Driving a large motorhome can be challenging, and the RV steering stabilizer helps make the driving more manageable by keeping the vehicle straight.
How to Tell if RV Steering Stabilizer is Bad? According to our experience, a bad steering stabilizer in RV can result in oversteer by turning the RV more towards one side. The driver will feel difficulty in controlling the vehicle to keep it straight. You will have to apply extra grip and force to keep the steering centered. Bumpy steering or wobbly movement of RV is also an indication of a bad steering stabilizer. It can also result in vibrations in the front end of the vehicle.
Symptoms of a faulty RV steering stabilizer
The purpose of the RV steering stabilizer is to ease the driving by keeping it straight and preventing too much damage during any unfortunate incident.
Oversteering
Oversteer is a phenomenon in which your RV turns more towards one side. The slight movement of the steering wheel magnifies it to an extent where it is difficult to control.
It is the result of bad dampers or misalignment of the balancing element of the stabilizer. Moreover, you mount it with the tie rod to keep it balanced.
Any wrong installation or due to wear and tear can result in its dislocation causing the RV to oversteer. It also becomes prominent according to the total payload on your vehicle.
Another term used for oversteer is wandering that requires the driver to do frequent corrections to keep the vehicle straight.
Loss of control
If you observe the shaky movement of the steering wheel on such surfaces, it is a symptom of stabilizer failure.
Moreover, you have to put extra force into controlling the vehicle. Therefore, it results in driving fatigue and unsafe conditions for the motorhome.
A loose steering wheel is also the result of a flawed stabilizing system. As a result, the vehicle will not respond expectedly despite turning the wheel, causing inconvenience and annoyance.
Steering will not return to center
Driving an RV for several hours is a tiring experience because of the extra force to keep it straight. However, it has springs attached or a hydraulic system to keep it centered when keeping the RV straight.
The situation worsens when you control RV sway due to wind gusts. You will have no option but to stop it under challenging situations until favorable driving conditions.
Shaky movement
If you observe a shaky movement or vibration of the steering on your motorhome at higher speeds above 45-50 mph, it is a warning sign for a faulty stabilizer.
There can be other reasons for malfunctioning, such as constant velocity (CV) joints, imbalanced tires, deformed brake rotors, and axles.
Another indication for this problem is the presence of vibration at slow rpm, and it gets magnified at higher rpm. You need to inspect your vehicle for any broken parts or install the new steering stabilizer.
Death wobble
Death wobble is excessive vibrations an RV faces results in turning the steering system back and forth, making it difficult to control it.
Driving at higher speeds on a bumpy road triggers the death wobble, and you can control it by slowing the vehicle down.
Steering stabilizer failure causes death wobble and needs replacement also with other worn-out or faulty parts.
Sound of broken parts
If you hear the sound on the front side of your motorhome while turning the steering, it is a symptom of broken parts of the stabilizer.
It can also be due to other systems, but a steering damper is also one. Therefore, you should immediately stop it and inspect underneath for any loose part.
Visit any workshop or repair it immediately to resolve the issue.
Which parts to inspect while finding a bad steering stabilizer?
Like all other parts of RV, steering stabilizer parts also become older and faulty due to aging and continuous use. Therefore, you need to inspect and replace them before any failure occurs.
Fluid seals
The steering damper uses a shock assembly with hydraulic fluid to prevent shaky movement of the axle and steering wheel.
However, with time or physical damage, the fluid seal becomes leaky and results in the loss of hydraulic fluid.
The stabilizer will not work with no oil, causing extra stress on the suspension system and tires. Therefore, you need to inspect under the motorized RV for any signs of fluid leakage.
You can repair the unit by refilling the fluid and replacing the seal. I will recommend installing a new system for longevity in service.
Rusting of parts
The track bar is a steering stabilizer with a metallic rod connected between the front axle and vehicle frame.
However, they become curved or loose due to excessive stresses under load and rusting. Shock-based stabilizers also become worn out with time due to use and aging.
As a result, their connections with steering linkages become loose. In case of death wobble, they can also break due to excessive forces on their parts.
Therefore, you should inspect them if it becomes loose or you hear a clunking sound underneath the RV.
Physical damage to spring
A large steel spring wrapped around shock-based stabilizers keeps the vehicle straight by its expansion and contraction.
Whenever you release the steering wheel, it will straighten the vehicle with the pull of spring in its original position.
However, if spring breaks or becomes stiffened with time, it will become too loose or rigid and hard to control the RV.
Can you drive an RV with a broken steering stabilizer?
It is an aftermarket part used by RV owners to facilitate them in driving with stability and safety.
Therefore, it is not mandatory to install and use for everyone. Instead, it has a purpose to control the side-to-side movement of the vehicle.
However, there can be a problem if a broken part causes it to skew or push the tie rod or axle towards one side. Driving will be difficult and require more energy and force to control the RV in such a situation.
How often to inspect for a faulty steering stabilizer?
A steering stabilizer is a mechanical assembly and requires inspection like other similar parts, including drivetrain, suspension system, and brakes.
Therefore, you should inspect its physical integrity and alignment every quarter during regular preventive maintenance.
In addition, I will recommend visually observing any fluid leakage or broken part at the start and end of every camping trip to ensure a safe journey.
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