steering box

[bubblerboy64]

Thanks Chuck, I am certainly not going to jump to replacing the
springs until I have some further input from people more informed
then I at this point. Shocks?? They intended to replace them but
were sent the wrong ones (Monroe's)They cross referenced off what is
on the bus now Delco) I know Koni shocks are the preference. The
shocks which are on my bus are Delco 3187991 both front and back. Can
you tell me what numbers I need for my application. Consider that
this bus has been modified and specifically the switch from the gas
engine to the 3208 NA. Don't know if that makes a difference or not.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
>
> Shocks can make a big improvement if the existing ones are weak.
If the
> shop could align the front end and there were no obvious problems I
would
> not spend the money on springs etc.
>
> - Chuck Wheeler-
> FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
>
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bubblerboy64
> Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 10:17 AM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Steering box
>
>
>
> Got me Ole Girl back on the road again: Basically they replaced the
> TieRod Ends and did alignment and adjusted what could be adjusted,
> lubrication and inspection. The handling is significantly improved.
> Much of the free travel has been eliminated. The result is less
> wander in the wonderlodge. The fellows appreciated the input from
> the forum and especially Chuck Wheelers comments. I feel like the
> shop did an excellent job for me and with the help from my fellow
> Bluebirders I made a pretty significant step in the right
direction.
>
> There still remains the issue of the springs,shackles and shocks
with
> respect to ride quality. To replace all of that stuff will set me
> back pretty big bucks. Likely about $3500. Now the question is how
> much improvement, or how much bang for my buck will I get. At this
> point I am going to hold tight until I get to a rally so that some
of
> you other fellows can drive my bus and see how it compares to
> others. I would not mind spending the money if I was going to get
> real value. I have nothing to compare to. So plan to head to
> Hershey in Oct lets see if some of you guys can take'r out for a
spin
> to see where I am at and where I should be going.
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
>
> >
> > When I had my steering box rebuilt I discovered that there were
two
> > different boxes used in the FC. The older one has much more "free
> play"
> > than the newer design. The difference is in the spool valve
> design. If the
> > steering wheel input shaft moves up and down when you move the
> wheel with
> > the engine off you have the older design. It's not really
> mechanical free
> > play but the amount of movement requires for the hydraulic system
> to react.
> > At the time we had ours rebuilt there were none of the newer
design
> > available to see if they were interchangeable. With the rebuilt
> steering
> > box, new tie rod ends, and bushings in the front end suspension
> (totally
> > gone) our FC handles very well now. There is still the free play,
> but not
> > slack, in the steering system. Now on a straight road there is
> very little
> > correction required. You want to be careful adjusting the sector
> shaft
> > preload, it is done with the box unloaded using a torque wrench
on
> the input
> > shaft. Many people mistake eliminating free play with putting the
> steering
> > box in a bind which increases wear. The seals were worn out in
our
> steering
> > box, but all other parts were in good condition. We are all used
> to rack
> > and pinion steering in our cars. Drive a 50s or early 60s vehicle
> that have
> > steering boxes and they have much the same feeling as our FCs.
> >
> > - Chuck Wheeler-
> > FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
> >
> >
> > _____
> >
> > From: WanderlodgeForum@ 40yahoogroups.com>
> yahoogroups.com
> > [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@ 40yahoogroups.com>
> yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bubblerboy64
> > Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2008 3:11 AM
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@
> yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Steering box
> >
> >
> >
> > My bus is in the shop as we speak sorting our suspension and
> handling
> > issues. The fellows have told me that they have things in pretty
> > good order but are concerned about some "free travel" which they
> have
> > traced to the steering box. Now here is the issue. This steering
> box
> > was a rebuilt box which the previous owner replaced about 20K
miles
> > ago. (The previous owner said this greatly improved the
handling.)
> > The guys are telling me that my options are to live with this
free
> > travel or get another remanufactured steering box. My concern is
> > that I might get another only to find its no better then the one
I
> > have now. My fellows are also not really familiar with BB's and I
> > wonder if they are expection the impossible with this old FC? Any
> > suggestions or tricks which I might pass on to the shop. They did
> > say there was some type of adjustment that they were going to try
> to
> > make but it was "tricky" if they went just a little too far then
> the
> > steering would potentially have a tight spot or a hitch in it.( I
> may
> > not have that exactly right as to their discription but you
likely
> > get the point. They said what they were going to adjust but that
> > didn't stick in the ole knoggin) The shop works on RV's and heavy
> > equipment and is very well respected. They don't see a lot of
BB'ds
> > so if there is any thing I can pass along they are more then
> willing
> > for my information.
> >
> > John Heckman
> > central Pa
> > 1973 FC
> >
>