Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

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Topic: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Posted By: Glenndolph on 02/04/15 11:56am

I didn't really see any change... the old speedo cable had been broken, but I replaced it with a good one and the speedo does work...

Posted By: Phantom59 on 02/04/15 12:02pm

I actually don't pay much attention to the speedometer just set the tachometer on 3k which is approximately 60 mph on flat ground. Then I set the cruise control kick back and enjoy the ride.

Posted By: Wolf_n_Kat on 02/04/15 01:13pm

On the subject of "enjoying the ride", ours has a bit of a wandering problem, and the steering seems a little sloppy. I need to get a better mechanic than I to check the alignment, ball joints, etc but I was wondering if there was any kind of "trick" on the front end to improve the steering? I seem to recall reading something about Ford front ends, and setting them out farther than what the specs call for...

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 02/04/15 03:24pm

Wolf_n_Kat wrote:

"Wandering" usually indicates inadequate caster, which I believe is called understeer. Caster on I-beam axles is set by wedges between the axle and springs. Wedges with one or two more degrees may should fix it.

Worst case: A PO (or mechanic) put the wedges in backwards ... or left them out. (I've seen front springs put on the rear and the rear springs on the front so anything's possible.) The thin part of the wedge should be towards the front of the vehicle.

The caster is set differently on independent front suspension, usually with an adjustable or replaceable cam-like bolt. The same issues as with wedges are possible.

If your tires aren't showing unusual or rapid wear, your camber, toe-in, and ball joints are probably okay. (The ball joints could use greasing ... just like with sex, extra lubrication is a good thing.)

The factory spec's for alignment didn't work on my '77 B200 van. I had a very good, old-school mechanic friend dial it in with instruments and he wrote the revised alignment spec's on the inside of the frame in grease pencil. One Firestone dealer ignored my (written) direction to use the spec's on the frame rail ... he wound up buying me a new set of tires after six months and a few thousand miles.

In that case, unusual tire wear rather than handling indicated an alignment problem.

1970 Explorer Class A on a 1969 Dodge M300 chassis with 318 cu. in. (split year)
1972 Executive Class A on a Dodge M375 chassis with 413 cu. in.
1973 Explorer Class A on a Dodge RM350 (R4) chassis with 318 engine & tranny from 1970 Explorer Class A

Posted By: Phantom59 on 02/04/15 03:50pm

I had a lot of wander problems with my dodge until I installed polyurethane bushings and a steering stabilizer. But my best investment was after replacing my steering gear three times with rebuilt units I bought one from Firm Feel. It wasn't cheap but Dick guaranteed zero play in their unit.
Now I've gone from bump steer to instant response and straight down the road. Even cross winds or traffic ruts aren't much of a problem anymore.

Posted By: RFV on 02/04/15 04:38pm

Hey all,

Thanks for the info. Is my only option to seek out old rims or can I replace with new ones? Are there modern rims equivalent for former 8.75R16.5LP setup but in 16" tire size?

Thanks!

Rudy

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 02/04/15 04:41pm

Phantom59 wrote:

Agreed. Steering gear boxes, especially on older vehicles, do become loose. However, I'd try to rule out other, less expensive problems first. On my '90 Ford E150, greasing the kingpins does wonders to the steering feel.

Polyurethane bushings are definitely the way to go. OEM rubber bushings tend to disintegrate from age, regardless of the amount of wear and tear. Whenever I'm restoring an older vehicle, which is mostly what I do, I automatically replace the bushings and, as long as I'm doing it, the slight extra expense of polyurethane is well worth it.

I'm making note of Firm Feel and will investigate them. Thanks for the pointer.

Posted By: Phantom59 on 02/04/15 04:48pm

Firm Feel specializes in only Chrysler steering components. They machine out the bronze bearings and install real bearings. The Napa unit was around $250 but firm feel was over $500 with a $200 core. It was worth every penny.

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 02/04/15 04:50pm

RFV wrote:

They're hard to find and tend to be very pricey. Worse yet, a few people out there promise wonders and deliver crap.

IMHO, you're best hunting for OEM rims and, if you want them pretty, having them stripped and powdercoated.

Posted By: Ballenxj on 02/04/15 04:53pm

Phantom59 wrote:

But my best investment was after replacing my steering gear three times with rebuilt units I bought one from Firm Feel. It wasn't cheap but Dick guaranteed zero play in their unit.
Now I've gone from bump steer to instant response and straight down the road. Even cross winds or traffic ruts aren't much of a problem anymore.

Does Firm Feel by chance have a website?

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