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12-04-2020, 03:46 PM
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#1
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37FH
State: Florida
Posts: 38
THOR #20476
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Steering wheel off-center
I have a Challenger 37fh on the Ford F53 chassis. The steering wheel is slightly off center (spokes normally at 9 and 3 for straight driving are at roughly 9:30 and 3:30). Ford dealer says there is no adjustment to allow re-centering the steering wheel. My question is has anyone else experienced this and have you found a remedy?
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Enjoying God's creation each and every day.
Challenger 37FH
Buick encore or Chevrolet Equinox - Toad
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12-04-2020, 04:07 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,901
THOR #13932
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Tie rod on older models.
Steeriing box spline on newer models.
It's a pretty simple process.
Usually one bolt.
If I'm wrong, let me know.
I have no faith in
read, remove, replace, WRONG, repeat, rebill mechanics that dealers hire and support.
People call themselves master mechanic when indeed they are take off parts cannon guys.
I might be wrong, but it's a starting point on finding out if the dealer is right.
But
Once it is centered you'll find you hold it off to one side DUE TO ROAD CROWN.
you are probably centered and experiencing road crown, the roads are sloped, and you're compensating by holding the wheel in that position.
And
Depending on their understandings and abilities, I also might tell people I won't do it.
Not because it can't be done but because I don't want to explain road crown, have you back a dozen times because the steering wheel isn't centered 'on some roads' have to reset it due to a half moa tilt, again, then again, then again because it 'bothers my ibs to see it even a degree crooked'.
It is probably a groundhogs day type nightmare once they say they can do it and Mr. OCD comes in every week for a redo.
So, while I think the parts cannon guys truly suck, I think some repairs for some folks really makes parts cannon guy wish he hadn't done the work.
I can see both sides.
Had he said 'we don't do it' I'd respect him. If he said 'it can't be done' he's pretty weak....
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12-04-2020, 04:09 PM
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#3
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 29M
State: Arizona
Posts: 78
THOR #21314
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Our 2019 Windsport 29M also has a steering wheel off center. Took it to a mechanic and he set the toe in but couldn't do anything about the wheel. The motorhome is also on a F53 frame. It bugs me some but when my eyes are on the road it's just fine.
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12-04-2020, 04:13 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,329
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ptylerp
I have a Challenger 37fh on the Ford F53 chassis. The steering wheel is slightly off center (spokes normally at 9 and 3 for straight driving are at roughly 9:30 and 3:30). Ford dealer says there is no adjustment to allow re-centering the steering wheel. My question is has anyone else experienced this and have you found a remedy?
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Really? A Ford dealer doesn't know about a well documented procedure for straightening the steering on a late model F53 chassis? Makes you wonder what else they don't know.
First post from this thread on IRV2 documents what needs to be done with pictures.
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/late...ng-351074.html
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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12-04-2020, 04:23 PM
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#5
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Dealers...
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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12-04-2020, 04:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 27K
State: California
Posts: 623
THOR #2544
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I have my work done at a local truck repair. They aligned the steering wheel when they did the alignment.
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This post is opinion based on experience.
2015 Hurricane 27K
2013 Sea Ray 220SD
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12-04-2020, 04:52 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Damon Daybreak
State: New Mexico
Posts: 359
THOR #19133
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On the older F53, you can pull the steering wheel and re-index it.
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12-04-2020, 05:02 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,901
THOR #13932
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryS
On the older F53, you can pull the steering wheel and re-index it.
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This could also be true on new ones.
No airbag, no worries.
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12-04-2020, 06:22 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,329
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryS
On the older F53, you can pull the steering wheel and re-index it.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ducksface
This could also be true on new ones.
No airbag, no worries.
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Only works on pre-2012 chassis. Newer models have a keyed spline.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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12-04-2020, 06:32 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,884
THOR #6826
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ducksface
This could also be true on new ones.
No airbag, no worries.
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It is not true on newer ones. They are keyed to the steering column.
I’m actually rather well informed on this. My last coach had a significantly off center wheel after getting it aligned (I bought it used with a straight steering wheel but dreadful front tire wear). My trusted Ford truck dealer said there is no easy way to adjust it. The official Ford approved procedure is to remove the steering box and shim it sideways the needed amount. But you can make a fairly coarse adjustment yourself. If you crawl into the front wheel well you can actually sit up comfortably and see that on the top of the steering box the steering column is fastened to the splined input shaft with a single pinch bolt. It is not otherwise keyed. If you loosen the bolt the inner column slips off - with maybe a bit of persuasion with a screw driver used as a lever. You can then put it back on after moving the requisite number of splines. Mine took two but I overshot the first time and had to go back and fix it. After you’ve done it once it’s a 10 minute job. It’s a little scary to think that the only thing keeping the steering connected is a single 1/4 inch pinch bolt but there it is. I did put some blue loctite on it. I don’t remember how many splines there are anymore but I think maybe each spline was about 10 degrees at the wheel. Be alert because once disconnected the steering wheel moves effortlessly.
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12-04-2020, 06:47 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: challenger
State: Alabama
Posts: 28
THOR #21263
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Ford put out an advisory called "clear vision" or something like that. dash gauges must be clearly seen when wheels are straight. details how to index the steering wheel so it is correctly positioned when driving straight down the road.
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12-04-2020, 07:21 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E. 27.2
State: Indiana
Posts: 1,876
THOR #14698
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH
It is not true on newer ones. They are keyed to the steering column.
I’m actually rather well informed on this. My last coach had a significantly off center wheel after getting it aligned (I bought it used with a straight steering wheel but dreadful front tire wear). My trusted Ford truck dealer said there is no easy way to adjust it. The official Ford approved procedure is to remove the steering box and shim it sideways the needed amount. But you can make a fairly coarse adjustment yourself. If you crawl into the front wheel well you can actually sit up comfortably and see that on the top of the steering box the steering column is fastened to the splined input shaft with a single pinch bolt. It is not otherwise keyed. If you loosen the bolt the inner column slips off - with maybe a bit of persuasion with a screw driver used as a lever. You can then put it back on after moving the requisite number of splines. Mine took two but I overshot the first time and had to go back and fix it. After you’ve done it once it’s a 10 minute job. It’s a little scary to think that the only thing keeping the steering connected is a single 1/4 inch pinch bolt but there it is. I did put some blue loctite on it. I don’t remember how many splines there are anymore but I think maybe each spline was about 10 degrees at the wheel. Be alert because once disconnected the steering wheel moves effortlessly.
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What he said
I didn't do it myself but on our 2018 ACE I had to tell the tech at the truck service garage how to do it. It still cost me a service fee.
__________________
2018 ACE 27.2
Toad 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain Towbar
Roadmaster Invisibrake
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12-05-2020, 06:09 AM
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#13
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E 29.3
State: Minnesota
Posts: 92
THOR #4198
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I had this issue on our 2017 ACE. I talked to Thor and they said that can happen in their manufacturing process. They told me to have the work done to fix that and they would reimburse the repair.
Call Thor before you go to the dealer. I had mine fixed when I had them do the CHF.
John
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John - Vadnais Heights, MN
Thor ACE 29.3 (No outside kitchen) 2017
ARS - KØTG
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12-05-2020, 03:38 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: challenger 37FH
State: Delaware
Posts: 695
THOR #13399
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I don't even notice it anymore.
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12-05-2020, 04:42 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 20
THOR #20541
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Hello, I have a similar issue but not quite the same. My Windsport has been doing this since new from dealer (about 3 months old). Steering wheel's "neutral" position is about 10 degrees right AND the RV pulls to the right. If I hold the wheel centered then RV goes straight. Without knowing the right term is there something simple that would fix this or does it need an alignment? I could live with the wheel being off centered but having to continually steer left to keep the thing going straight is exhausting and I'd love a solution. Dealer told me to take it to Ford since they don't do any work on alignment or steering and I just want to make sure I ask for the right work to be performed. Thanks in advance!
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12-05-2020, 04:48 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,884
THOR #6826
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rvdad
Hello, I have a similar issue but not quite the same. My Windsport has been doing this since new from dealer (about 3 months old). Steering wheel's "neutral" position is about 10 degrees right AND the RV pulls to the right. If I hold the wheel centered then RV goes straight. Without knowing the right term is there something simple that would fix this or does it need an alignment? I could live with the wheel being off centered but having to continually steer left to keep the thing going straight is exhausting and I'd love a solution. Dealer told me to take it to Ford since they don't do any work on alignment or steering and I just want to make sure I ask for the right work to be performed. Thanks in advance!
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Did you have a steering stabilizer put on? That is how they are if the stabilizer is not adjusted correctly. It’s an easy DIY adjustment if this is your problem. If you don’t have one then it’s likely a simple alignment issue. I’d recommend a truck shop or a Ford truck dealer rather than an RV shop. Probably $125 - 200 depending on the needed adjustment.
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12-05-2020, 05:18 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 20
THOR #20541
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH
Did you have a steering stabilizer put on? That is how they are if the stabilizer is not adjusted correctly. It’s an easy DIY adjustment if this is your problem. If you don’t have one then it’s likely a simple alignment issue. I’d recommend a truck shop or a Ford truck dealer rather than an RV shop. Probably $125 - 200 depending on the needed adjustment.
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Thanks for the quick reply! No steering stabilizer it's all stock down there (minus sumo springs which I put on but obviously would not have a positive impact on this specific situation). We have a Ford commercial dealer near by that the RV shop recommended so I'll follow up with them once I get it back from the RV dealer. I appreciate the advice.
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12-09-2020, 07:46 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: chateau
State: Ohio
Posts: 18
THOR #783
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Steering wheel off
our chateau did these things after wheel alignment. We took it back to the alignment place and they fixed it.
Diane V
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12-09-2020, 08:01 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 29M
State: New York
Posts: 119
THOR #11919
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My Windsport 29m had the same issue. Took it my local truck shop and the took care of it and verified the alignment. Unfortunately I don’t know how they did it but it is possible.
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12-09-2020, 08:17 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 11
THOR #18321
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I had the same issue with my Hurricane 2020 on the
Ford Chassis and CW in Chattanooga said it took ten minutes to correct. However, I warn you because now it is off in the other direction a bit so I am going to live with it.
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