quote:

I love Bridgestones on my P30, but a few Barthers have not loved them on their Breakaways.

I will not opine whether or not the BS are the problem, but perhaps a Breakaway owner or two will comment.

I've had Bridgestone 8R19.5s for 90K miles on the rear; only "complaint" is that they're highway tires (not knobby), but they handle snow and ice well for being of that design. I have Goodyear 8R19.5 on the front, and they handle no differently from the original Kellys and the short-lived Wan-Lis.

To reprise, my Breakaway has tracked like it's on rails since I got it, and that was with slightly-worn king pins and very worn spring bushings.

I fought a vibration at around 58 mph for a couple of years, finally tracking it to a warped left front wheel.

Let me give you an explanation of your suspension, which is completely different from your steering. First - a Panhard bar is designed to keep the solid rear axle from moving from side to side because it is not held in position by any leaf spring or other device. It only centers the axle, nothing to do its steering. Your front sway bar and rear, if you have one, is dseigned to transfer the pressure from one side of the coach to keep the wheels from being unloaded as the weight transfers from the inboard side of the turn to the outside. If you have vibration like you described as a shaking of the steering wheel, you can look at the assemblies beginning with the steering box, to the Pitman Arm ( that connects the steering box to the linkage that connects the two front wheels) - to the tie rod ends, and then to the king pins. in order to have a vibration one or more of those dveices has to have slop or movement. Check them carefully. No suspension part, shock, Panhard, 4 link or 5 link will result in a vibration of the steering wheel. In large vehicles the bushings, links, tie rods and steering parts cause the looseness that results in vibration. You should check the control arm bushings and all the parts mentioned. Somewhere in that system is your problem. Forget the Panhard Bar, though you should check its bearings and bushings.

I think the vibration (which can also be caused by a warped front wheel) issue is distinct from the tracking/wandering concern, and a loose panhard rod can indeed allow that. But I agree that all steering components warrant a check, as it only takes a few minutes.

BTW, the 28'-30' Breakaways usually have a Dana 60 with no sway bar.

The Spartan EC 2242 that I have has a 145" wheelbase. The Dana 80 rear axle is held in place with leaf springs as is the Dana 60 solid front axle. The panhard rod in the rear is attached to the frame on one end and the axle on the other. The steering column is attached first to a miter box and then the steering motion is transferred by a short shaft to a steering box which in turn operates the rods attached to the individual wheels. There are shocks at each wheel location. Will be testing the panhard rod for play tomorrow. Will replace all the spring bushings as well. Then we'll see what we have. From what I hear on this site, the Spartan EC2242, especially with a short wheelbase and a heavy diesel in the rear will have some wander. Modifying your driving style helps about as much as anything else. I think we all have to remember, this is 20 year old technology. As the saying goes, "You've come a long way, baby". It's not a bad system. It's just not a 40' Prevost. BTW, I have no vibration, just some 'wandering' which is magnified by stiff cross winds.

This morning my son-in-law (AKA car builder/jet pilot) and I checked the steering and panhard rod. He checked the steering and found almost no play. He said if it was much tighter, it would probably be too sensitive. He then put hands on the panhard rod ends while I pushed the Barth from side to side applying force on the very rear of the coach. He felt no play at all, none! We then removed the spare tire from the rear of the roof.
I also measured the width of the 8R19.5 Bridgestone tires. It was approx 5 1/2", that is the surface that comes in contact with the pavement. I then measured the width of the Goodyear 225 R70 19.5 on the front. It was approx 7 1/4". Does it make any sense to change the rear tires to the wider 225s? Also, I run about 82#PSI in the rear. Rusty, Ed, Gary, do you run the 8Rs and if so, what pressure?

You may not be able to run the wider tires as duals on the rear axle. On the Regal with GM rims, the rim spacing is too close and the sidewalls would rub.

Check your rim spacing. Maybe some of the diesel guys can give some more specifics.

We have the 225s on our Regal, but will check out the Spartan chassis. thanks Steve.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim and Tere:
We then removed the spare tire from the rear of the roof.

That has to help. Being up high and way back is the worst location possible.

I would look at the Bridgestone RD250F. It has pretty stiff sidewalls. I use them up front, and noticed quicker steering response. My next rears will be RD250Fs.

In your situation, stiff sidewalls have to help.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve VW:
You may not be able to run the wider tires as duals on the rear axle. On the Regal with GM rims, the rim spacing is too close and the sidewalls would rub.

I run 225R70 on my rear but I have Aluminum wheels. They are close, a lot closer than the 8R19.5 but will never touch.

Good news. Some folks have been running 245s on the front and I'm sure they won't fit on the dual rears. It appears the 225s would be OK.

I'm considering 245s on the front on my Regal. The Bridgestones run 618 turns per mile and the 245s are like 615, diameters are very close.

The 225s are slightly smaller in diameter, about 645 turns per mile. Apparently not a problem for those running them. (speedo will read a bit higher compared to the Bridgestones when on the rear.)

when I bought my 92 28' breakaway, it had michelans on it. I couldn't drive it any faster than 45 mph. I purchased 6 new bridgestones, 8r19.5 and they set the tire pressure at 100lbs in the back and 105 lbs in the front. First drive got me up to 50 mph. We made a few short trips before we went to the black hills gtg. By the time we were half way, my driving speed had increased 65mph. On the way home, I only stopped for fuel. 19.5 hrs and my comfortable speed was 70. I think you need to get used to driving a vehicle that has the front tires behind you when your in the drivers seat. Many years ago, I drove a 1964 chevy van to haul our band equipment. that was the same way, the front tires were behind you and it seemed to wander until I was used to driving it.
Ken
ken

I used the Bridgestone chart, and run 95 in front and 105 rear. These are pressures for 500 lbs. higher in front and 1,000 in the rear, based on the measured weight.

BTW, I've driven in crosswinds of 35+ mph (Nebraska in August), and I describe the experience as "You have to DRIVE it, but you don't have to FIGHT it."

And a semi going by gives a nudge, nothing more.

After removing the spare tire from the roof and determining that there was no problem with the panhard rod and the steering mechanism, I took it out for another ride. Very nice. One hand. No problem. I may replace the spring bushings on the front but that's about it. This Breakaway keeps getting better and better.