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09-08-2010, 05:42 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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P-30 front end question.
I'm wearing the front roadside inside tread big time. The other is fine, front end was aligned a couple of years ago. What should I be looking for after I get her off the ground? It's been suggested I might have a combination of the "bell cranks" and "radius steering arms" going south. What's a "bell crank", sounds spendy. Thanks in advance.
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09-08-2010, 06:58 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Thanks anyway, made a appointment with Peterbuilt. They think it's the bell crank.
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09-08-2010, 09:15 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
1983 31' Airstream310
Iowa City
, Iowa
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 232
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Supersteer was only source I could find for...
The issue for my '83 310 was the bell crank ARM (See URL below). I got two bell cranks and the bell crank arm from Henderson after looking for the arm unsuccessfully everywhere else I could. These parts changed the 310 into a very nice driver.
http://www.hendersonslineup.com/prod...-tracking.html
__________________
Airstream OCD...there is no cure!
1983 Classic 310 Motorhome.
AIR 15765
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09-09-2010, 02:58 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
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Is "bell crank" as expensive as it sounds??? I would have aimed at air bags...m
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
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09-09-2010, 08:19 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Thanks, guys. Wow! Bell crank= PRICEY!
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09-14-2010, 10:09 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,116
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Leary
Thanks, guys. Wow! Bell crank= PRICEY!
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I'm betting the price was somewhere around $330 each. At least that is what I paid about 3 years ago
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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09-14-2010, 10:58 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkahler
I'm betting the price was somewhere around $330 each. At least that is what I paid about 3 years ago
Brad
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Was it a steering problem or tire wear that tipped you off, Brad?
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09-14-2010, 11:09 AM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
1988 32.5' Airstream 325
calgary
, alberta
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 177
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Hi to all! I just added new air shocks and the virtical steering shock from gm on my 1988 325 It made a remarkable differance! We have a lot of steep inclines and 2 lane roads here in base of rockies and just returned from 3-week trip Thought I was driving a limo. I'd try these first before replaceing expensive bell crank! Jonathan
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09-14-2010, 11:14 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,116
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Leary
Was it a steering problem or tire wear that tipped you off, Brad?
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Steering problem. We couldn't keep the motorhome in our lane when a semi passed us We would literally get blown more than half way onto the shoulder. Turns out the bell cranks and drag link were bad on the drivers side, bad steering stabilizer and poor shocks all around. Replaced those components and steering got a lot better. Still need to replace the bell crank on the passenger side and I have a gut feeling the upper ball joints are bad.
Just haven't had time to get to those to fix them. To many other projects to deal with
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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09-14-2010, 11:16 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,116
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jhenry
I'd try these first before replaceing expensive bell crank! Jonathan
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Jonathan,
Just FYI.
Its not hard to tell if the bell crank is bad. Just have someone turn the steering wheel from side to side while watching the bell crank. If there is any sloppiness it will definitely show.
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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09-14-2010, 11:28 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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My steering is fine, but the wear on the roadside inside tread has got me concerned. We're going to jack the front this week before we leave and check it out. I had to replace the front tires, even though the curbside was even and had some miles left. Not interested in that $$$$ investment again before it's time!
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09-14-2010, 03:35 PM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
2012 31' Classic
1999 36' Land Yacht Widebody
Andalusia
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 476
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The toe-in on the left could be excessive. Also there may be too much negative camber, this would make the tire and wheel look tilted in at the top.
Either of these could cause the inside edge of the tire to wear.
Rob
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09-14-2010, 05:12 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Thanks, well check everything else this week, but I have a hunch we need a alignment.
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09-14-2010, 06:11 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,378
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Hi, check the ball joints; My P-30 "Mac Tools' truck came with an "I" beam front axle, But motorhomes and some other tool trucks had independent front suspension. I have seen a few on the side of the road, and a few others that were towed to repair shops with broken ball joints. That would not be a fun thing to have happen while driving at any speed. These are very large and heavy vehicles with this type front suspension and the ball joints were considered a weak point.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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09-23-2010, 10:31 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
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We had the ball joit ends cut off and new ones welded on in San Antonio-Freightliner...while the welding job was ok, they completely missed bad front brakes and tag axle brakes...drove just fine, just didn't stop well...m
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
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