Steering centering

[Magnet18]

Anyone seen this setup before? Is it part of the steer-safe system?

It's a simple system of two springs that work to pull the steering back to center. Previously it connected with one U bolt around the knuckle and a hole that went over the lower ball joint. The newer ball joints don't stick up as far, and therefore it won't mount to them, as it just pops off.

It wouldn't be a hurculean effort to come up with new brackets, but I'm wondering if it's worth the trouble.

[Keyair]

Looks like it to me.

[bkahler]

I've heard nothing but good about the Steer-Safe units. Would it be possible to take the old ball joint to a parts house and see if you can find a suitable replacement?

[Magnet18]

Looking at the steer safe website, it seems they have changed the design since whenever they sold mine (probably the same time as the motorhome by the looks of it)
http://www.steersafe.com/install_fil...figure%201.doc
They now also use a U bolt around the ball joint nut, and it looks like a J bolt on the far side. That seems much more secure than the system I have held on by a single U bolt.

Normally I'd buy a new one as mine is clearly pretty crusty, but $500! I'll take another look and see what I can do with a welder and a trip to the hardware store.

[Magnet18]

I sent an email to steer safe and asked if I could purchase just the wheel brackets without re-purchasing the whole system, we'll see what they say

[davejay]

Hey,
It's worth keeping. When and if you ever get a blowout, you'll be thankful you did. Mine has a u bolt, that goes thru the bracket. Should be able to get a u bolt
Get a heavy duty u bolt. They are a little thicker than a small muffler u bolt. I think granger has them. It has no affect on the steering either. I can't tell it's there. Even turning, there's no feeling of harder steering. DJ

[Magnet18]

Thanks DJ!

I did decide I'm keeping it, steer safe sells the wheel brackets for $90 a piece. I was set to modify the existing ones but time is short so the wife encouraged me to just buy them so I don't work myself to death.

[davejay]

Hey,
I noticed your bump rubber is cracked. On my 85 325 the rubber is a block style as opposed to that triangle style. It seems to be more durable. Also these old things are 35 years old. I suppose that triangle style is good to . It does appear, the block style I got, has less travel space than yours. I think the block style actually is kind of a helper spring. Just a thought. DJ

[Magnet18]

I have new bump stops ready to go in. The replacements I ordered were the same shape as the original. I didn't know there was a square type, good to know, thanks

[Magnet18]

New brackets showed up and I got them installed this morning

They went from one U bolt, to 2 U bolts and a J hook, wonder if they were having issues whth the old design