Steering Wheel shimmy

KatieVL · 05-24-2018, 08:07 PM

Recently bought a 2015 Ellipse 42QD and it had a slight pull to the right and the steering wheel had a bit of a shimmy. I just got it back from an alignment. It no longer pulls but the steering wheel shimmies of vibrates left/right. Not a big shimmy, but enough to make the tendonitis in my arm to bug me.

Any ideas on what would cause this or how to fix it?

Anyone else experience this?

NYBobbo · 05-24-2018, 08:29 PM

did they balance the tires?

Wayne M · 05-24-2018, 11:15 PM

Mine does the same thing. Yes, had it aligned and tires balanced. Does it around 55-60 mph, however, it is very road dependent. Some surfaces it doesn't vibrate and on others it does.

Frustrating to say the least. The vibration is very slight but it is there.

KatieVL · 05-28-2018, 06:08 PM

I wonder if the Saf-T-Plus would help?

Wayne M · 05-29-2018, 10:38 AM

Safe-T-Plus does not presently have a steering stabilizer for the Independent Front Suspension (IFS) system, but they are working on it.

RETE8 · 05-30-2018, 05:27 AM

I had the same issue with our 2015 Ellipse. Had it aligned and tires balanced with no effect on the steering wheel wobble. Only had 25,000 miles on the tires. But due to the misalignment, the inside of the front tires where worn. I ran my had over the worn part and found a hump on the worn inside tread. This would only get worse as the tires wore. Put new tires on the front, balanced and realigned. Drives better than new.
Lon

Lv2Roam2 · 05-30-2018, 04:57 PM

Had the same issue - speed dependent at 45 - 50. Gaffney Service Center called it 'run out.' They spun the tire on the hub - marked the high spot - removed and spun balanced and then remounted with the high spot at 12' O'clock. No more problems ...

Phil-T · 05-30-2018, 06:49 PM

Look for a shop that has a Road Force Balancer.

Lou Conte · 06-02-2018, 05:29 PM

We had the same problem on our 2015 Tour QD. It was a bad tire and it would not balance, after three separate attempts at balancing we ended up getting both front tires replaced under warranty and that solved the problem. You will likely need two new tires to correct the problem.

I have also installed Centramatic Wheel Balancers all the way around.

e4services · 06-02-2018, 06:10 PM

I have had the same thing, always a bad tire. The tire on the last problem rig, found that the tire, when spin on the balancer, could see the tread wobble . Slipped belt he said.

Lou Conte · 06-02-2018, 06:25 PM

Those are the correct words. “Slipped Belt”. I could not remember, the shop said it was a common problem with Michelin. Maybe maybe not....

KatieVL · 06-04-2018, 06:33 PM

Thanks for the replies. Gonna take it back to the tire shop and have the tires removed and balanced.

jerichorick · 06-06-2018, 11:24 AM

I had a Vectra with IFS. Had the same problem. Never did get it resolved to my satisfaction.

I have had 2 coaches with I beam front ends. Same right pull on them as with the IFS. I think it is a Freightliner Custom Chassis characteristic. On this present coach I have had installed self ballancers and the Blue Ox True Center. The coach rides great now. Other improvements include Bilstein shocks, Toyo tires on the rear and Continentals on the front. Long story on the Conies. Would not do again because of price but they do handle great.

Gordon Dewald · 06-12-2018, 09:53 PM

Our coach has an occasional slight pulse in the steering. Not enough to worry about fixing.