What to do about this clanky Chieftain

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by DAN L

the lanes are not wide enough in washington to get an individual wheel weight.

All the ones I pass (that are still in operation) are wide and flat enough to get all wheels weighed although you might have to get axle weights then one side on each axle and do some subtraction.
Front axle - left or front axle - right
Rear axle - left or rear axle - right

[FDchief]

Originally Posted by Rkh

Ok, here's what I've got on the tire pressure..I have Michelin 245/70/19.5 XRV, (LRF) on the front...XZE (LRH) on the rear..
Front tires have 90lbs cold, rears have 105lbs....
I stopped at Love's Travel Stop and sat on their certified scale for $9.50. There was no way I could weigh each axle end.
The front axle total is 5880 lbs....rear axle total is 11600 lbs....
Using the Michelin pressure chart for these tires, I don't even make the minimums on the charts.....confused....
Before I make any pressure changes I thought I would consult with Michelin and this forum...

I think you have identified one of your problems. Firstly, your rears should not be 105 psi. Probably more like 80 90 psi sounds about right for the front. Maybe there is something I am missing. Recheck your pressures, rears should be equal to or less than your fronts.

[Catcoach]

I know that this is an old post but in the event you are still having problems, I too have a 98 Chieftain, and the door panel sticker recommends 80PSI all the way around. I have experimented some and find that 85 in the reas, and 80 in the fronts is very comfortable and handles great.

[Duner]

I had a 1999 Chieftain 34Y on a Ford chassis. I put Bilsteins on on front and back and It felt like I had twice the travel and I didn't get the jarring ride. I also put Firestone Ride Rite air bags on the rear so coach would be level when I hauled my 4500 lb enclosed trailer w/dune buggy. The only other add-on was a Safe-T-Steer on the front axle. I put 50K miles on that rig before I sold it and was pretty satisified with the ride and handling.

Now that Koni's are available, that's what I would recommend rather than Bilsteins. That's what I have on my current Chieftain on a W22 chassis and they give a more plush ride, but still maintain good handling.

Good luck,
Bill

[ihbond]

Originally Posted by Duner

I had a 1999 Chieftain 34Y on a Ford chassis. I put Bilsteins on on front and back and It felt like I had twice the travel and I didn't get the jarring ride. I also put Firestone Ride Rite air bags on the rear so coach would be level when I hauled my 4500 lb enclosed trailer w/dune buggy. The only other add-on was a Safe-T-Steer on the front axle. I put 50K miles on that rig before I sold it and was pretty satisified with the ride and handling.

Now that Koni's are available, that's what I would recommend rather than Bilsteins. That's what I have on my current Chieftain on a W22 chassis and they give a more plush ride, but still maintain good handling.

Good luck,
Bill

Hey duner what did you think of the firestones ? I have the konis and it helped out the ride tremendously but now want to even out the body on the chasis to help alive some of the body lean when riding and stationary
Any input would be appreciated thanks
Ian

[Rkh]

I started this particular thread and after properly inflating my Michelin tires based on load, my ride improved a lot..Still rough on rough roads, but better...
As far as the Koni shocks, can I install these myself without any special tools? I'm very mechanically inclined and can fix most anything.

[DAN L]

Originally Posted by Rkh

I started this particular thread and after properly inflating my Michelin tires based on load, my ride improved a lot..Still rough on rough roads, but better...
As far as the Koni shocks, can I install these myself without any special tools? I'm very mechanically inclined and can fix most anything.

i have a workhorse and installed my koni shocks myself.
my shock bolts and nuts are 1-1/8". yours may be different.
i used a deep and a regular socket and 2 wrenches to turn them. an impact wrench came in handy.
use the search function on this forum for more info about installing koni shocks.
make sure that you support your moho with jackstands while you are under it.