Steering Loose
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New User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Long Beach, CA
Steering Loose
In the process of changing my 1998 Ford E350 25' Class C motorhome steering stabilizer I noticed that the steering linkage that goes from wheel to wheel moves around when putting pressure on the steering stabilizer bolts. It wiggles fore and aft at all the ball joints. The reason I am changing the steering damper is that when I drive slow on bumpy or rough surfaces like campgrounds I feel something in the steering but I am not sure what I feel. It doesn't do it all the time, just occasionally. I stopped before removing the steering stabilizer to get a reading from this forum. Is this normal or do I have a problem. Thanks for your help.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
When you have someone inside the vehicle move or shake the wheel 2" side to side look under for signs of slop in linkages. The wheels should be moving slightly. If not there will be worn parts somewhere.
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From: Long Beach, CA
First thank you for your reply. I tried out the steering shake and roll and everything is solid. The tires move instantly in both directions and no observation of looseness in the steering mechanism. When I left the house the RV water and drain tanks were empty. When I returned from the camping trip I filled my water tank for the next trip and when I got home I filled the fuel tank as well. When I left the gas station there were a couple speed bumps that I took at an angle at 3 to 5 mph and that is when I sensed something in the steering wheel. When I got on the road it was gone and drove as normal all the way home (4miles) and backed in my driveway and everything was OK. I just now noticed that the washer under the nut to the stabilizer on the center mount is loose so I will tighten that up. I wonder if the front wheel bearings may be causing the problem. Thanks again for your help.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Long Beach, CA
Changed the steering damper/stabilizer with a Monroe heavy duty job. Easy enough. The steering seems to be a little better but I think the problem will still be there. I will be taking it in to a truck repair shop and have it checked out soon.
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From: Long Beach, CA
I just spent an hour at the RV Lot and examined 7 E350 and E450 Class C motorhomes with 10K to 50K miles and the steering between the wheels moved exactly like mine so I am more at ease. I am leaning more and more to wheel bearings. I have 70K on my unit so maybe they are out of adjustment or worn out. Anybody know a good place to take a motorhome for repair in the Long Beach California area.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Long Beach, CA
Just returned from an extended weekend trip after installing the new damper/stabilizer and Wow what a difference. There were three things of significance.... 1. The sense of loose steering when the steering wheel was full left to full right when going slow over bumpy surfaces is gone. 2. The bouncing steering wheel at high speed braking on the freeway is gone, and 3. Straighter tracking at all speeds.
The moral of the story is don't believe nothing someone tells you when you buy a used vehicle because some people will flat lie to you. Ask for the records or be willing to take a chance. This was a cheap fix for all those symtoms, $32 so I consider myself lucky, this time.
The moral of the story is don't believe nothing someone tells you when you buy a used vehicle because some people will flat lie to you. Ask for the records or be willing to take a chance. This was a cheap fix for all those symtoms, $32 so I consider myself lucky, this time.
Last edited by GRWRVING; Oct 12, 2003 at 07:32 PM.
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