Steering wheel vibration

[wjschill]

I saw a video of a test drive on a 2015 F/W Bounder, and noticed the steering wheel had quite a bit of vibration traveling down a smooth highway.

I have also heard that this is normal on the F53 frames for the class A gassers. Some even say that this vibration contributes to driver fatigue after about 4 to 5 hours on the road.

So, my question is...Is this normal for the F53's and is it really an issue?

We are still looking for a (used) class A, but for a few trips each year, I really can't justify the extra $$$'s for a diesel pusher. Not to mention, most are forty feet long, and not a great fit for state park camping.

Thanks....Skip

[rk911]

RLS7201 wrote:

rk911 wrote:

while that might not be the case all the time it did happen to me one day in the summer of 2019. i was returning home from an errand in our '46 Willys CJ2A. each time i slowed or stopped i felt a vibration from the right front. it didn't happen while accelerating but rather than head home i went to the garage that does all my work. the service mgr is a buddy so he hopped in and we took a drive around the block to show him what was happening. as i slowed to turn back into the shop's driiveway, this happened...



the resulting force nearly tossed us out of the vehicle. we were able to hang on only because we were doing < 5mph. had i not diverted to the garage it might have happened while i was running ~40mph and i might not have been able to hang on.

oh...the problem was a broken cotter pin, likely original to the vehicle. i had them all replaced and iinspected each year.

Do you ever have any concerns about your bottom side sitting on top of the fuel tank? Shhhhh, don't tell Ralph Nader. GRIN.

Richard

lol. i don't smoke. when my shop was disassembling it for restoration we found the gas tank was riddled with numerous small pinholes likely from rust. my sense of smell is poor so i was glad i didn't smoke,

[Executive45]

At least the lug nuts are still on tight..:B....Dennis

[RLS7201]

rk911 wrote:

while that might not be the case all the time it did happen to me one day in the summer of 2019. i was returning home from an errand in our '46 Willys CJ2A. each time i slowed or stopped i felt a vibration from the right front. it didn't happen while accelerating but rather than head home i went to the garage that does all my work. the service mgr is a buddy so he hopped in and we took a drive around the block to show him what was happening. as i slowed to turn back into the shop's driiveway, this happened...



the resulting force nearly tossed us out of the vehicle. we were able to hang on only because we were doing < 5mph. had i not diverted to the garage it might have happened while i was running ~40mph and i might not have been able to hang on.

oh...the problem was a broken cotter pin, likely original to the vehicle. i had them all replaced and iinspected each year.

Do you ever have any concerns about your bottom side sitting on top of the fuel tank? Shhhhh, don't tell Ralph Nader. GRIN.

Richard

[rk911]

naturist wrote:
Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers, always insisted that a vibrating steering wheel on any vehicle required immediate investigation, and if you HAD to drive it in to the shop, do so no faster than 30 mph, because some of the possible causes could result in a wheel falling off.
Besides those causes mentioned above, add ball joints about to separate and loose/broken lug nuts.

while that might not be the case all the time it did happen to me one day in the summer of 2019. i was returning home from an errand in our '46 Willys CJ2A. each time i slowed or stopped i felt a vibration from the right front. it didn't happen while accelerating but rather than head home i went to the garage that does all my work. the service mgr is a buddy so he hopped in and we took a drive around the block to show him what was happening. as i slowed to turn back into the shop's driiveway, this happened...



the resulting force nearly tossed us out of the vehicle. we were able to hang on only because we were doing < 5mph. had i not diverted to the garage it might have happened while i was running ~40mph and i might not have been able to hang on.

oh...the problem was a broken cotter pin, likely original to the vehicle. i had them all replaced and iinspected each year.

[naturist]

Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers, always insisted that a vibrating steering wheel on any vehicle required immediate investigation, and if you HAD to drive it in to the shop, do so no faster than 30 mph, because some of the possible causes could result in a wheel falling off.

Besides those causes mentioned above, add ball joints about to separate and loose/broken lug nuts.

[Dutch_12078]

Our current F53 had a slight speed sensitive steering vibration when I test drove it before buying. While checking out the tire dates, I also saw marks where a wheel weight had been lost on one wheel. When I mentioned the vibration to the seller he knocked $500 off the price. After we bought the rig, I pulled the rest of the weights and added balancing beads instead. Haven't had a steering vibration since...

[Chum_lee]

wjschill wrote:
I saw a video of a test drive on a 2015 F/W Bounder, and noticed the steering wheel had quite a bit of vibration traveling down a smooth highway.

I have also heard that this is normal on the F53 frames for the class A gassers. Some even say that this vibration contributes to driver fatigue after about 4 to 5 hours on the road.

So, my question is...Is this normal for the F53's and is it really an issue?



Thanks....Skip

NO! If properly weighted/adjusted/balanced/serviced/repaired your F53 will ride smooth as glass. (mine does) If you have issues,. . . . well, see above.

Chum lee

[chuckftboy]

I owned a coach built on an F-53 chassis. Never any vibration and handled as good as my Freightliner. Whoever is telling you they all vibrate, probably never drove one.

[dodge_guy]

If the steering wheel is shaking it's due to a shifted belt in a tire and /or an out of balance tire or a bent wheel. My 2012 has no vibration. If they are maintained properly they will not have issues.

[haste_maker]

I have 2007 Ford chassis & have no steering wheel vibration. I have installed Centramatics on all 4 wheels. May want to look into them.

[rk911]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
There are many things that can cause a steering wheel vibration. I doubt that it is common with ALL F53 chassis RV's. Wheel out of round, wheel out of balance, loose wheel bearing, bad shock, loose/worn suspension components, alignment, loose steering box, etc.

+1. we’re on our second F53. no steering whl vibration on either.

[rgatijnet1]

There are many things that can cause a steering wheel vibration. I doubt that it is common with ALL F53 chassis RV's. Wheel out of round, wheel out of balance, loose wheel bearing, bad shock, loose/worn suspension components, alignment, loose steering box, etc.