AI 2015 steering wheel vibration at speed over 65

[andybree]

We are new to Interstate ownership, and have found your posts to be most informative. We are curious as to why you installed the Koni shocks and struts you mentioned above. Are they helpful in reducing vibration and/or maintaining alignment? Thanks!

Jim and Cyn

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by andybree

We are new to Interstate ownership, and have found your posts to be most informative. We are curious as to why you installed the Koni shocks and struts you mentioned above. Are they helpful in reducing vibration and/or maintaining alignment? Thanks!

Not so much for maintaining alignment.

The ride was originally a bit too soft for such a heavy vehicle, which was especially noticeable on these wretched New Orleans streets where there are more potholes than pavement. Some owners have likened the ride on their rear sofas to being like riding in a catapult, they'd bounce so high out of their seats when the vehicle hit a bump. The Konis make for a firmer (and harsher) ride, but with less bounce.

[David M]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Quick question— Does everyone who is having alignment problems own an EXT model?

Yes, mine is also an EXT model. But I didn't have a steering wheel vibration problem. Just uneven tire wear on the outside driver's side.

[Ron_CA]

Originally Posted by andybree

We are new to Interstate ownership, and have found your posts to be most informative. We are curious as to why you installed the Koni shocks and struts you mentioned above. Are they helpful in reducing vibration and/or maintaining alignment? Thanks!

Jim and Cyn

Also, if I may. Your Interstate is on the "new" chassis so suspension may ride differently than Pro's. Of course having never ridden in the back of mine or one of the previous generation Airstream Sprinters I don't know if there is a difference or not.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by gambita

I brought her to an sprinter MB dealer for alignment ,although it improved a little bit , I can still feel the steering wheel shake/ vibrate when doing 65 mph or above.
It is just normal to feel that due to the size of this motorhome?
Thanks.

The shaking obviously is from something out of round or unbalanced.

The tire could be out of round.

The tire could have a heavy spot that balancing did not cure.

The wheel could be bent.

The wheel could be out of round.

The wheel could be defective caused by improper manufacturing.

The tire wheel, hub and drum, could be out of balance.

A good test would be to have someone drive along the side of your coach, and have them observe what they perhaps can see, when you tell them that you feel the shaking, via your cell phone, or some other way of letting them know when you feel the vibration.

Sometimes, what the eye can see, is worth far more than the "thousand words".

Andy

[Gene]

Some roads cause vibration on some vehicles. Often it is a concrete road with expansion joints that may resonate with your vehicle. Trying driving a Tundra on southern California concrete roads. They were designed to torture Tundra owners.

Otherwise, dynamic or force balancing may help. I had tires force balanced at a Discount Tires after another Discount dealer did a bad job when the new tires on the Tundra were installed. I don't know how force balancing is done—I imagine a guy yelling at the tire and hitting it with a tire iron to get it to behave.

Gene

[73shark]

Originally Posted by Gene

Otherwise, dynamic or force balancing may help. I had tires force balanced at a Discount Tires after another Discount dealer did a bad job when the new tires on the Tundra were installed. I don't know how force balancing is done—I imagine a guy yelling at the tire and hitting it with a tire iron to get it to behave.

Gene

Haven't seen it done but I believe it involves forcing a roller against the tire while it's being balanced. Here's a video.

[73shark]

Originally Posted by PSchw

I had the same problem and my MB dealer installed special bolts and realigned as warranty. This was after the 30k service and they send me off with unsafe tires.Attachment 224362
I already purchase the special bolts so I have a set left over.
Peter


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Do you know what they set the camber and toe-in to?

What's a set of the special camber bolts cost?

[PSchw]

No they did not tell me and I was a little flabbergasted by the invoice the presented to me. They made it look like a good deal 1/2 of the alignment.
I did complained about it that I had this wear with 10k and was told it is the tire. I had to change the tires on the road because of the dangers condition. Now they install special bolts I am still under 36k miles and they want me to pay for the alignment?
I have Konis for the front and will install them then it needs to be alignment again the I make sure it will be 0 to +1.
Peter



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[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by 73shark

....

What's a set of the special camber bolts cost?

Checked my invoice -- bolts were $30 for a pair. The alignment was $125.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by PSchw

Now they install special bolts I am still under 36k miles and they want me to pay for the alignment?

Front end alignments are not warranty repairs; they're routine maintenance.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Front end alignments are not warranty repairs; they're routine maintenance.

Unless it came from the dealer outside of factory alignment specs.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by r carl

Unless it came from the dealer outside of factory alignment specs.

Unfortunately, since it came to you through an upfitter (Airstream) and not direct from MB, that's hard to prove, unless you had a front-end alignment done right after you bought it.

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted by gambita

Thanks to all, I will mention this tips to the service manager when I bring her on oct 13th

An update would be very helpful for future learning.

[r carl]

Remember, front end alignments don't change unless some part wears or gets bent.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by r carl

Remember, front end alignments don't change unless some part wears or gets bent.

You obviously haven't driven in New Orleans lately. Potholes and bumps can shake things loose just from the vibration, even if there's no excessive wear or bent parts. smacking a curb too hard can do it, too.

[Ron_CA]

Seems to me if the outside of the tires are wearing then either the tires are towed in a bit or the alignment has overcompensated for the additional weight.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

You obviously haven't driven in New Orleans lately. Potholes and bumps can shake things loose just from the vibration, even if there's no excessive wear or bent parts. smacking a curb too hard can do it, too.

Oh well, that's just what they told me at the Bee Line's frame and alignment correction school back in 1986.
Training | Course Overview | Bee Line

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by r carl

Oh well, that's just what they told me at the Bee Line's frame and alignment correction school back in 1986.
Training | Course Overview | Bee Line

When I lived in Oklahoma, I thought the same as Bee Line. I guess that just shows how bad New Orleans streets really are, that they're an exception. Every vehicle I've owned in New Orleans (except my Interstate, which gets 98% of its mileage outside the city) has needed a front end alignment twice a year, every year because not a danged one of them has been able to maintain its alignment for a full 12 months.

[gambita]

Update: So I brought Interstate on 10/13/14 at the dealer .
Technician test drove it and confirm vibration and wiggle. He balanced tire, not sure if he did road force balance but did ni solve problem.
I ended up leaving the airstream at the dealer for further testing. They ordered new tire. As of now no updates/call from the service manager.