I wanted to add this to the recent "revived" thread about the alignment fix on Fords.....but can't find it now.I'm sad and mad. I took my E450 C to a shop that I thought was honest and competent for the front end fix. Maybe only competent.They called this morning saying I needed a FULL set of ball joints, upper and lower. It is about 7 years old and has 45,xxx miles on it.Another tire place had previously done a quick inspection and found nothing loose.Their estimated total bill was $1,300. Now it MAY need the ball joints but that is the oldest scam in the book and the average consumer has no way to know if they are telling the truth or not.Now I have to make some phone calls looking for another place that is familiar with the problem.So the question is: Is it really common to need ball joints at less than 50,000 miles on an E450.....that has spent all of it's life in Florida ?? I'm very skeptical.

That's not many miles at all but I searched a little and did notice two issues. One issue is that they appear to NOT have grease fittings so 45,000 is entirely possible. Number two is that it may not be adjusted correctly because Ford sets the chassis when built and then the RV manufacturer builds on it and the alignment specs change. I also noticed mention of the Ford design not having enough adjustment so good repair shops will instal an alignment kit when replacing the ball joints. They mentioned not having Ford parts installed because they wont have grease fittings.You may find it cheaper if you shop around but the key issue is to have someone who is good at this and honest.One findMoreNon adjustable top sleeves

rjxj wrote:That's not many miles at allThanks for taking the time to reply.I already knew all of that other stuff.....as a result of reading the previous threads but none of them mentioned having to replace suspension parts, that I remember anyway.

I was told by a truck alignment shop that the "long" Ford Class C's wear out front suspension parts, sometimes as early as 20,000 miles. OK, Grain of Salt. Service manager at a big RV rental outfit said the Fords "have suspension issues" but did not tell me what he saw them to be. Have you weighed the coach? The long-wheelbase ones can load the front axle to or near its max. It might be cheaper to get a "take-off" axle assembly from an outfit like Quigley in PA or U-Joint in NC. See Deprived's current thread. All this of course "IF" it needs the ball joints. Maybe maybe not, but the need IS within the realm of possibility.

I recently had service done, tranny oil, radiator flush and serpentine. 2007 with 13000mi. Talked to mechanic personally, it's good to have a diesel mechanic school and electrical mechanic with apprenticeship in my back pocket. I asked about suspension particularly the ball joints, no zerks. His take was 50-60k miles and depending on the type of miles, load etc. If I had 45k on mine and had the money I would have them done, but I think 1300 is a bit much. Hope that helps.

quingus wrote: but I think 1300 is a bit much. Hope that helps.It helps reinforce what I was already thinking.But not sure it helps decide what to do next. ;)A different shop will have it later today and we'll see what they have to say.

E450 ball joints during alignment | Good Sam Community

Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
Biggyniner wrote:

I have the opposite, once I got up to freeway speeds on my E350 it starts to wander and I have to make constant fine adjustments to maintain a straight line through a corner...

Given the age of your unit, you might actually be in need of some new parts in the front end. How many miles on it ?

Did you notice the suggestion about tire pressures ??
If you are blindly pumping them all up to the number on the sidewall that could contribute to the problem.

P.S. What "freeway speeds" are we talking about here ?
A little bit of that just goes with the territory when driving a high profile vehicle......especially if the wind is blowing.
Harvard
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
Biggyniner wrote:
Vulcan Rider wrote:
sullivanclan wrote:
I'm looking at a class C for purchase with the Ford 450, 2003. During my test drive I questioned the need for an alignment,

The major symptom was wandering all over the road at speeds between about 15 and 45 MPH. Faster than that and it seemed to stabilize some. The other thing was a feeling of being blown OFF the road when a big vehicle overtakes from the REAR.....like being passed by a semi on the Interstate. Some have said the mods help with that too but I'm a bit skeptical about that. Oddly enough, a passing semi from the other direction on a 2-lane road has no such dire feeling.

I have the opposite, once I got up to freeway speeds on my E350 it starts to wander and I have to make constant fine adjustments to maintain a straight line through a corner...

What are your caster settings?
Biggyniner
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
Vulcan Rider wrote:
sullivanclan wrote:
I'm looking at a class C for purchase with the Ford 450, 2003. During my test drive I questioned the need for an alignment,

The major symptom was wandering all over the road at speeds between about 15 and 45 MPH. Faster than that and it seemed to stabilize some. The other thing was a feeling of being blown OFF the road when a big vehicle overtakes from the REAR.....like being passed by a semi on the Interstate. Some have said the mods help with that too but I'm a bit skeptical about that. Oddly enough, a passing semi from the other direction on a 2-lane road has no such dire feeling.

I have the opposite, once I got up to freeway speeds on my E350 it starts to wander and I have to make constant fine adjustments to maintain a straight line through a corner...
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
sullivanclan wrote:
When you have a chance, clarify what "modifications" you are referring to,

Have a look here: http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,40337.0.html

Two alignment shops told me that I do NOT need ball joints; at 40K miles, might not need them for another 40K......which means, in my case, that they might outlive ME.

The one shop that recommended replacing them along with the other changes quoted a price of $1300.

Your money, your call. I chose to wait.
sullivanclan
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
When you have a chance, clarify what "modifications" you are referring to, or maybe I missed it on a previous post. Yes, let me know the end results as I feel I'm facing a similiar issue, either way, would like to get it done correctly, including with upgrades that are greasable. Thanks!
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
sullivanclan wrote:
I'm looking at a class C for purchase with the Ford 450, 2003. During my test drive I questioned the need for an alignment,

The third shop made the alignment modifications for about $350 and made no mention of worn suspension parts. I have not picked it up yet so can't report on any improvement personally.

The major symptom was wandering all over the road at speeds between about 15 and 45 MPH. Faster than that and it seemed to stabilize some. The other thing was a feeling of being blown OFF the road when a big vehicle overtakes from the REAR.....like being passed by a semi on the Interstate. Some have said the mods help with that too but I'm a bit skeptical about that. Oddly enough, a passing semi from the other direction on a 2-lane road has no such dire feeling.

I am now about to pursue a firmware mod that will "fix" the erratic downshifting in the transmission......making it uncomfortable to use the cruise control on any but the absolutely flattest roads. There is another thread on here about that now.

P.S. If I haven't posted a "final report" here in about a week, please make another reply to remind me.
sullivanclan
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
I'm looking at a class C for purchase with the Ford 450, 2003. During my test drive I questioned the need for an alignment, so this post got me thinking, due to some "wondering.." So let us know what you find out. What were your symptoms that led you to be concerned?
Biggyniner
Explorer
Jul 14, 2015
Vulcan Rider wrote:
Tinyandthegang wrote:
Have the shop show you that the ball joints are loose. If they are bad you will be able to see movement.

For a LOT of years, that was not a good test.....as you could jack up the front end of a brand new vehicle and find loosness in the ball joints.....when there was no weight on it.

One shop told me that is not true anymore but I'm still a bit skeptical as that little trick was the basis for scamming a lot of people out of a LOT of money over the years.

It appears that the Ford truck front ends do wear quicker than others, partly because there is no way to grease them.

The THIRD shop now has my Winnie.
#1 said no problem observed but couldn't align because their bay door wasn't high enough to get it on the rack.
#2 said front end component wear to the tune of $1,300.
#3 will be the tie breaker.

Do follow up and let us know what that 3rd shop says.
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Jul 14, 2015
Tinyandthegang wrote:
Have the shop show you that the ball joints are loose. If they are bad you will be able to see movement.

For a LOT of years, that was not a good test.....as you could jack up the front end of a brand new vehicle and find loosness in the ball joints.....when there was no weight on it.

One shop told me that is not true anymore but I'm still a bit skeptical as that little trick was the basis for scamming a lot of people out of a LOT of money over the years.

It appears that the Ford truck front ends do wear quicker than others, partly because there is no way to grease them.

The THIRD shop now has my Winnie.
#1 said no problem observed but couldn't align because their bay door wasn't high enough to get it on the rack.
#2 said front end component wear to the tune of $1,300.
#3 will be the tie breaker.
Tinyandthegang
Explorer
Jul 14, 2015
Have the shop show you that the ball joints are loose. If they are bad you will be able to see movement.

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