F53 alignment

Pete'sMH · 03-13-2019, 09:49 PM

So my 2016 32 ft Class A on an F-53 chassis was showing some uneven front tire wear so I took it to a Ford truck center for an alignment and sure enough the toe in was off on both sides. They fixed it and brought me a nice computer print out showing everything lined up nicely but now the steering wheel is a good 30 degrees off center. I turned around and went back and asked the service advisor and he said it’s not like a car where you can adjust the tie rod ends equal amounts. He said there is no way to adjust it. It was raining so I didn’t crawl underneath to look but I’m finding this just impossible to believe. The place is a good 45 miles away so I want to know what I’m talking about when I go back and fuss at them. It drives great, straight and true. Can anyone here tell me exactly how I can bring my wheel back straight? I’m surprised about this from a Ford truck center! Thank you.

upnyfolks · 03-13-2019, 10:36 PM

When I first purchased our 2018 hurricane 29m on the F53 chassis, I took it in for alignment and to have the steering wheel straightened. The shop said the alignment was fine so all they had to do was straighten the wheel, which they said was a very easy thing to do on the F53.

halfprice · 03-14-2019, 12:03 AM

the steering box is under the engine. You have to remove a screw pry up the steering bar and turn it to reset. The bar has teeth to line it up

Im not using the proper words to discribe it. It took maybe 5 minute to center mine after the alignment

There was a detailed post on irv2 on how to do it. Seemed fairly easy

Jerry

halfprice · 03-14-2019, 12:08 AM

Heres one post for you.

Late Model F53 Steering Wheel Centering - iRV2 Forums

halfprice · 03-14-2019, 12:18 AM

Posts #13 and 19 are very helpfull

2014 F53 Steering Wheel Crooked...Fix? - iRV2 Forums

Pete'sMH · 03-14-2019, 12:24 AM

Perfect! Thanks much. This forum is the best. There is another Ford dealer close to me that works on RVs but does not have a big alignment rack - that why I had to go to the Ford truck place in Indianapolis. I think I’ll see if they can do this for me and if not I might have a go at it myself. Surprised the truck place was unaware...

Pete'sMH · 03-15-2019, 12:00 AM

Follow up. I stopped at my local Ford dealer today and asked them about it. They confirmed it was a simple job that they will do for me in the parking lot. I have an appointment for next week. Still vexed that I have to do this second level service but a happy ending will make it all ok.

halfprice · 03-15-2019, 01:01 AM

yeah frustrating when the "experts" dont know what they are doing and you need to educate them. But the job will get done and you will be happy

Pete'sMH · 03-15-2019, 01:35 PM

I have to believe the Ford truck place knows perfectly well how to do this simple task but just didn’t want to do it. They mostly work on big rigs and I suppose little jobs like this are not their favorite. It’s still very annoying and if I get a satisfaction survey it’ll be less than stellar. Might even write a letter to the dealership GM. Or maybe I’ll just go camping and let it go!

halfprice · 03-15-2019, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

I have to believe the Ford truck place knows perfectly well how to do this simple task but just didn’t want to do it. They mostly work on big rigs and I suppose little jobs like this are not their favorite. It’s still very annoying and if I get a satisfaction survey it’ll be less than stellar. Might even write a letter to the dealership GM. Or maybe I’ll just go camping and let it go!

Get it fixed and let it go Lives to short to stress about the small things

The Gritz Carlton · 03-15-2019, 06:29 PM

For the most part, commercial Ford Truck dealer mechanics hate working on motorhomes. So do the other brands of commercial truck shops. With this understanding, a lot of drama comes in to play when you drive on the lot. Take a couple dozen doughnuts in when you first walk up to the service writer. I'm really serious about this! Second piece of advice...disappear until they call you when it's ready. They don't care to hear hours and hours of your travel stories, have you roaming all over the dealership for hours on end trying to befriend everyone you see, or want to play with your dogs. These two things will go a long way...trust me!!!

Pete'sMH · 03-15-2019, 07:58 PM

Interesting about that...I waited for it - they had an outstanding truckers lounge - after 4 hours they said it was ready. After looking at the invoice it said they just CHECKED the alignment and the printout showed how much it was out. I talked to the service writer and politely pointed out that I knew it was out when I brought it in. I was there for it to be corrected. Another 3 hours and it was “ready” albeit with a crooked steering wheel. But I think half price is right it’s all just part of the RV deal and let’s just go camping and be happy that it eventually got fixed.

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