Results for "drag link"

Between 60-70 mph my F53 chassis motorhome's steering wheel started violently shaking yesterday and now I'm terrified to drive anywhere. It's really scary when it happens - the whole front end starts shaking violently after hitting certain bumps or potholes.

I've been reading that this might be related to something called a panhard bar or lateral axle movement, and that there are expensive commercial solutions like the Roadmaster Tru-Trac that cost $500-700. But I'm not even 100% sure that's what's causing my problem.

Is there some kind of inexpensive way I could test or temporarily fix this issue to confirm what's actually wrong before I spend that much money? I'm reasonably handy but don't want to make things worse. Any guidance would be really appreciated! …more

Nobody told me what steering play should feel like on a 2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 with 11k miles, and I'm worried these issues aren't normal. The coach has Liquid Springs and a Safe T Plus steering stabilizer that were professionally installed right after delivery, so I expected the steering to be really tight.

However, the owner mentioned there's still noticeable steering wheel play, and when I looked at the tires, the outer edge of the right front is significantly worn while the left front looks perfectly even. For such low mileage, this seems concerning to me. The owner says he gets annual alignments done professionally, so if it's not alignment causing this, what else could it be?

I'm worried there might be something seriously wrong with the chassis or steering components that could be dangerous or expensive to fix. Am I being overly cautious, or are these red flags I should walk away from? I really don't want to buy someone else's problem, especially when it comes to steering safety. …more

Replaced the wheel alignment on my 2018 Class A motorhome and now the steering wheel is sitting crooked — should I fix it myself or go back? I have an RV with an F53 chassis, and after getting an alignment, my steering wheel sits crooked when I'm driving straight - it's off by what looks like 30-45 degrees to the right. The RV tracks straight down the road just fine, but having to hold the wheel at an angle is driving me absolutely crazy on long trips.

I know this chassis uses an older steering system similar to what was used in the 1920s, and from what I understand, the drag link isn't adjustable. I've already installed a big steering stabilizer, but I'm concerned about how this offset might affect the steering box's performance. The steering shop seems busy, and I'm worried they'll just brush me off or charge me again. Is there a good way to center the steering wheel without major mechanical intervention? I really need to get this sorted out before our next big trip - any advice would be hugely appreciated! …more

Wondering if anyone else has had their JRide Plus suspension work done right before a big trip because my 2020 Jayco Precept 31U feels completely different now. The shop is pushing me to upgrade to larger sway bar brackets, saying it'll help with stability and reduce stress on the mounting points.

Honestly not sure if this is actually needed or just another way to get more cash out of me. I mean, the JRide Plus already has beefier sway bars than stock, so are the brackets really the weak link here? Would love to know if this upgrade is actually worth doing or if I'm fine sticking with what I've got. …more

I woke up determined to fix my 2024 Fleetwood Bounder 35K's ride quality — adjusted tire pressure, checked alignment, swapped sway bar links — but it still bounces like a trampoline. The thing rides like a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail - every bump feels like we're crossing the Continental Divide!

I keep hearing about Koni FSD and Bilstein shocks as upgrades, but I'm wondering if they're actually worth it or just RV snake oil. Are these brands really that much better than whatever factory shocks came on this beast? And more importantly, what kind of financial damage am I looking at to stop feeling like I'm in a paint mixer every time we hit the road? …more

I'm planning my F53 motorhome maintenance when it started making clunking sounds turning yesterday, and crawling underneath revealed my drag link from steering box to left knuckle completely failed. Classic!

I've been hunting for parts and of course the 1999-2008 drag links seem to have vanished into thin air on sites like RockAuto. But lo and behold, I found a 2009 Motorcraft MDOE35 drag link available. My optimistic side is thinking "close enough, right?" but my wallet (and my safety) are wondering if I'm being too hopeful.

Will this 2009 part actually work on my 1999 F53, or am I setting myself up for another one of those "seemed like a good idea at the time" RV moments? Any wisdom on where to actually find the right part for us pre-2009 folks? …more

Despite planning to tackle my 2015 Freightliner XCS chassis drag link boot replacement this Saturday — what specific part number should I have ready to order? The boot is completely torn and needs replacement, but every parts store I've called either doesn't know what I'm talking about or gives me conflicting part numbers that don't seem right.

I've got the chassis year and model, but I'm clearly missing something important when it comes to identifying the exact specifications needed. What's the most reliable way to get the correct Freightliner part numbers for this repair? I'm hoping there's a systematic approach I haven't tried yet that will finally get me the right part without any more guesswork. …more