P-30 front end question.

[Mike Leary]

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.

[Mike Leary]

Thanks anyway, made a appointment with Peterbuilt. They think it's the bell crank.

[Auretrvr]

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

[ScrapIrony-2]

Is "bell crank" as expensive as it sounds??? I would have aimed at air bags...m

[Mike Leary]

Thanks, guys. Wow! Bell crank= PRICEY!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

Thanks, guys. Wow! Bell crank= PRICEY!

I'm betting the price was somewhere around $330 each. At least that is what I paid about 3 years ago

Brad

[Mike Leary]

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

Was it a steering problem or tire wear that tipped you off, Brad?

[jhenry]

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

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

Was it a steering problem or tire wear that tipped you off, Brad?

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

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by jhenry

I'd try these first before replaceing expensive bell crank! Jonathan

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

[Mike Leary]

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!

[Robfike]

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

[Mike Leary]

Thanks, well check everything else this week, but I have a hunch we need a alignment.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

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.

[ScrapIrony-2]

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