jimshoen
05-26-2008, 01:11 AM
Received my X-12 wrench and promptly put the bus on John's stands and removed both front tires/wheels. All going well.
Then began to try out my new Lincoln cordless grease gun. This tool works great and it can be dragged around under the bus easily.
In the process I needed to turn the wheel to get access to the lower king pin zerk fitting. No big deal.
Then I decided to check out what happens when you turn the steering wheel from lock to lock.
This is where the education began again.
Turns out the position of the tie rod end clamp bolt is very important on the 1997 IFS. Discovered the inner clamp bolt p/s was hitting up against the sub frame weight off wheels. Fixed that, then the inside clamp bolt on the d/s was hitting the frame. Fixed that, then found the outer p/s clamp bolt was interfering with the steering arm. Fixed that, then found the same on the other side with the additional fun that the clamp bolt was tearing into the shock outer cover. Also, found the clamps on both ends of the drag link needing minor adjustment.
In any case, I am happy that John has me convinced to start doing more of my own maintenance.
Do not be so sure the experts are checking out all your steering linkage.
Good news is my bus will have a better turning radius. That is what the IFS is for, right?
I'll be doing the same check weight on wheels. You can see all of this with out getting under the bus. Just need a good flash light and know what to look for.
Five pictures attached here and four more on the next one.
The last two pictures are both sides of the axle turning stops.
Jim
Then began to try out my new Lincoln cordless grease gun. This tool works great and it can be dragged around under the bus easily.
In the process I needed to turn the wheel to get access to the lower king pin zerk fitting. No big deal.
Then I decided to check out what happens when you turn the steering wheel from lock to lock.
This is where the education began again.
Turns out the position of the tie rod end clamp bolt is very important on the 1997 IFS. Discovered the inner clamp bolt p/s was hitting up against the sub frame weight off wheels. Fixed that, then the inside clamp bolt on the d/s was hitting the frame. Fixed that, then found the outer p/s clamp bolt was interfering with the steering arm. Fixed that, then found the same on the other side with the additional fun that the clamp bolt was tearing into the shock outer cover. Also, found the clamps on both ends of the drag link needing minor adjustment.
In any case, I am happy that John has me convinced to start doing more of my own maintenance.
Do not be so sure the experts are checking out all your steering linkage.
Good news is my bus will have a better turning radius. That is what the IFS is for, right?
I'll be doing the same check weight on wheels. You can see all of this with out getting under the bus. Just need a good flash light and know what to look for.
Five pictures attached here and four more on the next one.
The last two pictures are both sides of the axle turning stops.
Jim