Need some advice

[Pete Masterson]

Since most cars have between 2 to 4 revolutions of the steering wheel
"lock to lock," blocking the wheel from turning more than 180 degrees
would cause more problems than it would solve.

Bungee cords would tend to bring the steering wheel back to near-
center and whatever caster in the front suspension geometry (there is
almost always -some- caster) should bring the front wheels into
alignment with the direction of travel. I doubt that the bungee
cords, if they'll allow 2 or 3 turns of the steering wheel would
exert so much force that the tires wouldn't caster properly once they
were near the correct location.

I think the best way to understand this problem is to consider a
shopping cart's front wheels (and sometimes you get one with a "bad"
wheel that wobbles and spins). They always point in the direction you
push the cart because they have "caster" (and can turn 360 degrees).
This is the same phenomena that the front wheels of a car has --
except they only turn over a much smaller range (rarely more than 120
degrees or so). Caster is used to make steering easier and to return
the wheels to 'straight ahead' when you let go of the steering wheel.
But some cars do not have (as much) caster as is common, so the
steering wheel (and front tires) won't return to center without a bit
of help.

In the end, it's much better to have a toad that behaves well without
extra steps. If you must keep the old Subaru, then a tow dolly (or
full trailer) is the better choice. I'd sure look into replacing it
with a care that's more easily towed.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Hurricane UT



On Oct 9, 2007, at 9:24 AM, Gregory OConnor wrote:

> I understood the 'parallel to the ground rule' was to keep inerta
> force of the toad from pushing the ass of the motorhome farther up in
> the air then the natural reaction of braking. It also keeps
> acceleration from 'picking up' or 'pulling down' on the front end of
> a toad at rest.
>
> I have seen toads with bungie cords on the steering. I wonder if
> there is a chance that the bungie force could get set off center and
> the wheels will run untrue when your bus is center/true. Or if you
> pass 180 degree on the steer-wheel, you cam past a return to
> true/center?????
>
> I would tie a rope that limits the turning of the steering wheel to
> less than 180 deg.(or prior to the point a sharp right turn make a
> recenter unatainable) At center/true the rope would be relaxed and
> the caster reaction will have no opposing forces. but the tires would
> skid on sharp turns if more than a 180degree steering wheel turn was
> naturaly required.
>
> Some times The best mod is a a ForSale sign.
>
> GregoryO'Connor
> 94ptRomolandCa
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> <MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>>
>> The tow bar needs to be parallel with the ground, usually requires
> a drop hitch ball for the bus.
>> MH
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Jon
>> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>> Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 9:48 PM
>> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Need some advice
>>
>>
>> I have an 84 Subaru four wheel drive as my toad and its a
> wonderful
>> little car. But I have one problem and that is when I make a
> tight
>> slow right hand turn the steering stays in that position and will
> not
>> correct itself. By this I mean it will not come back to a neutral
>> position. This is kind of buggy as I really haft to watch out
> when I
>> do make this type of turn as the tires will just not correct
> themselves
>> and causing them to drag along turned. Is there any device I can
> use
>> to help correct this problem? Has anyone here else had that kind
> of
>> problem. Sure would like some answers on this baddddddd problem.
>>
>> http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/1942...l%20Bird/?
>> action=view¤t=82Subaru008.jpg
>>
>> Jipjob
>> Rebel Bird
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>
>
>
>
>
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