Eliminating wander, improving steering, Roadmaster chassis
92 40' Monaco with the Roadmaster chassis, eight air bags, eight shocks.
Noticed on the way home from purchase (3200 miles) that the steering is a bit looser than I'd like. Not sure how tight one can expect but this rig only has 16,000 miles on it so I was expecting no play in the steering wheel but there is a bit - enough to keep me on my toes to keep the widebody between the lines.
It has brand new Samson tires on front and the two outer duals. The inside duals are the former steering tires but I wouldn't think that would have much effect.
Tires were all a bit low. Raised fronts from 95 to 110 and rears from 90 to 100 as per the specs. Slight change but not much.
Shocks need replacing. All eight of them I suspect as she porpoises too much. This will definitely smooth the ride but don't think it's going to make much difference in wander.
So now I'm down to checking a few things. Got the wife to wiggle the steering wheel and it does *appear* that the drivers side tire moves before the passenger tire, so that would indicate a loose tie rod, but its such a small difference its hard to tell.
Not sure if this model has an adjustable tightening in the steering box but at 16,000 miles (pavement only) I'd be really surprised if it was steering box wear.
Any other things to check? Anything I'm missing? Don't really know much about the Roadmaster chassis but what's it's reputation for this kind of thing? How tight can I expect to get the steering?
Noticed on the way home from purchase (3200 miles) that the steering is a bit looser than I'd like. Not sure how tight one can expect but this rig only has 16,000 miles on it so I was expecting no play in the steering wheel but there is a bit - enough to keep me on my toes to keep the widebody between the lines.
It has brand new Samson tires on front and the two outer duals. The inside duals are the former steering tires but I wouldn't think that would have much effect.
Tires were all a bit low. Raised fronts from 95 to 110 and rears from 90 to 100 as per the specs. Slight change but not much.
Shocks need replacing. All eight of them I suspect as she porpoises too much. This will definitely smooth the ride but don't think it's going to make much difference in wander.
So now I'm down to checking a few things. Got the wife to wiggle the steering wheel and it does *appear* that the drivers side tire moves before the passenger tire, so that would indicate a loose tie rod, but its such a small difference its hard to tell.
Not sure if this model has an adjustable tightening in the steering box but at 16,000 miles (pavement only) I'd be really surprised if it was steering box wear.
Any other things to check? Anything I'm missing? Don't really know much about the Roadmaster chassis but what's it's reputation for this kind of thing? How tight can I expect to get the steering?
