Forum Discussion

marbee39's avatar
marbee39
Explorer
May 02, 2013

Violent shaking front end

2003 Mandalay on Freightliner XC. Bought last year in great condition. Took out on 1st trip, hit a decent bump at 45 and whole front end shook like crazy. Light stab of the brakes straightened it out but scared the******out of me. I've read of this problem on the Ford chassis, but this is the Freightliner.

It doesn't have a steering stabilizer. Does have a sway bar. Any pointers? Just take to a shop for service? I have tools and a good friend who is a diesel/HE mech. We can do our own work, but don't have a lift.

Any ideas GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!
Jim in AK
Class A
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    May 03, 2013
    Stabilizers....

    I went with Blue OX Tru-center.. at the time it was the ONLY one I could re-center, in a pouring rain, without getting wet (That is from the driver's seat) by simply pushing a button.

    I understand there is another one that offers that remote re-center feature now. but alas do not recall it's name.

    The Blue Ox may or may not be the best one for you depending on how much "Centering" you need.
  • marbee39's avatar
    marbee39
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    All,
    Gonna get the old girl up on a lift today with a trusted local mech. I'd be willing to be a few parts will need to be replaced and we'll likely add a stabilizer to boot. Really appreciate all the input! Drive safe!
    Jim
  • liborko's avatar
    liborko
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    Aside from worn componets on steering axle, this is ususally caused by too long leaf springs that allow side to side movement of the axle. The solution is either steering stabilizer(a shock absorber) or track bar or both. An other check worth doing is check the caster angle.
  • camperkids1025's avatar
    camperkids1025
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    I had a GMC van do the same thing when I hit a bridge expansion joint it was all I could do to hold onto the steering wheel. I had it checked out and nothing found wrong and it was explained that it was called lateral road shock. The shop added a steering stabilizer and all was good afterwards. Jim
  • camperkids1025's avatar
    camperkids1025
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    I had a GMC van do the same thing when I hit a bridge expansion joint it was all I could do to hold on to the steering wheel. I had it checked out and nothing found wrong and it was explained that it was called lateral road shock. The shop added a steering stabilizer and all was good afterwards. Jim
  • mistressofdistr's avatar
    mistressofdistr
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    I had this problem and two new front tires fixed the problem on my Chevy chassis motorhome.
  • Daveinet's avatar
    Daveinet
    Explorer
    May 02, 2013
    Also don't forget worn shocks, which normally will dampen out vibrations. IF you are checking shocks, check for worn bushings in the end of the shocks. If the shock bushings are worn, you will not notice excessive bounce, but it will make it very prone to vibration.
  • zman-az's avatar
    zman-az
    Explorer
    May 02, 2013
    dennisgt60 wrote:
    Wheel balance issue?

    Usually a wheel balance issue/bad tire will expose a weakness in one of the other items listed in the post above yours.

    To the original poster.

    Have someone go inside the rv and turn the wheel side to side in short strokes. Look for loose steering componets and if its a solid axel front look at the bushings in the trackbar ends (bar that runs from axel to frame).
  • BillMFl's avatar
    BillMFl
    Explorer
    May 02, 2013
    Wasilla eh? Got a good view of Russia there? You betcha. Probably some radical left wingers made that pot hole on purpose trying to catch you know who. :)

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