... however, it was not possible to remove the old end
>> from
>>> the link without risking damage -- so it was decided to simply
>>> replace the whole thing.
>>>
>>> 5. As part of their service, they weighed my coach. Interestingly,
>>> there is a 2500 lb difference side to side at the rear axles.
>>> Apparently, this is simply a design issue -- and probably an issue
>>> with the diagonal/side aisle floor plan. While all major (heavy)
>>> components appear to be mounted on/near the coach centerline, it's
>>> obvious that _something_ is not fully counterbalanced. (The
>> personal
>>> items in the coach were randomly distributed and should have, if
>>> anything, reduced the difference.) The technician, using weight
>> and
>>> inflation charts for my tires came up with an alternate set of
>> tire
>>> pressures (and adjusted them) that reflect the actual loading. It
>> was
>>> significantly different than that suggested by Blue Bird. BB
>>> suggested F-115, D-110, T-90 and the new values are F-90, D-115,
>>> T-100 on the light side with T-120 on the heavy side. In
>> retrospect,
>>> this 2500 lb difference is not a highly significant amount
>>> considering the overall 47,250 lbs. weight of the coach at the
>> time
>>> it was weighed. (Fuel 2/3 full, fresh water 3/4 full, black/gray
>>> tanks empty.) I note that the only item that falls completely on
>> the
>>> heavy side is the fresh water tank, but it weighs a maximum of
>> about
>>> 1000 lbs. I also note that there is considerable remaining
>> capacity
>>> as the GVWR of my coach is 52,500 lbs.
>>>
>>> 6. The technician was unable to tighten the end of the steering
>> gear
>>> (at the bottom of the steering wheel shaft) because BB had wrapped
>> an
>>> incredible amount of wiring across the area and it was impossible
>> to
>>> reach the necessary components without risk of disrupting the
>> wiring.
>>> If there is an actual need for this, it's a relatively minor
>> aspect
>>> of the project.
>>>
>>> Results: In a test drive and in the 400 mile trip back home, the
>>> handling of the coach felt much better than it had before -- it
>> was
>>> hard to believe that it was the same vehicle. The deterioration of
>>> the ride had been gradual, so it was a surprise to realize how
>> really
>>> bad it had gotten.
>>>
>>> We discussed installation of the SuperSteer Motion Control Units --
>> a
>>> device that attaches to each of the air bags to help with sway or
>>> bounce in the suspension. (I deferred installation for "later.")
>>> However, during the 'after' test drive, the technician admitted
>> that
>>> motion control units would only marginally improve the handling of
>> my
>>> coach. (Keep in mind, this is the 95, 42 foot model -- it might
>> offer
>>> a greater improvement on other models.)
>>>
>>> All in all, I was highly satisfied with the products and services
>>> that Henderson's provided. While the process took a bit longer
>> than
>>> anticipated, I can't fault them as it was primarily due to the
>> need
>>> to obtain parts once the specific problems were determined. At no
>>> time did I feel that I was given a 'hard sell' nor did they talk
>> me
>>> into buying unnecessary services. (For example, they might have
>> sold
>>> me shock absorbers, but, instead, they simply cranked an
>> extra 'turn'
>>> into the adjustable Koni shocks on the coach.)
>>>
>>> One final observation -- even with the improved
>> steering/suspension,
>>> many of California's freeways are still in sad shape and will
>> shake
>>> the bejebers out of you...
>>>
>>> Pete Masterson
>>> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
>>> El Sobrante CA
>>> aeonix1@...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>



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