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Lane wondering
About 2000 miles ago I had the complete front end redone. Only thing that wasn’t replaced was the lower A arms. Sway bar bushings and shock bushing were replaced too. Coach has a minimal lane drift. Nothing serious but if you look away at your mirrors or at a road sign you find yourself drifting out of your lane. The steering wheel has to be constantly nudged back and forth to stay in your lane.
Considering all the front end work done this doesn’t seem right. Also had complete alignment done
Chuck
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
7 Replies
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But was it aligned?
Any repairs or replacement to the front end steering or suspension system likely has a small impact on alignment and the difference between good and really good is a very small adjustment, but a big improvement.
I replaced a tie rod and made the new one the exact length of the one being replaced and felt a slight change in how the bus steered, and after the alignment the steering and handling was incredibly better.
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I can look in my mirrors and almost make it from the drivers seat to the fridge (but not back) without leaving my lane. Come on folks, that’s a joke!
But seriously, I can drive 1/4 mile or more with my hands off the wheel. You should be able to do the same thing. I had an alignment done years ago but a few months ago I have the 10 bushings replaced in the 4 radius rods and 2 lateral rods. WOW, I truly had forgotten what a wonderful ride and handling these beast have. If it won’t go straight down the road with little or no input then you still have a problem that needs to be addressed.
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Had that same issue when I bought my coach. I took it to Josam In Orlando for an alignment and told them my issue and they altered the toe in to adjust for that issue and it corrected my issue of lane wonder. I also had issues with raising the front manually when parked and discovered that the front end wasn’t coming all the way up to ride height. I had a few valves replaced as well as upper A arms then another alignment and now it rides straight and smooth.
Long story short… make sure you’re getting up to ride height as that may also be an issue!!
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Most of my front end work was done by JoSams In Orlando. They have a good reputation. Not sure what to think. JoSams also did the alignment.
Do not believe I have a ride height issue. Coach was leaning a little to the passengers side. JoSam did raise the ride height on the passengers side rear to bring it up to the proper height
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If an alignment was done, it needs to be rechecked. They can and will do a printout and when all values are well within the specified range the coach is going to track straight and true.
But keep in mind there are a lot of factors that will make a coach wander. Dana is right about ride height having an effect, but if on a perfectly level surface the bottom of the bay doors are approximately 11″ above the ground the height adjustment is OK. The crown of the highway, winds, passing traffic, and even a dragging brake can make a bus wander.
Under ordinary conditions we never have to constantly adjust the steering wheel, but occasionally we have to apply slight left or right pressure to maintain the lane.
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Jon
As usually, great input. Heading to Massachusetts, will deal with it when we get back. It’s annoying but nothing to disrupt the trip Guess this means another trip back to JoSam’s.
Chuck
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Josam has always been highly regarded and a properly aligned Prevost should be very relaxing to drive. We should never have to constantly struggle to maintain our lane.
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