Leaf Springs

Had a spacer block put in, the shop said the smallest leaf for this chassis would be overkill and make it lean the other way. Went on the freeway for a short ride and seemed fine. Next the alignment to get the wheel straight and off to Tahoe in a few weeks.

RVMike wrote:
Are the rear leaf springs different on a F53 chassis than the workhorse P32. I had a rear spring added to my P32 because it started leaning after 9 years, paid $270 (1 year ago). the same guy wants almost $500 for my new F53 chassis. Said something about it being tapered.

Mike

You might want to look up the price of a leaf, then ask him how much time it takes and for then, doing your own calculations. Keep in mind he has to make something on the parts and labor as well.
Also get a second opinion.

Mike, let us know how things work out, ok.

Golden
Vodie's is still there but did not want to do the job. Sent me to Deaver springs in Santa Ana and they are putting in a spacer block.

wildmanbaker, you are correct, the shop did not recommend a to add a spring, just a spacer block.
Thanks all
Mike

It does not hurt to get more than one estimate. He may be ordering the leaf from FORD, which could account for the price. I am not a fan of unbalancing the spring rates from side to side, of a street vehicle. Race car, yes, it makes them turn left great, but snappy fast on a right turn.

timmac wrote:
If its a bigger motorhome than the P32 than the springs will be bigger/thicker plus 9 years ago things did cost less than today

Opps read to fast thought you said 9 years ago, oh well

Timmac, Re read the post. the motorhome was 9 years old but I had the work done 1 year ago.

Golden, I have a guy in La Mirada that does alignment. After the new rear spring on the P32 I had him put in heavier springs in the front and got rid of the airbags. It drove better than new. Wife saw the new Winnebago 27N and her I am now with a new coach that leans because of the full slide on the passenger side. Here we go again.
Mike

PS,I will look for them

Of course they are 'different' but not worth an extra $200.

You might want to look for another shop.

I see you are from my old stomping grounds. I took my then new 97 Bounder to the place with a big 'bear' on it along Garden Grove Blvd and had the front end aligned when it was only about 4 months old, and the springs had gotten used to the load that we put in the RV. They asked 'why' - Fleetwood did a front end alignment to all the new RV's.

They made a small adjustment, and I never did have any problems with the front tire treads looking great after 7 years, and 20,000 miles. Then I would need to change the tires anyway.

It was between Magnolia and Brookhurst. I lived at Magnolia just south of Garden Grove Blvd at the time. The name is Vodie's and according to Google maps, they are still there. 9891 GG Blvd. Stop by in your car, and ask about the Ford motorhome chassis. They probably can help you out for a reasonable price.

It is a huge front end alignment shop, and they where trained to do front end alignments on large trucks. Back in the 60's straight axles like mine where 'bent' to adjust the camber. Now Ford claims it is 'factory set' and can not be adjusted. Well any normal shop will not attempt to adjust it, they are not trained as to how. This shop has the tools, and clamps down the front axle, while using a 20 ton jack to adjust it to make the tires stand up straight. This really helps in the tracking.

If they can not help you, they probably know someone who can. . . I just hope that they are still in business.

Fred.

If its a bigger motorhome than the P32 than the springs will be bigger/thicker plus 9 years ago things did cost less than today