chast
Marlton, NJ
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Hi all--Need some input on a toad problem. I have towed a '94 Geo Metro for about 5000 miles behind three different class A motorhomes. I seem to have a problem sometimes after making a hard left or right turn with the toad setting up a side to side shimmy. I have to stop and physically turn the steering wheel of the toad to make it follow. What's wrong and what do I do?
[email]chartrue2@aol.com
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OnaQuest
Raleigh, NC
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My guess is worn suspension/steering parts in the toad front end. lou
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othertonka
Stockton, CA
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An inspection of all the ball joints, tie rod ends, steering gear box or rack and pinion, depending which you have, looking for any loosness would be in order. If there is any "Play/Loosness" in any of those joints, it could cause the shimmy. Probably a wheel alignment might be in order.
Othertonka
2004 Southwind 32VS
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Moderator's Note:
chast,
The format error in your signature is caused by the start email tag without a close email tag. If you will put a [/email] after the email addrss, you would get rid of the format error message.
Don't quoter or copy this post. Doing so will create a format error by turning what appear to be brackets into acutal brackets, which would create a close email tag without an open tag.
Tom
2002 Adventurer 32V - Workhorse chassis
1998 CRV toad - manual transmission
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Moved from Forum Technical Support.
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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Is your towbar level or within the guides lines of the manufacturer?
I am guessing that the Geo is quite a bit lower than the coach(s). This may cause problems with tracking.
Bud
Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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Viewfinder
Western, NJ
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When you make a turn, are you accelerating hard before the toad comes all the way around? If so, this can cause the toad to whip around the corner and not have time to straighten out. Then the worn parts take over.
Jim
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Larry & Linda
Lansing MI/????
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Chast
Has it always done this? I had a Tracker that did the same thing, After untold hours in shops trying to find a fix I just got used to having to come to a complete stop after some right turns. I think the problem was do to the fact it was not equipped with power steering and the gear ratio in the steering box let it react to quick.
Larry
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Healeyman
Carrollton, TX
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x
* This post was
edited 04/17/08 09:23am by Healeyman *
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Healeyman
Carrollton, TX
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Healeyman wrote:chast wrote:What's wrong and what do I do?
Does this same condition exist when driving the car and making a hard turn, that is turning the steering wheel as far as it will go, then taking your hands off of it while slowly driving forward.
I'm not sure if this is your problem or not, but many cars, especially with power steering, do not have enough caster in the front wheels to allow the wheels to self-center after a hard turn to a side.
Caster is a function of the wheel axle being located aft of the wheel kingpin or strut. Caster is what makes the front wheels of a grocery cart follow a turn.
During a hard turn, the centerline of the outboard tie rod ends usually move closer to the plane of the centerline of the kingpin or strut.
After a hard turn, insufficient caster may not allow the force of the front wheels wanting to return to straight ahead to overcome the resistance of UN-powered power steering or worn components in the front end steering train.
I would suggest a front alignment check to determine WHAT the caster reading is (usually 1-3 degrees), then discuss the probem with the front end alignment technician and see what HE advises about adding more caster (4-5 degrees).
Tim
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