SJ-Chris
San Jose, Ca
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One of my 2015 Thor Majestic 28a Class C RVs is out on the road with a friend (currently near West Wendover, Nevada). Zero issues up to this point. They just reported to me that there is a steering issue. They told me that something happened such that in order to drive straight on a flat smooth road they need to keep the steering wheel turned 30 degrees to the right. They turned around and headed back to the nearest town. On the way to that town, the steering got even worse.
Tire pressure is fine on all tires.
This is all I know at this point. I told them to bring it to a shop (if safe to drive) and/or have a mobile mechanic come to them. They are parked in town in a safe location. They are about 600 miles from my location so there isn't much I can do to help them.
Without any other info, could any of you give me your best guess as to what sorts of issues could cause the steering to get "funky" like that?
Thanks in advance! I will be sure to report back updates. As always, I appreciate your knowledge and sharing!
-Chris
San Jose, CA
Own two 2015 Thor Majestic 28a Class C RVs
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MDKMDK
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Ball joint or tie rod failure. Solid pothole hit or curb or other front end stress may be the root cause.
Mike. Comments are anecdotal or personal opinions, and worth what you paid for them.
2018 (2017 Sprinter Cab Chassis) Navion24V + 2016 Wrangler JKU (sold @ ????)
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SJ-Chris
San Jose, Ca
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MDKMDK wrote:Ball joint or tie rod failure. Solid pothole hit or curb or other front end stress may be the root cause.
Brief update: I heard mention from a video snipet that the person using my RV sent me where a mechanic is underneath the front end (RV jacked up) and he says something about the tie rod. That's not something I'm familiar with. What goes wrong with them? How easy/hard is it to fix? How much should I expect this type of repair to cost me?
Thanks for any explanations/info you can provide.
-Chris
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wolfe10
Florida
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Tie rod ends can get play in them. That allows the toe-in to change rather than being locked in at, say 1/8" toe-in.
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
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MDKMDK
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No idea on repair costs.
Vehicle/parts/mechanic specific.
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nickthehunter
Midwest
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A tie rod or ball joint is not going to jump the steering 30 degrees and stay there. With that type of failure the steering would become totally uncontrollable. More likely a steering box problem. JMHO
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haste maker
alabama
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If it is a tie rod end or any front end parts? Needs to fixed before it is driven.
Retried Teamster
2007 Allergo
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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nickthehunter wrote:A tie rod or ball joint is not going to jump the steering 30 degrees and stay there. With that type of failure the steering would become totally uncontrollable. More likely a steering box problem. JMHO
This. A Tie-rod could only do that if it's badly bent - like from hitting something. And if they drive it that way, the tire will be destroyed very quickly.
I think your friend isn't telling you something.
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MDKMDK
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Like I said in my original reply to your comment "They told me that something happened", which could have been some sort of pothole hit, curb hit, fell off the edge of the roadway onto a low shoulder, ran over something solid ("gator" or other road debris), all sorts of possible causes for a catastrophic front end failure.
Ask them what the "something happened" was. I called it "front end stress" in my prior post, but I meant they may have hit something and damaged the steering system.
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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It should not be driven like that. If a tierod breaks it will cause the tire on that side to suddenly and violently turn fully outward.
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