Don,
Man, have you gone through the suspension, I didn't see a partridge in a
pear tree though!!!
You say it still has lousey tracking and loose steering! OK, lets go
back to some basics, I am a firm believer in diagostics even if I can't
spell the word!
Lets do a mechanical test: jacl up the front end and start at the bottom
of the steer column and shake then twist every joint- I know this sounds
very simplistic but this is the first step in discovery. Look for any
play or unwanted motion. Steer shaft CV, Slip shaft, U joint- Gear box
(watch for a worn spline situation which shows up as a second pull as
you move the steer wheel from side to side in the gear box). Drag link
joints, relay lever pivot & ball end, both sides of the idler arm, tie
rod ends and adjuster, control arm bushings, ball joints (upper & lower)
Did I miss anything?
Now that you are certain there are no loose components, lets move to the
rear suspension. Jack the rear up, check pins, bearings. Are the bolts
in the frame to the boogy tight? Does the "C" channel flex when you
lift up on the boggy?
OK, the physical exam is done, you can put on you clothes now!
Tires: D or E rated, is your toe set properly? Did you get a print out
of your alignment specs.? If camber or toe is off, handling will be
eratic. Did you true and balance the tires? Do you have uneven tire
wear?
Now, stop- have a BC powder and review your results. Where does the
ghost lie? If all of these questions answer with good answers, I would
really like to see the coach for myself. You have thrown enough money
at this problem, there has to be something silly we are missing. Let me
know what you find!
Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com
>
> 8/11/98
> Jim:
> I resending an original letter to you regarding the above steering
> problem I am having with my '76 GMC Eleganza. Hope you can help.
>
> Don Martin
> dvm22727
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Fwd: My Loose Steering problems
> Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 14:48:11 EDT
> From: DVM22727
> To: jimbounds
>
> 8/9/98
> Jim Bounds;
>
> Thanks for the info on the steering wheel. I will call you tomorrow
> regarding this part.
>
> Now, I am sending you a copy of my letter written to Al Chernoff (he
> stated-on the web-he had corrected his loose steering problem ) in which I
> asked for permission to call him to discuss what he had done to correct his
> steering problem. Consequently, after reading your many problem solving
> letters, I am curious if you can shed any light on my loose steering
> situation?
>
> So,would you please review this letter, which shows all the things I have
> had done to my coach, and let me know what additional things I should do?
>
> Don Martin
> dvm22727
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: My Loose Steering problems
> Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 00:43:06 EDT
> From: DVM22727
> To: mr.c (mr.c)
>
>
> 8/2/98
> Al Chernoff:
>
> I have had loose steering in my '76 Eleganza II since I purchased the coach
> last October. I have spent a great deal of money on the GMC to correct the
> problem and it still does not steer right. I would like to call you at your
> convenience to discuss how I might correct this problem..( We love the
> coach in every way except this driving problem and If I can't fix it I plan
> to trade it in on a new Coachmen Sportcoach). You can advise the best time
> to call you by my E-Mail Address:: dvm22727 . (All most desperate).
>
> The following is a list of what I have done to my coach without correcting
> the problem ( Perhaps you can advise what else I should have done):
>
> 1) 4 Alcoa Wheels and new 16" x 6" Tires on back four.
> 2) 2 Alcoa wheels and new 16 x 7" Tires on front two.
> 3) A 6 wheel allignment.
> 4) Safe-T-Plus steering control.
> 5) Front and Rear stablizers
> 6) New Front Wheel Bearings-R & L.
> 7) 6 Bilstein Brand shocks.
> 8) Replaced Steering Box.
> 9) Replaced Steering Coupling Shaft.
> 10) Sway bar (front urethane bushings) links replaced.
> 11) New stablizer bushing brackets
> 12) New Idler Arm.
> 13) New Ball Jooints - Lower #2.
> 14) New Relay Lever, bushings,Dust seals.
> 15) New Relay Arm Spool.
>
> 16) IT STILL HAS LOOSE STEERING AND LOWSY TRACKING!!!!!!
>
> Al, most work was all done by professional mechanics @Cinnabar ,Sandusky,Mi
> ( & Local GMC trained people here in Kalamazoo). I did this work on the
> advice of the above professionals; a little from the GREAT LAKERS and
> information found on the GMC Web-Site. But you are the only person who has
> admitted that the GMC has a steering flaw that can be fixed. So please let
> me know when I may call you and discuss your solutions to my steering
> problems and If there are any other items that I can have done.
>
> Many thanks,
> . Don Martin
> dvm22727
Man, have you gone through the suspension, I didn't see a partridge in a
pear tree though!!!
You say it still has lousey tracking and loose steering! OK, lets go
back to some basics, I am a firm believer in diagostics even if I can't
spell the word!
Lets do a mechanical test: jacl up the front end and start at the bottom
of the steer column and shake then twist every joint- I know this sounds
very simplistic but this is the first step in discovery. Look for any
play or unwanted motion. Steer shaft CV, Slip shaft, U joint- Gear box
(watch for a worn spline situation which shows up as a second pull as
you move the steer wheel from side to side in the gear box). Drag link
joints, relay lever pivot & ball end, both sides of the idler arm, tie
rod ends and adjuster, control arm bushings, ball joints (upper & lower)
Did I miss anything?
Now that you are certain there are no loose components, lets move to the
rear suspension. Jack the rear up, check pins, bearings. Are the bolts
in the frame to the boogy tight? Does the "C" channel flex when you
lift up on the boggy?
OK, the physical exam is done, you can put on you clothes now!
Tires: D or E rated, is your toe set properly? Did you get a print out
of your alignment specs.? If camber or toe is off, handling will be
eratic. Did you true and balance the tires? Do you have uneven tire
wear?
Now, stop- have a BC powder and review your results. Where does the
ghost lie? If all of these questions answer with good answers, I would
really like to see the coach for myself. You have thrown enough money
at this problem, there has to be something silly we are missing. Let me
know what you find!
Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com
>
> 8/11/98
> Jim:
> I resending an original letter to you regarding the above steering
> problem I am having with my '76 GMC Eleganza. Hope you can help.
>
> Don Martin
> dvm22727
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Fwd: My Loose Steering problems
> Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 14:48:11 EDT
> From: DVM22727
> To: jimbounds
>
> 8/9/98
> Jim Bounds;
>
> Thanks for the info on the steering wheel. I will call you tomorrow
> regarding this part.
>
> Now, I am sending you a copy of my letter written to Al Chernoff (he
> stated-on the web-he had corrected his loose steering problem ) in which I
> asked for permission to call him to discuss what he had done to correct his
> steering problem. Consequently, after reading your many problem solving
> letters, I am curious if you can shed any light on my loose steering
> situation?
>
> So,would you please review this letter, which shows all the things I have
> had done to my coach, and let me know what additional things I should do?
>
> Don Martin
> dvm22727
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: My Loose Steering problems
> Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 00:43:06 EDT
> From: DVM22727
> To: mr.c (mr.c)
>
>
> 8/2/98
> Al Chernoff:
>
> I have had loose steering in my '76 Eleganza II since I purchased the coach
> last October. I have spent a great deal of money on the GMC to correct the
> problem and it still does not steer right. I would like to call you at your
> convenience to discuss how I might correct this problem..( We love the
> coach in every way except this driving problem and If I can't fix it I plan
> to trade it in on a new Coachmen Sportcoach). You can advise the best time
> to call you by my E-Mail Address:: dvm22727 . (All most desperate).
>
> The following is a list of what I have done to my coach without correcting
> the problem ( Perhaps you can advise what else I should have done):
>
> 1) 4 Alcoa Wheels and new 16" x 6" Tires on back four.
> 2) 2 Alcoa wheels and new 16 x 7" Tires on front two.
> 3) A 6 wheel allignment.
> 4) Safe-T-Plus steering control.
> 5) Front and Rear stablizers
> 6) New Front Wheel Bearings-R & L.
> 7) 6 Bilstein Brand shocks.
> 8) Replaced Steering Box.
> 9) Replaced Steering Coupling Shaft.
> 10) Sway bar (front urethane bushings) links replaced.
> 11) New stablizer bushing brackets
> 12) New Idler Arm.
> 13) New Ball Jooints - Lower #2.
> 14) New Relay Lever, bushings,Dust seals.
> 15) New Relay Arm Spool.
>
> 16) IT STILL HAS LOOSE STEERING AND LOWSY TRACKING!!!!!!
>
> Al, most work was all done by professional mechanics @Cinnabar ,Sandusky,Mi
> ( & Local GMC trained people here in Kalamazoo). I did this work on the
> advice of the above professionals; a little from the GREAT LAKERS and
> information found on the GMC Web-Site. But you are the only person who has
> admitted that the GMC has a steering flaw that can be fixed. So please let
> me know when I may call you and discuss your solutions to my steering
> problems and If there are any other items that I can have done.
>
> Many thanks,
> . Don Martin
> dvm22727
