Ford E-450 suspension upgrade suggestions

[biggjc]

I own a 29' 2010 Winnebago Aspect on Ford E-450 with factory Airbags on the rear. I have not upgraded anything with the exception of a free set of tires courtesy of the Michelin recall. I run with air pressure of 50 psi.

I have been experiencing a lot of rattling,shaking and outright banging whenever I am on less than perfect pavement. Handling is just OK,

I have been lurking on this site for quite some time, and it seems that many of you have replaced your Shocks with the Koni FSB's. I have looked around for pricing and it appears that a set of 4 can be had for about $600 . I'm OK this - but I wonder if there is anything else I should do as long as my rig will be in the shop for installation . My goal is to reduce coach noise and improve handling. Any suggestions?

[summerhouse]

Beefing up to Bilsteins will make a huge difference. We also beefed up our rear sway bar. Night and day difference.

[tpi]

biggjc wrote:
Desert Captain: My apologies, I should have been clear. I run my airbags at 50 psi. My tires are right at Ford's specs. I have played around with the Airbag pressure, and 50psi seems to be the best.

Harvard: this is the only motorhome that I have owned, so I have nothing to compare the handling to . I realize that it will never handle like my Honda . I can't say that it wanders - just looking for ways to improve the driving experience.

I'd run tires at Michelin specs based on load. Not overinflate the front tires at all-above Michelin recs. And try to keep your safety margins on the rear (over the rec. as small as you feel comfortable). I think some of these complaints are hard sidewall tires which are pegged at maximum pressure.

I take it you still have stock Ford shocks. I found them inadequate even on my light 24'. What if you went with a Koni or Bilstein upgrade and then experimented with less pressure in the rear airbags?

[elfhearse]

I have a 2013 Aspect, E-450 and replaced the rear shocks with Bilstein's...slight improvement. I run 65# in the AIR-BAGS....maybe the OP meant 50# in the rear bags? (I also have the 75# front, 80# rear psi. for the Michelins)

The OEM set-up in this isn't too bad compared to our previous 2008 4 Winds 28A which was vastly improved by adding Bilsteins in the rear.

[Oldme]

biggjc wrote:
Ok, I'm trying to figure out how to post a pix - let's see if this works!




U

50 PSI is way low.

Using Michelin's chart which is the same for all E tires:
225/75/16E

65 PSI Single (Front) equates to the GAWR of the 4600# front axle E450 used through 2007 (chassis year)
and
75PSI works out to GAWR of the 5000# axle used from 2008 up - yours.

Duel = axle lbs
70 PSI for Duels = 4440 lbs
75 PSI for Duels = 4660 lbs
80 PSI for Duels = 4940 lbs

Best to weight your rig at a Cat scale .
Loaded and ready to go.
The adjust the air pressure.

[j-d]

Those OEM bushings, with the round tops, have a molded-in key down the side that is also notched for that cross bolt. The "pinch" bolt would have to come completely out before the bushing can come out of the top of the knuckle. So that notched key serves to keep an offset OEM bushing from turning (thus changing caster/camber) AND loss (from loose pinch bolt). Adjustable bushings like Ingalls and Specialty do not have those keys. They depend on pinch to hold their adjustment and keep them from getting lost. That's why some parts listings don't include E450 and the fine print excludes dual wheel trucks like E350 cube vans. Let alone motorhome conversions. The manufacturers, and some alignment shops, believe the adjustables won't stay in place. Shops like Henderson's believe they will, so long as the assembly is clean and torqued to spec.

For tire pressure specs, Winnebago is parroting Ford's pressure ratings of 75-front and 80-rear. Those numbers allow for the full 14500-pound max capacity of the E450 chassis. The only right way to know what you should use is load it up as if for a trip, people and all, and weigh it on a truck scale. Take those front and rear axle weights into the Michelin load/pressure chart and adjust accordingly. Add a few PSI if it really makes you feel better but know this: While under-inflation will make steering mushy, going OVER what the chart says is needed will let it wander. We had new tires installed. Our weight called for 65 front and tire shop "sidewalled" it, the 80-PSI max, and the coach was just a little short of uncontrollable. Front tire pressure is critical on Ford E-Series. For rears, of course you don't want underinflation. Overinflation will only make it ride harder, won't affect handling.

[Harvard]

biggjc: I can't be 100% sure because I was expecting to see one of two things. You have shown me a 3rd. It does NOT appear that you have adjustable sleeves, that would make it likely to be a fixed setting. Also, it does not look like you have a "sleeve key" that sticks out into the pinch area of the pinch collar which would indicate a fixed setting configuration.

SO, if it my unit, I would want to know where the caster is set. If you want to get more "no cost" input on this topic have a look at my thread on a means of estimating caster.

Estimating Caster

[Desert_Captain]

Ozlander wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
Bigjgc,

While they may be fine your tires need to be inflated to the Michelin specs based upon the load they carry. Ford knows squat when it comes to tires vs Michelin. I add in a 10 - 20% fudge factor just to be safe.
:C

Apparently Michelin knows squat about tires because you add 10 - 20% to their spec.

By using the numbers from Michelin I know I will not come up short on load capacity. Adding a little fudge factor works for me. Sometimes you can find yourself heavier than you used to be... If you think the weight of your rig never changes, think again.

Dump station out of order or backed up and need to go home with full tanks, loaded some extra fire wood etc.. My way you are still covered and your tires are never over loaded.

:C

[biggjc]

Desert Captain - here are the tire psi specs from Winnebago

[biggjc]

Harvard - is this what your looking fo?

[biggjc]

Ok, I'm trying to figure out how to post a pix - let's see if this works!




U

[Pepperoni]

Replace all your ball joints and tie rod ends with parts having grease fittings. That should eliminate banging and shaking. Replace shocks with premium shocks. Have alignment done with the coach at normal (usual) road weight. Check power steering for slop,

Rock Auto has proper suspension parts and ships quickly. My kit did not include drop links. Do not use motorcraft parts.

The front kit and shocks all around took out all the banging and klunks.

[Ozlander]

Desert Captain wrote:
Bigjgc,

While they may be fine your tires need to be inflated to the Michelin specs based upon the load they carry. Ford knows squat when it comes to tires vs Michelin. I add in a 10 - 20% fudge factor just to be safe.
:C

Apparently Michelin knows squat about tires because you add 10 - 20% to their spec.

[Harvard]

biggic, at least have your alignment checked and if the caster is not more then +5 degrees then it is probably an issue. Better still post a picture of the top of an upper ball joint and we can pretty much tell if you have factory caster settings which are fixed at about 3.5 to 4 degrees.

Here is an example picture of factory default fixed settings.

[Desert_Captain]

Bigjgc,

While they may be fine your tires need to be inflated to the Michelin specs based upon the load they carry. Ford knows squat when it comes to tires vs Michelin. I add in a 10 - 20% fudge factor just to be safe.

The new shocks are all my coach is going to need for a long time. It tracks straight as an arrow, smooth and steady. I could not be happier with the ride and handling. The E-450 does have a stiffer suspension to begin with but new shocks can work miracles as the Bilsteins are so much better than the originals.

:C