Checking and Servicing New Used Rig

[Mississippi Winne]

Been going over my 87 Elandan.  Seems the previous owner took good care of it.  All fluids have been changed,  New belts, new tires, main waterhoses look good.  Looks like the alternator was changed a few years ago as well as the starter.  During the 350 mile trip home all temps and pressures were good.  No misses.  It ran very well. 

Checked the front end, everything looks well greased.  About 4" of play in the steering.  I'm wondering if this needs attention or if this is normal?

I also have an exhaust manifold leak.  I am wondering if I should remove the emission controls when I fix it since my state doesn't test for them.

Front brakes have been rebuilt recently, new master cylinder.  Brakes are intermittent.  Plan to rebuild the back brakes and bleed the system.

Any thoughts on what else I need to check or service as I have no service records?

Thanks
Brian

[RV Mech Tech]

Brian -  4" of play is not acceptable in any steering system - is this 4" of rotating the steering wheel with nothing happening at the front wheels?  if it is then something is well worn in the steering linkage - you can check the resource library here for info on the steering box adjustment but that will only compensate for steering box wear and not anything else downstream in the linkage - keep in mind that any movement in the steering wheel is transferred into the steering box then the linkage and the amount of movement from the s. wheel to the front wheels is amplified by the  steering linkage  geometry  (ratio and proportion) so any play in the linkage lets say at an idler arm or tie rod end etc. will be maybe 1/2 inch at that point  but seem like 4" at the s. wheel - best to check the entire front end and know what condition its in as well as do a complete brake inspection including the condition of the steel lines and hoses also there are parts sources listed in the resource library - as far as the emission controls go remove them if you want and make sure you disconnect the drive belt for the AIR pump - if the tubes going into the e.manifolds are still in good condition then keep them in case you want to sell the MH later to a new owner that may have to install the system again to certify the coach in their State- also you can get plugs for the exhaust manifold holes where the tubes go in and there will be removable tubes inside the manifold at each hole - these are extensions of the exterior tubes and direct the air directly  at the exhaust port - its good that you purchased a MH that the po took care of  - the repairs you will have to make  are the result of age and many years of previous service and are expected on vintage RV's-  once you have the chassis taken care of you can concentrate on any issues in the coach  and there is plenty of help available form this club - I would check each appliance and do a complete cleaning and check the operation of  each one and al the systems in the coach.   

[Mississippi Winne]

Thanks for the reply.  I suspected that I have too much play.  That is 4" at the steering wheel with nothing happening.  I have visually inspected at all the tie rod ends etc.  It doesn't look like any of these have been changed.  They were greased.  I plan to get the my wife to turn the steering wheel while I am underneath to check for play.  It does have a steering dampener installed so that is a plus.  My main concern is reliability.  I plan to make a trip from Mississippi to Orlando next year and don't want to break down along the way.

Brian 

[Oz]

I understand you've already identified several issues which need to be addressed and are looking for other important things to look at.  There are many.  I just recently gave this advice to someone else:

Check the chassis as though you were buying a car.
Check the Coach as if you were buying a house.

The list is extensive and I am well on the path of completing a very comprehensive Used RV Buying Checklist, which will be available to all members.  The original draft was submitted by Tim Cooney a couple years ago and I've just simply dropped the ball on it.  But, it's very useful and important.

One last thing... when listing each of the deficiencies or concerns you find, whatever information or discussions on them may result needs to be posted as separate topics, after the Message Search is used to see what existing info is already available.  I don't want this topic turning into a catch-all prbolem/solution discussion for what is found, that will simply go into way too many directions. 

This topic is simply to list what should be checked and serviced.