Uncontrollable Steering on a Wanderlodge RV. Crazy wheel alignment. Saving the bus owner $6-8,000
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- By not replacing the unnecessary parts of the ball joints we essentially saved the client $6,000-$8000 in parts and labor. I think most shops if the clients came in with the parts and the clients asking to replace them they would just do it no questions asked. But with only 90k miles on the 2004 model Wanderlodge i really wanted to confirm the issue. Steering has been bad since he bought it 3 years and 20,000 miles ago. Previous owners he said acted like that steering was normal. Apparently there was an alignment done after he hit an armadillo before he bought the bus
My coach tracked horribly from the day I bought it and right hand turns were so sketchy that I thought for sure that I had a bad driver side upper ball joint. Scott's honesty made the repair than cheaper than I had planned on, although I will follow his advise and keep a set of the ball joints just in case. Scott has been a gracious host and I can't thank him and his team enough. I'm looking forward to finally enjoying driving my bus!
YOUR. AKA. GREASE MONKEY. TEAM. ARE. CLASS ACT. ECT. ECT. ECT. .......
If I had a bus and I had you inspect it, I would feel so safe and satisfied after you looked at it Scott. I am in awe of you and your staff. You do an excellent job.
This is not the first time I saw such a happy PRIMARY driver of these beautiful buses with all work done . Great EDITTING also. Job well done every one.
Good job Scott. I can’t imagine 2 inches of toe in. That gives a whole new meaning to its name Wonderlodge. Looks like customer is very happy with his coach now
Scott: Maybe you need to start an inspection service for people purchasing a used bus. You could save them thousands on the purchase price after telling them what it will cost to perform the repairs on the bus they are looking at. With the cost of fuel, etc, it might not be financially rewarding, but it's a thought!
A mobile inspection three guys and a large rotator
Not for Scott maybe but definitely a prospective bus owner! We do only hear the bad stories though.
Replacing the worn steer tire will further improve the handling and keep the other side tire from wearing prematurely. It was common on the 18 wheelers that once tire began to wear strangly the other side soon followed. Getting the company shop to replace them both at the same time was nearly impossible. The steers were the only new tires our rigs had on them.
Congratulations, Scott and crew! Another satisfied, better informed client and yet another blow to the crumbs who prey on bus owners and almost certainly anyone coming in with heavy commercial vehicles.
I hope you guys can find the time to sink a weather shelter on your mountain top home; particularly with the grand baby there, it would be wonderful to have an armored shelter before the next storm arrives!!
Where can I get that alignment laser tool? Love the videos!
Great video. Very educational as well as just repairs. Little by little your branching into more areas of vintage bus/rv repairs
For those toe-in adjustments, I would pull out the metric tape measures.
A pair of ball bearing toe plates would allow faster and more accurate toe adjustments.
Thank you Vintage!
That must have been some monster armadillo! Wanderlodge is appropriate name for this one. How can you get toe-in so far off? I think you could eye-ball it and be closer. Interesting ball joints.
Aligned because he hit an armadillo!!!😳🤣🤣🤣
It was in Texas, we've got BIG Armadillos here lol. Yeah I laughed too when he said that.
A real brass t fitting is the way to go. Plastic, plastic, plastic. Pretty soon EVERYTHING will attempt to be made from plastic. (OK resin mixed sauce).
The old one was brass but had plastic ends
Nice job, the M380s are known for having ball joint issues. The boots rot away and allow dirt etc in the joint wearing them out prematurely. A WOG member started making the split boots so that you did not have to remove the ball joint to replace the boot. That same member also made those tools for removing the ball joints. Bet that thing drives like a race car now that the alignment is within spec. It’s amazing that someone could have aligned it that far out.
Good to see the ball joint tools getting used, I know thread on wog was talking about them.
Alignment was shocking
Thanks Scott for doing this video! Have owned 2004 M380 for 10 years. With correct settings, the M380 should drive like it’s on rails. That misalignment was nuts! Those split BJ boots sometimes come unglued. Did YT video on my channel on how I repaired mine. This next year new air bags, a soapy squirt bottle & new leveling valves are on my list. Those plastic push-pull air connectors are known for leaking. Have replaced most of mine with permanent brass fittings. Very glad YT suggested this video. Thanks again for doing it!
It's so educational watching your videos. Just learning how to work on the big stuff.
Scott, I had to replace the track rod ends (tie rod ends) on my 2003 Volvo XC90 because the right one had failed the MoT (UK roadworthiness test for all vehicles 3 years old or more). I used a combination of heat & WD40 to get the tie rod ends off and free off the locknuts. The UK MoT also has advisory items that are getting close to a failure and would almost certainly fail the next test. My front tyres were advisories being close the the legal minimum amount of tread (1.6mm of tread depth across the central three quarters of the tyre) and some wear on the inside edges. I fitted brand new Continental tyres and had the front wheel alignment done at the same time.
Alignment fixture brand pls?
Where did you get that wheel alignment gear? Thanks
He’ll get better fuel mileage after you take those 2”s out…Wow!
Nice job Scott,hope guy gave a good tip
Hammer the tie rod ends with the air hammer, it will loosen them up.
Another nice episode of BGM saving another bus owner from bad past work.
It's as tho the overriding majority of shops out there are hell bent on putting bus owners in danger of serious accidents.
When you say the tie rods aren’t available, do you mean, just now or not ever?
Looks like Tennessee is the place to buy a coach. From there you go straight to Scott to square it away and off you go. Im seriously considering looking for my next coach out there.
don't see how a shop could miss a 2" toe in. one could stand in front the bus and visible see that much toe in or out. my Uncle had an Allegro motor home that had a bent tired arm that went between wheels. he had about an inch toe out. I could see it sitting in my car.
I bought an 85 300d mercedes from a girl back in 2001. When I test drove it, I could not keep it in my lane on the freeway. When I said something to her about it, she said there was nothing wrong with it, and it was fine.
Really? After replacing bad tierod ends, balljoints, and a steering box adjustment, then it was fine. 😅😂
Did you replace those bad rotors or did he decide to wait?
Wanderlodge no longer wandering 😆
Scott can caster and camber be adjusted on that type front end?
This customer has a voice like C.W. McCall! Almost expect the music from "Convoy" to start!
How can a shop get an alignment THAT BAD? Straightening that out should also save him some fuel and tires, too! Those ball joints are HUGE - no wonder they're so expensive! Glad to see it wasn't anything TOO serious! I've got to do that job this year, myself, but I'm only doing it on a pickup.
I don't hear it, but I suppose if you aren't from the south most southern accents might sound like CW McCall to you.
There is an electric induction heater that can be used instead of a torch to heat the tie rod ends.
Oh Boy ! Sure glad he didn't waste money on paying to have them ball joints installed somewhere else 💪another one saved by the BGM 🐵☮️
That's a nice bus for sure. Wonder if that was a Steering Creations Wheel in the cockpit, like them.
2" toe adjustment put the "wander" in "Wanderlodge."
Project Farm did a comparison of penetrating oils and good 'ol Liquid Wrench came in as #1 overall. LW is consideraly cheaper if you're paying retail.
If you do these sorts of measurements in cm and mm instead of inches, it's much easier to be precise without all the "fractionary".
Except you need to know 1/16” conversion to cm. Pretty sure i know my fractions of 16ths and not one tool i use is metric so don’t try and corrupt me with that metric crap ;) it’s my eyes that are slow to figure out measurements not my brain. The metric lines are just as if not more difficult to read.
1.588mm + - 1.588mm sounds harder to me to accurately read.
@@BusGreaseMonkey As BGM imples, if the dimensions are given in inches then you use inches; if given in mm then you use metric. Saves all the conversion headaches and potential errors.
I really can't see everything but when you checked the ball joints on that particular suspense you must have it jacked up by the frame letting the front tires hang to unload pressure off the ball joints to check them.
Yes they must be unloaded.
When the guy was asking is Scott was from Tennessee I could tell he hasn't been a BGM fan for too long!🤣
The only thing worse than a back seat driver is a side seat driver. My gosh man... The channel and content are great, but don't micro manage the driver.
There are some very specific things on our property that will screw up his bus that drivers need to know.
It’ll drive even better once those tires wear back even…
A Wanderlodge wandering over the road!
Looked but didn't see a note. Who makes the alignment rig?
ezred.com/product/e-z-line-complete-laser-alignment-tool/
You were talking about the wine truck that overturned. We had a truck load of Jack Daniels overturn here in NC a couple of weeks ago. 😂
Much more tragic with the loss of whiskey :)
I love the laser tool. Personal question, 800.00 ? ! ! I'm an old 4x4 solid axle guy. I used 1/8" total. 1/16" pivot C/L to front edge of tire. Worked fine so no obsurd wear, it became my standard ! ! !
Ah yes, the classic seller trick, "whaddya mean? It handles fine. It's just a big bus."
I bought a MH 4 years ago. It’s a 2012 Ford F53 chassis. The previous owner must’ve been chasing a handling issue as it had all the bolt on suspension stuff available for an F53. It drove good on the back roads, but I didn’t go much over 45 mph. On the ride home the thing was awful to keep straight, it was wandering back and forth in the lane. By the time I got home 3 hours later my arms were tired. I ended up checking the alignment with a tape measure and found it 5/8” toed out. No wonder it was all over the place. I set it to 1/16 toed in and it drove amazing! Could one hand drive it and I’ve driven 10 hours a day with no problems.
Sad part is it had 1 year old tires and an alignment was said to have been done at the same time. Crazy.
I know exactly how he feels with a coach that has a dramatic change in drive ability.
Honesty and competency...two things the world needs more of. Excellent work, guys!
Amazing. I've not seen a bus with a wishbone front end. Unbelievable amount of toe in.
I bet they handle beautiful when they are set up right.
I've watched a bunch of the hill climbs, but that was the first pedestrian view. Takes some go pedal to take that hill. Good performance test.
Such interesting tools. Thank you for showcasing all of it.
Hi BGM, why was your guest driver not buckled up on his test drive?
Isn't that against the law in the US?
Where exactly do you live?
Hickman county tn
GM !! that was similar to a "Whoa Horsy Whoa" drive up to the shop !!! Great !! 👍
I can't believe a wheel alignment that far out of alignment. Either this was a "As assembled by the factory, mistake" I doubt it. Or, one of the previous owner's hit something, and got "Back-Yard BUBBA," to fix it. I did auto collision repair for over 25 plus years, if I didn't see for myself, I wouldn't believe the claim of a 2" inch out of alignment. Talk about a one in a million.
Wheel alignment is soooo much easier using metric. Can get millimeter perfect just with string and axle stands.
Hack they'll probably pick up a few extra miles per gallon since they're not dragging that tire down the road.
I heard that you are from Indiana. Close to Chicago. I grew up on Crown Point. My dad built a bus. I inherited the bus. I was wondering if you might remember the bus. He owned a Body Shop in Crown Point. I would love to chat with you sometime. Thanks Billy Holcomb...
Those tie rod components looked just like the ones on an Advance mixer. I remember the bushing in the huge tie rod was a bear to adjust or remove. Being a mixer and the constant acid usage for cleaning would make it impossible to turn. Those parts are still available. They may be what goes in the application that your RV uses.
Wide body M380. Mine a lot like it. 03 LX. Overlap year. Drum breaks
Wow that must have drove terrible with toe that far out the new tread will make a big dif also plus a bump in MPG would be my guess also with everything in spec. Great Job BGM Family !
It’s very cool how you just do the right thing, make the coach better and be like it should be, And the joy that you give the owners that have been mistreated by previous shops, incalculable.. you are a good human being..
Where did you obtain your knowledge to do what you do? I'm fascinated at what you know about bus repair
You guys are good good good good good good good good good you guys are good I like God bless
Yesterday I changed inner and outer tie rod ends on our 4Runner. “Counted the turns” as best as I could, but alignment must have been off some and was squirrelly on the way to the alignment shop. After alignment was like new again. Can’t imagine alignment being off that much!
Should you need to do an alignment after hitting an armadillo?
It's just it's good to know you're from Indiana my grandfather's fromyou said you lived out there in Chicago I think I met you at my brother's shop
Scott are any of those cracks more than 3inches? , and the worst thing people don't know is that the drill bit must be dipped in grease every minute you install the zert fitting along with the tap to collect the debris from the utensils. I've mentioned to you before I worked on wanderlodges for the mfg and private dealers 39yrs years.
Peach County Ga?
A little bit of toe-in is normal and good for straight line stability but this was excessive.
Refreshing to see an honest mechanic who wants to save money for his clients.
Maltby penetrating oil, and a muffler gun.
Well done scott.
Wow
Once again, job well done.😎👍🏼🎶
9:45 I can smell that through my computer!!
I don't expect he's driven buses professionally.
I said it before, I am amazed that people are not expected to have a special bus drivers license like many countries.
Its amazing more busses like this are not smashed up.
Bus grease monkey all ways happy. Love it
Hello to the Grease Monkey! :) I have a 1987 MCI 102A3 I need a few parts that no one seems to be able to get for me. It's the two parts on the end of my Throttle cable at the engine. The part # are as follows Hex nut 9G-4-80 and Ball Joint 9G-4-74 If you can help me out Great!! Thank you! ( Sorry I don't know how to get a hold of you any other way ) 🤔
Try Brandon at cardinal coach in warsaw nc
Sounded fantastic on the drive out and on the hill climb! What engine!/transmission does he have? Great job BGM!!
I believe he said it was a CAT!
I have an ‘04 M380 and it has a Cummins 400 ISL paired to an Allison 3000MH.
8.9 Cummins 400 ISL with a straight exhaust pipe.
Great video! Can you tell us who the manufacture of the ball joint covers is and where can they be purchased? Thanks!
Dan at coachparts@gmail.com
That bus seems pretty quiet
keep the clips coming
Superb work as always
Another happy customer
That bus sounds good!
Great video 👍 The best way to free seized nuts and bolts is heating up the instant cold water quenching,best tool for moving tie rods is large plumbers wrench!
These tie rod adjusters are nuts not pipe. Double threaded nuts you have to use a wrench
@@BusGreaseMonkey Thanks for clarifying, keep up the good work
Another nice coach .
👍🇺🇦👍🇺🇦
Not gonna lie , I was a little jealous of that WonderLodge.
Now that it steers good yes it’s a beautiful one
Good job.
Nice bus.
Yay!
I'm from Lake County (unfortunately) is that where you're from before moving to Indianapolis and Florida?
Highland grad, lived in st john, and crown point after hs
@@BusGreaseMonkey Be glad you left! What year Grad from HHS?
90
@@BusGreaseMonkey Cool. We're headed out of this region next year. Can't wait. Lake County has become more of a "Chicago subsidiary" as time has progressed.
What town
How would it drive with toe in set wrong?
He describes it very well in the test drive
I will watch it again to see what he said.
Its going to fight you the whole time.
His description of not being able to even look at the gauges for 1 second because the bus would go off the road if he wasn’t focused on steering was pretty scary. Sweaty steering wheel, white knuckle hand cramps
Wasn't it a 1inch toe in not 2inch?. Good job on the repairs.
Owners would be advised to leave the diagnostics to the experts rather than throw a load of money at parts they don't need.
Parts like that could take months to source so he tried to be prepared. But a bit of inspection 1st would be advised
Nice Detroit Diesel tattoo. Who does that belong to?
Tyler
@@BusGreaseMonkey he should get it filled in with the official colors.
What's with the baby steering wheel??