1999 rear shocks

[99ChinookTXGRANS]

We purchased our Chinook almost 3 weeks ago. While driving the steering wheel pulls to the left and then pulls to the right. We took it to have new tires put on ( the spare was the original tire) the others were 7 to 9 yrs old; after alignment it was a little better but still having the same problem. It was suggested that the rear shocks could be the problem. Has anyone any idea where to get these (they are not stock items)?

[sliderock]

What make is your camper chassis? Shock absorbers should not be any different than for a like vehicle without the Chinook home on it. I have never known of bad shocks to cause any vehicle to pull one way or another. A sticking balance valve in the power steering would be a prime suspect.

I had a 1997 GMC 3/4 ton that would "dive" when turning very far off straight ahead.

Be sure to have a competent front end man check it over.

[Blue~Go]

Do you have a Ford E-350 chassis? If so, I wonder if you are feeling "bump steer," which is a known thing. Does the wheel shift back and forth when you go over bumps? (Hence the name.) There is also some wandering you can get (typically on highway) which can often be improved with a better caster setting.

It's hard to imagine exactly how rear shocks would contribute directly, although of course worn shocks should be replaced anyway.

My '99 Concourse didn't have either of these fairly typical vices, but it did have the original shocks at 49,000 miles, and plus I just typically find that "factory" shocks are not as sporty as I might like (on any vehicle). I had an E-250 based campervan previously, so kind of knew what to expect. At any rate, let's just say it took some tweaking to get up to the "Sportscar of Motorhomes" claim (which I expected).

I did some research and read about what other folks had done, plus talked to the folks at Henderson's Line-up, and just generally educated myself on the topic. Then I started in improving things. I'll list them in order, along with some notes:

1) New tires (day I bought it). Michelin LTX M/S 2. No complaints.
2) New/better shocks all the way around (about three months later). Koni FSR brand/model. They improved what I expected (i.e. what shocks do, but not overall handling).

3) Around six months later, I got a new/takeout 2014 front end - mostly for the better braking, but it also included new-design suspension parts. Not that that is strictly necessary. At the same time I got a larger front anti-sway bar (Roadmaster brand), and a large rear anti-sway bar (also Roadmaster - the chassis had no rear anti-sway bar stock). I was really looking forward to this part, as I have put this type of bar on cars and loved the handling improvement.

Result of that was that the front bar made a nice improvement, but the rear bar made the suspension way too harsh. Research told me this is a common issue on E-350 and E-450 chassis (ambulances fight this problem). There were some expensive options (parabolic springs, Mor-Ryde), but I wanted to try some other things first. I had the rear bar removed (fixed the harshness, but also took away the improvement!), and went to Henderson's Line-Up for a pro eval.

4) Henderson's drove the coach and actually said it was pretty darned good. Better than most coaches they test (they have a very thorough test, miles of driving, four wheel weigh, etc.). They understood the harshness problem (it was gone then as I had removed the new rear bar, but they knew what I was referring to). They didn't recommend some of the common things (track bar) because it wasn't really necessary, and said even a steering stabilizer was fairly optional. My main priority was taking care of the rear - I wanted the fun handling back but not the harshness. So we experimented.

I ended up ordering a stock E-450 dually rear anti-sway bar from a junkyard (smaller than the Roadmaster rear bar, larger of course than "no bar" that came on the rig). I also switched to Koni adjustable shocks on the rear and set them at the softest setting. This seemed to be a really good combination, giving me the "fun through the turns" of the rear anti-sway bar, but without the harshness. Yay!

5) Next I decided to put a steering stabilizer on. It wasn't strictly necessary, but I wanted to try it. I went for the recommended size "Safe-T-Steer," and it did improve highway steering, but I found it tiresome on curvy roads and around town. They had a discontinued small model (small in force needed) that was for a Toyota Dolphin originally, IIRC, and we put that on instead. That took car of the onerous steering on curvy roads, and gave most of the highway improvement, but not all. Based on this and previous similar experiences, Henderson's was going to talk to Safe-T-Steer about making an intermediate model. I would go for that if it became available.

The one other thing I would like to try are the Sulastic Shackles (for the rear springs). I was not able to get them in time to have Henderson's put them on, so don't have them. I'm pretty darned happy with the way it handles now, but that would be my next move if I changed anything else. Whereas before I felt "over extended" taking highway curves (not interstate, but say mountain highways) at the posted speed, now I can actually go over that speed (not that I do, but I could) without feeling like I'm about to have a problem. I also notice a big improvement when, say, coming out of a gas station where there is a bit of a drop, and if at an angle (like turning onto the road on way out) the coach used to sort of get an awkward "rocking" going, threatening to disturb contents in the rear. That is much reduced with the anti-sway bars.

Mainly, it's just so much more fun to drive now. Feels like the "Sportscar of Motorhomes" that it was advertised as. Whee! And the improved braking is great too, even if not as much of a "fun" thing.

Hope this wasn't too much info. If you could post more details about your issue maybe we could help more.

Dale
1999 Concourse

[99ChinookTXGRANS]

Our coach is the 1999 Concourse on the Ford E350 chassis. Your information has given us some things to try.
Thank you and we will post our results.
TXGrans

[Concourse]

Yes, shocks are a dampening device not a load carrying device. Bad shocks aren't typically something that will "steer" the vehicle.

The front end on these trucks is a swinging axle made of two pieces and they do have a little odd feeling to them over bumps which can be a steering wheel movement. Aside from what was mentioned above and checking front end components (tie-rod ends, idler arm, steering box, etc.) you should look at the rear suspension just for sake of knowledge. I think your model year has the MorRyde blocks located at the back of the rear leaf springs. These can tear apart over time from wear and weathering. Most service shops won't know anything about those so take it upon yourself to check yours for cracks or tears.

Just to add searchable information to this forum for future readers......Many RV owners install aftermarket shocks on their motorhome. Either as an upgrade or to replace old worn shocks. My 2004 Concourse has Bilstein shocks (motorhome series) and here are the part numbers:

Rear = F4-B46-1614-HO
Front = F4-B46-1613-HO

[Blue~Go]

I have a 1999 Concourse (as does the OP). It was the fully optioned model, but does not have More-Ryde. That makes me think it may not have even been offered in 1999.

Mor-Ryde can be added though (I considered it but wasn't totally sure I wanted them). I think that, as I mentioned, I would go to Sulastic Spring shackles next (if there is a next - I'm pretty happy now).

[Concourse]

Factory Chinook documentation is hard to find so I don't have an option sheet for 1999. But the 2001 sheet shows Mor/Ryde as a separate individual option not a standard Concourse item. The 2003 Premier brochure has it listed as an option. Just adding this to the thread for future readers.

[Blue~Go]

And also for reference, Quadvan, the place where I had my 2014 front end put on, also does Mor-Ryde. So it can be added after the fact if one wants it. As it turns out, Quadvan is the place that did the Chinook 4 x 4 conversions for many of the Chinooks back in the day. They have a photo of a high-vis Baja in their office area I've given a wee bit of thought to having mine converted, but not sure I want to give up any of my highway fun/handling (if it would), quieter tires, and easy in and out (lower step). OTOH, might be fun.

[99ChinookTXGRANS]

We have taken 2 trips (160 miles round trip)... Close to home...since we didn't know how the drift was going to affect our venture in the new to us RV. It has improved slightly since we had it serviced with ball joints, wheel bearings and front end alignment (twice). After the 2nd alignment, the drift was better at 55mph but back at 65 to 70mph. At the Ford dealers recommendation we then researched shocks again for the coach sway and ordered the Bilstein shocks for the front and rear, and the Safe T Plus system for front steering stabilizing. The Mor Ryde was the mystery item (thank you Manatou)
we had no clue what it was; And have no idea if it has been on the RV for how long. Still need to take it into Camping World and have them check it. We thank everyone for your input. It takes a village to send us on our really First Road Trip....
TXGrans
99 Concourse

[HoosierB]

Has anyone installed a Firestone Ride-Rite air suspension for the rear axle? Wondering if this add-on will work on a 2001 Concourse XL (Ford E-350) with the Chinook installed MorRyde rear suspension. Has it made a noticeable improvement to your ride and handling? Any recommendations for a different make?