Front end wobble

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: swabby  (Original Message)
Sent: 4/7/2002 6:36 PM

i recently bought a 1972 winnebago indian 22' motorhome and am experiencing wobble in the steering, sometimes fairly bad.  jacked up front end and passenger side seems to have play in what i was told was a king pin bushing.  I am going to have front tires balanced, but can anyone tell me if this sounds like a familar problem.  I have the m400 dodge chassis with a 413 motor.  would love some advice and some pointers if i could get them....thanks swabby



From: mrchannman
Sent: 4/8/2002 10:31 PM

I'm having the same problem. According to this article tires, shocks and weight distribution are a good places to start.
http://www.rversonline.org/97ConfSuspension.html

Gene
69 D-22



From: M J
Sent: 4/14/2002 12:00 AM

I seem to recall reading about this very issue. And if memory serves...Dodge had addressed the problem I believe in 1973 with a King Pin 'kit'. I don't remember any particulars though about 'how' it was fixed. My local Dodge dealer is no help. Has anyone heard of this? If so, please advise.

M J



From: cartinkr
Sent: 8/29/2002 11:21 AM

     Also make sure your toe-in is correct.  I had wobble when the toe-in was zero.  I also got them balanced and snugged up the bearing pre-load in the steering box pitman shaft and steering shaft.   Before this I could hardy control it till the lumps in the tires had worked its way out.        Dave      cartinkr@hotmail.com



From: chip
Sent: 8/29/2002 9:47 PM

king pin bushing wear and replacement is common in all reverse elliots[i swear, that's what they call these axles!]. some front end shops still have the equipment to do bronze bushing fitting and sizing. automotive machine shops are more apt to do this work. to test for play lift and bar the wheel just like you do for ball joints. there should be ZERO play between the spindle and axle beam, but should turn without binding. don't grease it before you check-it can mask any sloppiness.



From: AC-Craig
Sent: 8/30/2002 1:36 PM

I was told you must jack the front end up before greasing or the grease will not get to where it has to go to prevent wear. AC-Criag



From: chip
Sent: 8/30/2002 4:00 PM

that sure wouldn't hurt. unlike ball joints, kingpin bushings become bell-mouthed and egg shaped. the thrust bearing and/or shims between the axle and spindle should show very little wear. if the kinpin and binding bolt become loose in the axle beam it's a major amount of machine work to resleeve.[i've done several over the years.]«