loose steering

[Chuck Wheeler]

Be very careful about playing with the sector shaft adjustment. Each steering box has a "high point" when it is centered. This high point should line up with travel straight down the road.If it is not centered when the sector shaft end play is adjusted it cannot be set correctly. Each side of center the free play is greater because thesteering geometry in the alignment is trying to return the wheels to center and this will provide the "loading. I have seen many alignment problems, especially if the steering wheel has been removed and not replaced on center. When an alignment is performed the shop makes sure the wheel is centered. If the wheel center is not aligned with the steering box center point you can have a very loose feeling in the steering. To properly adjust the sector shaft preload, you MUST disconnect the steering box linkage, make sure the steering box is centered, and use a torque wrench on the input shaft to set the preload without hydraulic pressure on the box. There are instructions in with the steering gear information in the "blue box". Most folks the think that sector adjustment helped have set it so tight that the preload is having the same effect as a steering damper by offering resistance to movement. If you talk to a rebuilder they will tell you that it is very rare to find gear wear in a steering box but too much preload will wear parts. If it is found the gears have to be replaced. Most rebuilds involve seals and hydraulic parts.

I was lucky, the alignment person was busy the day I took our Wanderlodge in for alignment and they let me check it while I was waiting. I discovered that our steering was about 4" off center. I put a mark on the wheel and had them align using my mark as center. I reset the wheel after I got home. That was the only correction the alignment needed and it made a big difference! Bob is correct, tires can make a BIG difference.

- Chuck Wheeler-

1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX

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From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of freewill2008
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 12:04 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: loose steering

Chuck - Here are some relatively simple and inexpensive things I've done to greatly improve the "wander":

- Keep the kingpins well lubed. Lube them by getting the front wheels off the ground and run the steering back/forth during the lube process.

- New front shocks. I did this to improve the ride, however controlling the front spring motion also reduced the wander.

- Adjust the steering box. There is a sector shaft and a cross shaft. Both benefit from re-adjusting the preload after years of use. The job is easy enough but you need the steering box manual, an inch-pound torque wrench, and a helper. The front wheels need to be off the ground for this one also.

A set of fresh premium grade front tires will usually improve the way the rig steers.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII

>
> I don't know how much "wander" there normally is in a Wanderlodge but
> I have noticed my steering is a little loose especially on highway stretches where they have partially repaved a lane. My question is
> there any easy way to tighten up the steering?
>
> Chuck Harrison
> Akron, Ohio
> 90 SP36
>