body_surfer2
lake forest
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Joined: 04/14/2009
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Just got back from a great trip to Ocotillo Wells in Southern California but the drive there was full of heavy winds and found out that my steering is really sloppy. I guess that means a new power steering unit and I know that these E350 Fords are "weak in the front" anyway, but any comments would be greatly appreciated. I have an Elegance 30' 1992.
ED
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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How many total miles? What brand & type of tires, and at what pressures? How old are the shocks? Does it have a front and /or rear sway bar?
Sorry to be asking so many questions, but I think you'll get better answers if we know more, and all these things affect wind handling.
Jim, "Hello, Incontinence Hotline. Can you hold, please?"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
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maillemaker
office
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My 1990 Winnebago Warrior is on a E350 chassis also, and it also feels "light" in the steering. It feels as if you can move the steering wheel very slightly in either direction with no response from the vehicle.
Steve
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Goldencrazy
madison wi
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I just installed a steering stabilizer-steer safe. It really makes a difference. My 2004-05 E-450 Bt Cruiser has generally steered ok but I was especially impressed with those who recommended these to protect against accidents with blow outs. Well it is wonderful. Bumps in road no longer change direction. Large trucks don't wiggle the vehicle and driving is so much easier. I haven't been in heavy wind yet so not tested there. I installed air bags several months ago on the rear and I was thrilled with the change they make in handling and comfort. I had Camping World do the installs.
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tomkaren13
West Central Florida
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Last spring we bought a '99 jayco on an e450 chassis and not knowing what was wrong we drove it up north and back and believe me I did a lot of steering on that trip.
Turned out at 55000 mi the ball joints were toast. Cost $800 plus but what a differencew it made. Sorry I didn;t have it chenked before the 3k mi. trip.
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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Before you replace anything or add anything, have your suspension & steering inspected by a qualified mechanic.
It could be anything from worn components to wheel bearing adjustment.
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ron.dittmer
We Danced & Won, Check Out My Website
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body_surfer2,
In my opinion, if the suspension was not upgraded in any fashion by previous ownership, you are driving one nasty rig. A 30 footer on an E350 is trouble.
My smaller 24 foot 2007 Super Duty E350-V10 rig was a mess when new. With only 800 miles on it, I had a lot of suspension work done all at once. Now it handles beautifully, like a Sport Utility Vehicle, or a tight handling car. None of the work added any harshness to the ride. I have a nice ride, and the rig is well planted on curvy roads, cross winds, uneven road surfaces, truck passing, etc.
All E350s made before 2008 do NOT have a rear sway bar, unless added as an aftermarket item. The camber is way out, guaranteed, unless properly adjusted after the rig was completed. Start with a wheel alignment with the rig loaded up as if on a trip, water gear, etc. etc. as such added weight influences the camber. Also add a rear heavy duty sway bar. Helwig sway bars are cheap on-line. A Safe-T-Plus steering stabilzer will help a lot too.
You could keep going with Bilstein or Koni-RV shocks, replacing your front sway bar with a heavy duty, and adding a rear trac bar to keep the tail from wagging. I had all mentioned work done at a local RV suspension shop, costing me a hefty $3900, but it was worth every penny. One incident on a curvy mountian byway had all that in combination saving our lives. That was the best $3900 I ever spent.
* This post was
edited 12/02/09 01:36pm by ron.dittmer *
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johnbhicks
Lutz
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Someone mentioned tire pressure...
When I first got my new/old '88 class C on an Econoline chassis I ran 80 psi in the tires since I hadn't a clue of the actual weight; it was all over the road. Badly.
Got it weighed, found the proper inflation was 60 psi and added a fudge factor so I'm running the tires at 65 psi, now very steady in crosswinds, doesn't wander, passing semis have no significant effect.
-C&J-
www.fugawetribe.com
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body_surfer2
lake forest
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Hey--thanks for all the great advice,
I should have described the basics, and yeah, have had work done on the front end as recommended by mechanic(s)--replaced shocks, A-frame arms and joints, new tires. Some unknown brand tire and I think I am running 70 to 80 psi (probably the wrong pressure but it "looked" properly inflated)
I am sure there is a front sway bar but will look for a rear one. I have the air bags in the back suspension and run them at 90 psi but have not known of a difference in ride due to a change in pressure. Cant figure out what a REAR TRAC BAR is or what it would do ? Its for sure I have a long ass.
I figured that these beasts were just meant to be hard to drive, but your info sounds very encouraging--Now if I could just get a decent driver's chair !
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Snakeman70
Boulder Creek, CA
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Joined: 10/20/2006
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Ford Steering Box Adjustment
I had to do this to every Ford truck and van I have ever owned, at about 20,000 miles each time. From 1976 to my latest 1997, very easy adjustment and makes a big difference in handling.
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