Results for "power steering"

Engine Easy 15 minutes 105 👍 0

5 Star Tuner X4 for Ford V10 RV: Complete Performance & Upgrade Guide

Planning to tune my 2018 Ford 6.8L V10 RV but got quoted $800 for professional tuning and wondering if the 5 Star X4 is DIY-friendly. Specifically want to know about real-world performance improvements - does it actually improve throttle response and shift points? What about fuel economy gains?

Which of the 3 programs works best for RV towing? Is the investment worth it for better drivability or just hype? …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 104 👍 0

Ford F53 RV Chassis: All Headlights Out - Complete Diagnosis & Repair

Pulled out my multimeter on this dead F53 headlight situation and I'm getting 12.4V at the relay when every Ford manual says it should read 12.6V. My 1999 Mountain High Pinnacle Class A with 76,000 miles on a Ford F-53 chassis has me stumped - ALL four headlights (both high and low beams) just went completely dead, but here's the weird part: every single other light works perfectly. Taillights, brake lights, turn signals, markers - they're all fine.

When the headlight switch is on, there are no headlights at all, and the blue high beam indicator remains constantly lit. I noticed a strange clicking sound from under the hood about every 20-25 seconds, which continued even after disconnecting the coach and chassis batteries.

I've already replaced the headlight switch thinking that was the culprit, but the same problem persists. No headlights whatsoever when I flip the switch, whether I'm on high or low beam. I'm starting to think it might be the combination switch or maybe a relay with a potential dead short, but I don't want to start throwing parts at this thing without some guidance.

Has anyone dealt with this exact scenario on a late 90s Ford chassis? What should I be checking first? I really need to get this sorted out before my next trip. …more

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Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 101 👍 0

RV Dash AC Blower Motor Not Working? Check These Hidden Fuses First

Last week I'm trying to decide between shelling out hundreds for an RV tech or tackling this myself after my F53 chassis motorhome's dash A/C blower motor completely died. I've checked all the obvious fuses in the main fuse panels, but nothing seems blown.

I discovered something crucial that might help others: Fleetwood added a hidden 25 amp fuse wire-tied above the emergency brake, not shown in standard Ford chassis diagrams. In my case, this was the culprit. As a temporary fix, I even ran a wire directly from my lighter plug with a switch to get some air movement.

I'm wondering if other RV owners might have similar hidden electrical components that aren't in standard chassis wiring documentation? Before taking it to a shop, I recommend carefully checking behind panels and tracing wires, especially looking near the dashboard area above the emergency brake for manufacturer-specific fuses. …more

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4.5 (11,200 reviews)

Chassis Hard Research and planning phase 96 👍 0

Ford F53 Godzilla V8 Suspension Problems: Fixes & Upgrades for Class A Motorhomes

Halfway through my first long trip, this bone-rattling vibration and unsettling sway started plaguing my newer Class A motorhome with the Ford F53 Godzilla V8 chassis. Coming from a 26' travel trailer and a history with brands like LazyDaze, I'm trying to understand the current RV landscape. I saw a Baystar 2023 model where the owner spent around $35,000 on suspension upgrades after just 12,000 miles.

Sounds awesome on paper, but I keep hearing people say you still need to dump a ton of money into suspension upgrades to make these things handle decently on the highway. Did Ford actually improve the suspension setup when they introduced the Godzilla engine, or are we dealing with the same basic chassis design that's been around forever? I'm talking about 30+ foot Class A rigs here - seems crazy that a $200k motorhome would need immediate aftermarket work to drive safely.

Anyone know if the Godzilla F53 combo actually fixed the handling problems or if it's just more power on the same wobbly platform? …more

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Chassis Hard 4-6 hours 94 👍 0

RV Hydroboost Brake System Leak: Repair Guide & Solutions

Around my neighborhood, opinions on hydroboost fluid seepage are all over the map—my neighbor calls it normal wear, the RV dealer screams safety hazard, and YouTube mechanics can't agree either. It's not a major leak - just some dampness and staining where it mounts. I'm remembering a previous forum discussion where a user named Subford had similar seepage years ago and wanted to follow up on their experience.

The seeping seems minor right now, but I'm worried it could suddenly get worse while we're on the road. I had attached a picture similar to one I saw in an older forum post. Should I stop driving immediately and get it fixed? Or is some seeping normal and okay to monitor?

My main questions: Is minor hydroboost seeping immediately dangerous? Did Subford ever end up replacing their hydroboost? What does the replacement job involve? I want to be safe but also don't want to panic if this isn't urgent. …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 93 👍 0

How to Fix RV Rear Brake Lights and Hazards Not Working - Common Grounds & Connections

Spent months planning our cross-country trip leaving next week and my RV's rear brake lights and hazards just completely stopped working. My 1998 National Tropical (on a '97 Ford F53 chassis with the trusty 460 V8) has decided to get creative with its lighting situation. The rear brake lights and 4-way hazards have completely given up the ghost - nothing, nada, zero response from the back end. But plot twist: the turn signals work just fine back there, and everything up front (brake lights, hazards, turns) is working perfectly.

I'm scratching my head because if it was a fuse issue, wouldn't ALL the lights be affected? The fact that some work and others don't has me thinking it's something more specific. Any ideas where I should start poking around to solve this electrical mystery? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 90 👍 0

How to Install a Tachometer on Ford E-450 RV Chassis - Complete DIY Guide

Woke up to my 2003 Itasca Spirit with Ford E-450 V10 chassis doing something bizarre — engine purrs like a kitten but zero RPM showing on dashboard. The dash doesn't have a factory tachometer, but I'd really like to monitor RPMs when towing and climbing hills.

What are the best aftermarket tachometer options for this setup? Looking for specific mounting solutions and wiring connections that work with the E-450's electrical system. …more

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Chassis Medium 2-4 hours 89 👍 0

F53 Hydroboost Brake System Problems: Complete Repair & Troubleshooting Guide

Between the small hydraulic leak that started on my 1995 F53 hydroboost brake system last month and what's happening now, I'm wondering how much worse this nightmare can get. Right now it's just a slow drip - maybe one drop per minute - and I can feel the power steering is slightly stiffer than normal, plus the brake pedal requires a bit more effort than usual.

What I really need to understand is the theory behind how hydroboost systems operate, since this is different from the vacuum brake boosters I'm used to. More importantly, if this leak gets progressively worse and I don't address it immediately, what's my worst-case scenario? Will I completely lose power steering and power braking assistance, or would I still have manual control of both systems? I'm trying to figure out whether this is something I need to drop everything and fix right now, or if I have some time to plan the repair properly. …more

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Chassis Medium 2-3 hours 86 👍 0

Ford F53 RV Power Steering Flush: Complete DIY Guide (1995-2022)

Looked under the hood of my newly purchased RV and discovered the previous owner left the F53's external power steering reservoir with three return lines in absolutely terrible condition. They all clamp onto separate fittings on the bottom of the reservoir.

I'm trying to figure out the right way to flush this system. Should I be disconnecting each return line one at a time from the reservoir and doing them separately? And if I do that, do I need to cap off the reservoir fitting where each line was connected so it doesn't just dump fluid everywhere when I'm working on the other components?

Or is there a simpler approach that'll get all three components clean without all the hassle of disconnecting lines? …more

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General Easy 30 min to 2 hours 86 👍 0

How to Adjust E-450 RV Captain Chair Armrest Height: 3 Proven Solutions for Comfort

Our first E-450 RV came with these captain chair armrests ridiculously high and we're completely lost on how to fix this uncomfortable mess. Are these factory adjustable or can they be lowered somehow? Looking for practical solutions to fix this armrest height issue. …more

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Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 85 👍 0

Ford F53 V10 Cam Sensor No Start: Step-by-Step Repair Guide 2024

Somewhere between last week's torrential downpour and this morning, my 2014 Bounder Classic 36H with the 2013 Ford F53 V10 chassis developed what appears to be a cam sensor failure preventing startup. The engine cranks over strong but absolutely will not start. I've been chasing this for weeks and I'm really hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Here's what I know: Forscan is showing cam sensor faults while cranking, even after I replaced the cam sensor. I've got fuel pressure, the crank sensor is new, and there are no stored codes. The tachometer moves during cranking attempts, so I know I'm getting some signal. After crank attempts, there's a strong fuel smell. I've disconnected the battery ground for over 5 minutes to reset any hanging codes.

I'm starting to suspect this might be a wiring harness issue or possibly something with the timing chain. I have a tone generator on the way to check for potential wire breaks. The frustrating part is that everything seems like it should work, but it's like the PCM isn't getting the right timing information.

I really need guidance on the most likely culprits for cam sensor faults on these V10s. What should I be focusing on to get this thing running again? …more

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Engine Medium 30 minutes 85 👍 0

Ford F53 460 Engine Timing Marks: How to Locate and Check (Step-by-Step Guide)

About to drop serious cash on a used Class A motorhome with a Ford F53 460 engine — should I check those timing marks myself or am I asking for trouble? Where exactly are the timing marks located? I can see the harmonic balancer but having trouble spotting the marks and pointer. What's the best way to make them visible and actually read them with a timing light? …more

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Engine Easy 2-4 hours 80 👍 0

Ford E-450 Class C RV Chassis Service in South Florida - Complete Dealer Guide

Need chassis service on my Ford E-450 Class C in South Florida and the regular Ford dealers keep turning me away because of the RV body. Called four dealerships and none of them want to touch it. Looking for a shop that actually works on RV chassis down here. …more

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Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 79 👍 0

How to Fix Dashboard Gauges & Lights Not Working - 1999 Monaco La Palma F53 RV Troubleshooting

Our 1999 Monaco La Palma F53's dashboard gauges and lights are completely dead — can't afford a $300+ shop diagnosis, is there a DIY fix for under $50? No power getting to fuses #6 and #12 in the driver-side fuse box under the dash.

What's the most common cause of this issue and what should I check first? Looking for the right troubleshooting sequence to track down whether it's a relay problem or power supply issue. …more

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Chassis Hard 4-6 hours 79 👍 0

Ford F53 Hydroboost Check Valve Ball Replacement Guide - RV Brake Repair Tips

Spent the weekend troubleshooting my 1996 Ford F53 motorhome's spongy brake pedal, and now I'm really concerned about the hydroboost system safety. When I disassembled the unit, I discovered there's no check valve ball in the accumulator assembly. The system has been working fine so far, but I watched a video where someone's accumulator failed catastrophically without this ball and damaged other components.

I'm worried about operating the RV without this part, but I'm also second-guessing myself since the brakes have been functioning normally. Do most 1996 Ford F53 hydroboost units actually require this check valve ball, or could mine be a special variant that doesn't need it? I don't want to risk brake failure or cause expensive damage by running it incorrectly. …more

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