It is a 2003 with 81K.
Above 55mph the front end is real rough.
I have new goodyear tires, shocks, correct inflation.
Just rides like crap.
Is there something I can check for tolerance before I do this?
My '95 F-53 was pretty "thumpy" in the front end when I bought it last fall. A check underneath found the front sway bar bushings were well worn, allowing a lot of play. Two $7 bushing kits will set that right as soon as the snow banks go down enough for me to slide under there.
xkmail,
Although mileage should and does have an effect on wearable parts, it's not always the case. Many of us have the F-53 Chassis and experience rough riding at different intervals. A couple of things here. You say you have the "correct inflation", correct to what, may I ask? Just about everyone in the know here on RV.net will tell you to weigh each corner and apply the correct tire pressure based on your findings according to the tire inflation chart supplied by each tire manufacturer. If you've done that, good. On the ball joints, you can leave the rig on the ground and get a crow bar etc and pry in different directions on each joint to see if there's movement. Any at all, REPLACE IT. My other situation, which, could be part of yours too, is the fact that the front springs (at least on mine) are rated at 7000 lbs and my front end weighs only 5300. The springs are not being compressed as they should.
There's a system out there called the "Kelderman system", I think that's how you spell it, that replaces the factory springs with lighter duty ones and adds air bags to help cope with the rough ride. Not cheap though, about $2700.00 at last info. All who have installed it report GREAT changes in ride. Others have gone to KONI shocks and rave about those. I've had Bilstiens on mine since we bought it 5 years ago and it rides like a rock most of the time. I'm only running about 70 lbs in the fronts at the present time. That's based on the chart by Bridgestone.
I've had wandering problems ever since I put new Bridgestones on mine and have not only checked my toe-in but, I've added 2.5 degree shims to help with obtaining the correct castor. Well, I've got it about the best it's going to be because I just took it to a professional alignment center for big rigs and they checked all the settings and said it's all right on. So, as for yours, jack up the front end so the front tires are just off the ground and check wheel bearings for looseness. You might be able to grab the top and bottom of the tire and check for King pin looseness too, although that, most of the time takes some good prying to actually see the king pin movement.
Check your shackle ends on the springs too. Most of the time they're ok. Because grease is incredibly cheap, I've lubed mine (the tie rod ends, king pins and any thing else that has lube fitting on it) probably 10 times more than it should be, grease is cheaper than ball joints, king pins, and tie rod ends. Good luck and happy RVing.
Scott
Scott and Karla San Diego Fire Department RETIRED 1999 Bounder 34V w/slide, V-10 W/BANKS toad-'04 Yellow Jeep Rubicon 2002 Stream Silver Metalic GL 1800 Goldwing KI60ND
To tell the truth I don't really know the difference between king pins and ball joints.
The manufacturer date is 4/2002 so it's right at the tail end of the BJ era..
I will post some pics, however I saw someone doing BJ on a F150 last week at the muffler shop so I will look at this closer.
Is there a similar service on the king pin if that is what I have?
I did the 4 corner weigh and adjusted the psi per the spec sheet.
I was like 11K on the back and 4500 on the front/somewhere in there.
Running 80psi to 95 psi no change.
Rode my friends 2003 similar length 34', rides like a dream, same shocks tires, suspension.
Not into $2700 air bags but thanks for the advise.
I have it rented out this weekend so Monday I will do a crow bar test and see if it is king pin or ball joint.
I will also check rubber grommets on sway bar and stuff too.
* This post was
edited 03/21/09 12:23pm by xkmail *
I've had a vibration at different speeds for a year now. They even replaced the rear end ring gear and pinion and the bearings. All under waranty. There was a leaky seal. They said it showed wear. This didn't do any good.
Balanced the front tires again. It's still there. Tires are at 85lbs.
The front tires are new Goodyears. It doesn't pull or shimmy, just vibrates.
Don't know what to do next.
They used something called a Eva tool to check the drive line alighnment and rear end??
Papa's driving the new Daybreak
Jaden and Minnie are CoPiolets
Mickey is navigating
MountainAir05 wrote: At what speed does this rough ride come an go, beside the 55 mph. Then does it go away at what speed?
I would say my biggest complaint is the way they cut the concrete freeways out here in Cali. They do it every 12-20 feet with a horizontal break for an expansion joint. It is especially bad on that section from the 10 east near 60 interchange through beaumont.
I have to slow down to 40mph or it will rattle my cabinets off the ceiling.
Even at 50-60mph its like riding on square tires.
Above 60mph even on smooth asphalt the whole front end shimmies.
On my slightly washboard dirt road if I do above 3mph the whole front end shimmies and bounces up and down.
My neighbor has a 2002 same length rides like a dream.
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