How to Fix a Squirrelly Front End?

Did you pay for 3 different alignments? Asking because did the first 2 shops come out and tell you they could not perform the alignment until you repair some parts? Was it a lazer alignment or a dude with a tape measure?

From what you decribe its probably a combo of many worn parts. Most likely the ball joints and tie rod ends. Would explain why the 3rd shop needed to adjust a component so far. With a ball joint warn out it effects your camber.

Ive done my own alignment at home. So i know a wee bit about it. Only reason i dont take to a shop is because im cheap and have the skills to get camber and tow in close enough for my older pickup.

Some of this might not make sense. If your trailer was parked here i would jack up the front end and start shaking parts. Get the front wheel 1 or 2 inches off the ground and then stick a crowbar under the tire. Shake the tire up and down to prove there is play in the ball joints. Then shake it side to side to find play in the steering.

Another thing to consider is you cant rule out your brakes. Just because you installed new rotors and pads doesnt mean the fluid and lines are clean. Did they replace the calipers as well? Maybe your front left caliper likes to stick. Makes your truck pull left sometimes.

The simple answer to your question is that the big metal pieces that hold your wheels in place, and make the wheels turn side to side, have worn out and developed play. Those parts can move around and settle in different spots. Thats why sometimes it pulls left, sometimes right. Depends where those loose parts have settled.

Have you weighed your rig (preferably 4 corner, but at the very least front/rear) and adjusted your tire pressure according to the actual weight on each axle? That made a night/day difference in the handling of my last RV (Ford E-350 class C); it was a white knuckle ride prior, very relaxing after.

You say that you've had the brakes redone, but does that mean just the front, or both front and rear? The rear could cause it to pull also.

A "sloppy" front end could be any number of things worn, from the steering box itself to the idler arm to tie rods to... Your alignment guy should have been able to narrow that down when he did the alignment.

Plturne wrote:
My suggestion is to research local RV shops and try to find one that specializes in suspension work that has a stellar reputation. Our Class C handled poorly when purchased so I made an appointment with Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass OR (I’m in NorCal). They complete a test drive under various conditions with you riding along. They write up recommendations and discuss with you. I agreed to upgrade shocks, sway bars, steering stabilizer and perform a very exacting alignment. I would estimate handling improved 40+%. Of high importance is it’s now safer and less fatiguing to drive.

Just drove through Grant's Pass in my RV earlier this week. Nice little town. I drove through a lot of those Oregon and Washington mountain passes on this trip. Was white knuckle with my sloppy steering especially at night when a semi would pass in the opposite direction. Would be much more relaxing if I had tighter steering.

Has a Ford truck dealer looked at it. It's their chassis. Get them to look at it, and particularly at the steering gear box. I had a 3500 Chevy chassis under a 2002 Roadtrek, that had sloppy steering, but didn't pull to one side. They diagnosed it as worn steering gears inside the box. The box was obsolete, it never caused me any handling problems, so I never bothered replacing it. There were some after market options, but never bothered pursuing it.
Ford Dealers San Diego area

My suggestion is to research local RV shops and try to find one that specializes in suspension work that has a stellar reputation. Our Class C handled poorly when purchased so I made an appointment with Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass OR (I’m in NorCal). They complete a test drive under various conditions with you riding along. They write up recommendations and discuss with you. I agreed to upgrade shocks, sway bars, steering stabilizer and perform a very exacting alignment. I would estimate handling improved 40+%. Of high importance is it’s now safer and less fatiguing to drive.