Back from the shop lite steering fixed.

[WA7NDD]

I posted a thread called "Steering Feels Lite" last month. I took our 1998 Ford E-350 Four Winds 5000 22rk 37K miles, new to us last September, into a trusted truck repair facility in Ammon, Idaho with a list of preventive maintenance items. Yes it was expensive 3K. I did it because even though the MH was in very good shape, it is 15 years old and new to me with little info on its maintenance.

All new cooling and heater hoses and thermostat, new Bilstein heavy duty shocks (I supplied), new serpentine belt, new fuel filter, flush radiator and V-10 engine, clean mass air flow sensor. They found tie rod ends needed to be replaced and a small leak at the pinion seal, cleaned and checked differential replaced oil. I gave them two Ingalls engineering adjustable caster/camber sleeves to install(Not near as easy to install as led to believe they told me.).

Caster was set to + 5 on both front wheels. Steering no longer has that lite feel as though the ground was not there. Steering feels solid and no play. House sway and roll is a lot better. Front tires are at 65 pounds, have not weighed yet but soon will. Warm air out of the dash vents worked well and temp gauge sits below the half way mark around the quarter mark. There is a marked difference in the drive ability of the MH. I have a Safe-T-Plus to install. 18 wheelers pushed me around at times and scared me. If it still happens I'll install a heavy duty rear sway bar.

This is information for members with older motor homes. I have a garage big enough to hold the motor home and full of tools to do the above jobs. At 70 with a fractured back scooting around on the ground does not work for me anymore, but if you have the ability one can save a lot of labor cost. So please don't beat me up for spending money on a trusted garage with professional mechanics. If you have an older MH I hope there is some useful info here.

[2Bargos]

rockhillmanor wrote:
3 words front brake lines.

there are no aftermarket hoses for the Ford. We had to order OEM parts for it. Mechanic there said he has seen quite a few of them in his shop on that chassis where it was the brake line.

Had a friend run into this problem with his coach(GM chasis) after some effort.he had a hose/hydraulic shop make him a set of brake lines.

[WA7NDD]

Rockhillmanor: Thank you for the "heads up" on the front brake lines. I will have them replaced next month. We are the same way in that we deal in cash and no payments for anything. This is our second MH, first was a 1978, sold it went to a TT for the last 12 years then bought this 1998 Four Winds in very nice condition from a privet party. That is where having cash in hand really pays off, you can deal with advantage. Bought our 2000 EEE TT in 2002 from a dealer with cash, we insulted him with our offer, but he took it. We still have it. LOL

[Sloop_Smitten]

Timely post. I visited Palm Desert last weekend (2-1/2 hour ride) and when I exited the off ramp the brakes were weak and pulled hard right when they finally engaged. I have front disk brakes and they generate a lot of heat. This apparently resulted in the lines collapsing. As soon as things cooled off the brakes were normal. Never would of thought of the brake lines as the problem.

[BobandShaz]

James I think you made a good move....DO CHECK THE BRAKE LINES...

[rockhillmanor]

3 words front brake lines.

They fail from the inside. They will look perfectly fine from the outside, but what they do is collapse inside and that model is known for it. Most local mechanics will just look on the outside and say you are good to go.

Been there did that. Got her all the repairs and maintenance before setting out and one week into the trip I went to get off on a ramp after several hours of driving and no brakes the steering wheel yanked out of my hands. Saw my life flash before me.

Got it to the nearest truck shop to repair. Diagnosis collapsed brake lines.

One thing though, there are no aftermarket hoses for the Ford. We had to order OEM parts for it. Mechanic there said he has seen quite a few of them in his shop on that chassis where it was the brake line.

My advice for anyone buying a used MH to just go ahead and replace them. It is not that expensive....if you are not broke down on the side of the road.

My 31 ft E450 never had any handling problems. The only problem that raised it's ugly head was the slam banging of the back end. Brought it in and the leaf springs were tired. Replaced the leaf springs and on advice of the frame shop I 'added' a leaf. And for good measure threw a set of Monroe RV shocks on the front. WHAT a DIFFERENCE. Rides and handles like a limo.

So please don't beat me up for spending money on a trusted garage with professional mechanics. If you have an older MH I hope there is some useful info here.

Thanks for posting! You won't getting any flack from me that's for sure. I smile anytime I have to put her in the shop for repairs. I buy used, pay cash so no monthly payments here. So I have no trouble peeling off a couple of green backs once a year or at the most maybe a second time to repair a tired part. :C