steering box

[bubblerboy64]

Hi Pete, The springs are pretty flat especially the back ones. One
poster commented about wheel clearance. I have plenty of that. The
shop thinks that when the engine was switched over to the 3208 the
springs were modified by adding additional springs leaves which would
make sense. The bus doesn't porpoise at all, the opposite it bangs
pretty hard over bumps. The shop feels that the springs would
function better if they were graduated from top to bottom and matched
to the weight that the bus is being ask to carry now. So there is
some reason to speculate that the bus would ride better with new
springs under it. The question remains HOW MUCH. I can spend the
money to find out. I might gain a lot I might gain just a little.
The fellows at the shop didn't think the bus rode too badly. They
objected to the loose steering more then the ride. I of course became
some what used to the steering. But it is much better now I will
grant you that. The shop obviously knews their stuff.

There are other issues as well. Currently the they can buy the
springs off the shelf. If they become unavailable then they are have
to be custom made at about twice the cost. I have to factor all that
in with considerations as to how long I will keep the coach. I think
I will let a couple of the fellows drive the bus when we get together
at Hershey and see if there is a consensus of opinion.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC




>
> I would suspect that the shocks, if they show signs of being, worn
> might offer a modest but cost-effective improvement in handling.
> (Does the coach bounce excessively or porpoise?) Unless the
springs
> and shackles, etc. are clearly displaying out-of-spec sag or other
> bent components, that you'll get much less benefit from making any
> changes to them.
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> aeonix1@...
> On the road at Idaho Springs, CO
>
>
>
> On Aug 28, 2008, at 9:16 AM, bubblerboy64 wrote:
>
> > <snip>
> > 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
> > <snip>
>