|
|
10-04-2014, 05:03 AM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
2015 Interstate Ext. Coach
Framingham
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 60
|
AI 2015 steering wheel vibration at speed over 65
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.
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 05:08 AM
|
#2
|
Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
|
Quote:
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.
|
I've never felt it on mine at any speed. Other Airstream Interstate owners have reported the same phenomenon, however. I don't know what their solution was, but if tires are out of balance it can contribute to vibration.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 05:21 AM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
|
Jack the ft tires just off the ground and spin them to check if they are true. Next would be to get them rebalanced.
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 07:40 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
2015 Interstate Ext. Coach
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 666
|
It is weird. Mine does it sometimes....Seems as if the road surface is a contributing factor. I am starting to think it has something to do with the steering dampner, if these have one. On some roads smooth as can be, others, shakes.
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 07:46 AM
|
#5
|
Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron_CA
It is weird. Mine does it sometimes....Seems as if the road surface is a contributing factor. I am starting to think it has something to do with the steering dampner, if these have one. On some roads smooth as can be, others, shakes.
|
Do the road surfaces where it shakes have a high crown as opposed to being more-or-less flat all the way across all lanes? On roads with a high crown, in order to travel straight you need to add a slight bit of left rudder so that not only are you going ever so slightly uphill all the time, but the tires are "crabbing" a bit to the left rather than tracking completely straight. That can also contribute to uneven tire wear.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 08:15 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2015 Interstate Ext. Coach
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 666
|
Not sure. Maybe. Tires appear to be wearing even and at 12,000 miles have a lot of tread left.
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 08:49 AM
|
#7
|
4 Rivet Member
2013 Interstate Coach
Orange County
, California
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 277
|
May be a flat spot on the tire. This happens sometimes when the vehicle sits in one spot for a while.
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 08:56 AM
|
#8
|
2 Rivet Member
2015 Interstate Ext. Coach
Framingham
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 60
|
Service manager told me that initiaI drove it for > 1,600 miles already.
Bringing it back to the dealer next week.
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 09:43 AM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,798
|
Mine did that when I first got it at ~4K miles and they rebalanced the fronts and all good since. Then after I had rotated and rebalanced, it's back. So back to get rebalanced again.
__________________
Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
2011 Interstate SOLD! Upfitted 2017 Transit 350. SOLD!
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 04:04 PM
|
#10
|
4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Boca Raton
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 358
|
Mine does it at first drive when tires are cold. Then goes away
Or you could just drive 64mph
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
10-05-2014, 03:19 AM
|
#11
|
3 Rivet Member
2009 Interstate
Bethesda
, Maryland
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 138
|
Not a normal situation. I would check tire balance and possibly go for a road force balance or even better is balanced on the vehicle. Any shop that does high performance/racing tires most likely has the equipment.
__________________
2009 Airstream Interstate
|
|
|
10-06-2014, 07:08 PM
|
#12
|
Trying to Retire
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 342
|
Rebalancing the tires fixed mine. Weights fall off sometimes.
Mike
__________________
Mike
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If you work until you have everything you 'WANT' - it will probably be too late to enjoy it.
Live in the Moment and enjoy today.
|
|
|
10-09-2014, 07:31 AM
|
#13
|
2 Rivet Member
2015 Interstate Ext. Coach
Framingham
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 60
|
Thanks to all, I will mention this tips to the service manager when I bring her on oct 13th
|
|
|
10-13-2014, 10:25 PM
|
#14
|
2 Rivet Member
2012 Interstate Coach
Park City
, UT
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 98
|
I had shimmy/vibration issues for a long time. Balanced and rotated the tires many times to no avail. It was also accompanied with outer edge front tire wear. I ended up getting an alignment and setting the camber to 0 degrees. It solved my problem. No wear or shimmy, no vibration for the last 8000 miles. The thought is that the EXTs (which I have) carry a lot of weight in general, particularly beyond the rear tires. This weight 'unloads' the front end and causes the issue.
There's lots of opinions on this one way or the other. I did it; it worked for me. Maybe you can give it a try.
Below is a post that I put on the Sprinter-Forum. I wish you success In figuring out your problem.
--------
Re: Left front tire wear
Thanks to this board,I believe my front tire wear problems are now fixed. An alignment to zero degrees camber seemed to do the trick. At 10K miles, I had bad enough wear on the outside edges that I bought new tires (Michelin LTX M/S2) to replace the Continental Contis.
I went to a local shop in San Jose, CA (Ross Truck and Equipment Repair 408.292.1464). I took with me a set of camber adjusting bolts from Upscale Automotive. The team at Ross really liked the functionality or the bolts. They said it made the job super-easy.
My pre-alignment figures were 1.5 degrees (drivers side) and 1.25 degrees (passenger). Post alignment was 0. I can't recall what the Toe was, but it was reset. I have since put about 1000 miles on tires (we are on a road trip). I'm getting even, consistent wear across the treads.
I should also note that I installed Sumo springs (front and rear) before my trip. They have made a big difference and I am quite pleased with them. In the past, I put adjustable Konis on the rear as well as a bigger sway bar (both from Upscale). They made a big difference, but the front end was still a bit soft. The front sumos seemed to fix that. The rears seemed to address rear end sag (I have the extended sprinter, 24+ feet). Overall, the ride is much more dampened over bumps, in high winds and taking off-ramps. I was going to go with Koni struts in the front, but couldn't get them installed in time for my trip. The sumos are super easy to put on; especially the front. About 5 minutes per side. The rear installation is easy also, however there is just more stuff in the way to deal with (ie, my generator and lower ground clearance).
Once again, thanks for everyone's input on the alignment specs.
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
10-13-2014, 10:58 PM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,798
|
I had mine aligned as close to zero as they could get it without the optional camber bolts after I read your post on the Sprinter forum. Did you have to use the optional camber bolts to get to 0° on yours?
__________________
Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
2011 Interstate SOLD! Upfitted 2017 Transit 350. SOLD!
|
|
|
10-13-2014, 11:01 PM
|
#16
|
2 Rivet Member
2012 Interstate Coach
Park City
, UT
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 98
|
No. The tech said he could of have done it without the special bolt, but that having the bolt made the process MUCH easier.
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
10-13-2014, 11:08 PM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,798
|
Well if my alignment change doesn't reduce the wear on the outer edge of the front tires, I'm going to get the special bolts and redo it closer to 0°. My suspicion is that the alignment specs are for the unloaded van. They don't compensate for the additional weight, especially in the rear, that Airstream put in there. Causes the rear end to be lower than standard and raises the front end causing the camber change to go more positive.
__________________
Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
2011 Interstate SOLD! Upfitted 2017 Transit 350. SOLD!
|
|
|
10-14-2014, 07:50 AM
|
#18
|
Rivet Master
2005 39' Skydeck 390 SD
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 568
|
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.
I already purchase the special bolts so I have a set left over.
Peter
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
10-14-2014, 07:58 AM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master
2024 Interstate 19
Fulton
, Maryland
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,883
|
After my front tires were showing outer edge wear I replaced tires at 30,000 miles with a set of Michelins. Also had the alignment set by Sun Motors in Mechanicsburg, PA. They asked me to bring it in with the normal load I carry so they could get alignment set correctly.
Now after another 15,000 miles wear is even and van runs true and smooth.
- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter
__________________
- - Mike
--------------------------
2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
|
|
|
10-14-2014, 08:02 AM
|
#20
|
Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
|
Quick question— Does everyone who is having alignment problems own an EXT model? On my non-EXT model, I've just had my 20k service done, with no evidence of uneven tire wear.
I did get a front-end alignment done after having the Koni shocks and struts installed concurrently with my 10k service, but no special bolts were required for the alignment.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|