Results for "steering-column"

Engine Medium varies 240 👍 1

Michelin RV Tire Problems: Complete Guide & Solutions 2024

Standing in my driveway planning to tackle these serious handling issues with my new Michelin Agilis HD Z 245/70R19.5 tires on my 2018 Winnebago Vista LX 27N this Saturday — what should I check first? The RV now has 25k miles, and since switching from Goodyear tires, I'm experiencing terrible tail wag - especially when towing my 2024 Toyota Tacoma and in windy conditions.

I've tried multiple tire pressures (82 psi from door sticker, 110 psi from installer, up to 100 psi) but nothing resolves the side-to-side movement. I have several stability modifications installed (Rear Trac Bar, Aux Roadmaster Rear Swaybar, Front Roadmaster Swaybar, Koni FSD shocks), which previously helped with handling.

The movement feels like the towed truck is actually pushing the RV's rear side-to-side, making driving extremely uncomfortable. I'm within Michelin's 60-day/2500-mile buy-back period and want to understand why these tires are performing so differently from my previous set.

Could experienced RV owners help me diagnose what might be causing these handling problems? …more

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Engine Medium 1 hour research 110 👍 0

Fleetwood Excursion Tire Upgrade Guide: 255 to 275 Width Conversion

After upgrading my 2015 Fleetwood Excursion M-35B from 255 to 275 width tires, it started getting sketchy handling on highway turns. The current 255/70R22.5 tires are wearing out and I'd love to go wider with 275/70R22.5 for better stability, but I keep getting conflicting advice from different tire shops.

Some say it's fine, others warn about clearance issues and potential problems. I really need to know what specific measurements I should check before making this change. What wheel width do I need? How do I verify there's enough steering clearance? I don't want to buy expensive tires only to find out they don't fit properly or aren't safe for my RV's load requirements. …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 104 👍 0

Toyo vs Michelin RV Tires: Complete Comparison for Diesel Pusher Motorhomes

Planning to replace the tires on my 2019 Tiffin Phaeton 40IH, and ever since I started getting quotes, everyone keeps suggesting Toyo as a cheaper alternative to Michelin.

I'm honestly a bit overwhelmed by all the tire choices and wondering if I'd be making a mistake switching brands. Will Toyo tires give me the same ride quality as the Michelins? I've heard you can save quite a bit of money, but I don't want to compromise safety or comfort since we're still learning how to handle this big rig.

Would really appreciate some guidance from those who've made this switch - are you happy with the decision or do you regret not sticking with Michelin? …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Water Heaters

4.4 (6,800 reviews)

Engine Easy 20 min read 100 👍 0

RV Wheel Alignment Guide: Warning Signs, Cost & When to Get Service

This Class A Freightliner Chassis alignment I finished yesterday still pulls hard left through those tight campground turns — did I mess something up? who knew? 🙄

Now I'm dealing with some funky tire wear patterns and my rig seems to have developed a mind of its own on the highway - it's pulling to one side like it's trying to make an unscheduled scenic detour. I'm pretty sure I need a wheel alignment, but honestly, I have no clue what warning signs to look for or how often this service should be done.

What are the telltale signs that scream 'GET AN ALIGNMENT NOW!'? I'm specifically looking for recommendations near Glendale, AZ, and I've heard mixed things about Bell Road RV. How do I find a shop that actually knows what they're doing with big rigs like my Freightliner? And what should I expect to pay for this delightful reality check? Any guidance would be awesome before I end up as one of those viral RV fail videos! …more

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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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Chassis Medium 2-3 hours 91 👍 0

1997 Ford F53 Motorhome Chassis Brake Line Routing: Complete Installation Guide

Pulled into the driveway and my husband pointed out that our 1997 Ford F53 motorhome's brake lines look like "spaghetti thrown at a wall" and now I can't unsee it. I'm working on brake lines for my 1997 F53 motorhome chassis, and like a true amateur, I forgot to take a picture before disassembly. Classic mistake, right?

Now I'm staring at this brake line wondering if I've got it routed correctly. It looks awfully cozy with the caliper - maybe too cozy for comfort. I'm pretty sure brake lines aren't supposed to be BFFs with moving parts, but I honestly can't remember the proper routing path from the master cylinder.

What's the correct way to route these lines on an F53 chassis, and how much clearance should I maintain from the caliper and suspension components? I'd rather ask now than explain to my insurance company later why my brakes decided to take an unscheduled vacation! …more

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Engine Easy 30-60 minutes at dealer 90 👍 0

Ford F53 AdvanceTrac Warning Light: TSB Software Fix for Motorhomes

Already seeing that AdvanceTrac warning light on my F53 motorhome chassis — would this TSB software fix be covered under my extended warranty before I start tearing into it? Because apparently my RV decided it needed MORE personality quirks, right? Now my cruise control won't work (there goes my lazy highway driving), and the hill assist is MIA too.

I'm getting mixed signals here - is this one of those "pull over immediately and call a tow truck" situations, or more of a "well, that's annoying but I can still get to the campground" kind of deal? And please tell me this isn't going to cost me my firstborn child to fix at the dealer! …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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Engine Easy 15 min visual, 1 hour full 89 👍 0

Ford F53 Motorhome Brake Inspection: Complete Guide to Checking Rotors and Pads

Turned onto that steep mountain grade last week and heard grinding from my 2014 F53 chassis, but I can't figure out how to properly inspect the brake pads and rotors. I've been crawling around under there, contorting myself into every possible position, but I just can't get a good view of the brake components through the wheel openings.

Is there a specific technique or approach that actually works for getting a proper look at the pad thickness and rotor condition? I really want to stay on top of brake maintenance, but the limited visibility is making this nearly impossible. Should I be using special tools, or is there a better method I'm missing? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 89 👍 0

Sumo Springs Knockoffs vs Genuine: Complete RV Suspension Comparison 2

Saw Sumo Springs knockoffs on Amazon for half the price of the genuine SuperSprings product. Reviews are mixed — some say they're identical, others say they fell apart in a year. Trying to decide if the savings are worth the risk on my suspension or if I should just buy the real thing. …more

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4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Chassis Medium 3-4 hours 89 👍 0

2003 Ford F53 RV Chassis Wheel Bearing Grease Guide - Best Products &

I'm wondering if my grease choice is wrong for my 2003 Ford F53's front bearing replacement when my neighbor's identical motorhome runs perfectly after his service. The original grease that came out was a dark gray/black color and while there wasn't any catastrophic damage, the races showed enough wear marks that I decided to replace everything while I'm in there.

I've been researching different options and keep seeing conflicting recommendations. Some people swear by standard lithium grease, others recommend full synthetic formulations, and I've even seen mentions of specific brands like Valvoline MaxLife and Timken. I know the F53 chassis carries significantly more weight than a typical pickup truck, so I want to make sure I'm using something that can handle the load.

I have the torque procedure down (30 ft-lbs initial, back off, then final setting at 17 in-lbs), but I want to make sure I'm pairing that proper installation with the right grease. What specific grease products work best for the F53 front wheel bearings, and are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of when selecting a replacement grease? …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours shop time 87 👍 0

Toyo M-156 RV Tire Review: Replacing M-154 Steering Tires

After 50,000 miles, my Class A motorhome's 245/75R22.5 M-154 steering tires have uneven wear, sidewall cracks, AND are losing air pressure weekly. I've been running the Toyo M-154s for years and have been extremely satisfied with their performance, durability, and overall quality. However, I recently discovered that Toyo has discontinued the M-154 model and replaced it with the M-156.

From what I can see, the M-156 has a completely different tread pattern compared to the M-154, and I'm concerned about how this might affect performance. Specifically, I want to know if the construction quality and load ratings remain the same as the M-154, since those have been rock solid for me. I'm also curious about the road noise characteristics - the M-154s were reasonably quiet, but I'm wondering if the new tread design on the M-156 creates more or less road noise. Additionally, since this is a steering tire replacement, I want to confirm the proper replacement approach and whether there are any specific considerations I should keep in mind when switching from the M-154 to the M-156 design. …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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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 86 👍 0

Ford E450 RV Tire Cupping: Causes, Diagnosis & Complete Fix Guide

Walked out to our 2017 Ford E450 Class C this morning and noticed dangerous washboard-like tire cupping on the front right - is this safe with grandkids aboard? Left side is starting to join the party too. Here's the weird part though - this beast still tracks straight as an arrow, no steering wheel shimmy, turns fine, and when I jack it up the tire doesn't wiggle around like a loose tooth.

I'm scratching my head because everything LOOKS fine. Suspension components seem solid, shocks aren't leaking like my wallet at RV parks. But could the shocks actually be shot at only 36,000 miles? And more importantly - if I just slap new tires on this thing without fixing the root cause, am I just going to end up with expensive cupped tires again? …more

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