WAdolph92 Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Hi and thanks for reading! My 92 Dolphin seems to lean to the left. I don’t have proof, but I don’t remember it leaning this much prior to my first weekend trip last week! All the tanks have been drained and dumped, so extra weight from water or grey/black tanks can’t be the issue. Questions: 1) What questions do I need to ask to educate myself on my rig in terms of suspension, axles, etc. I’m seeing a lot of talk on this forum about the recalled 5 lugs. I need some intro basic knowledge. I don’t know what to look for. 2) Brings me to 2nd question: The recalls wouldn’t be open anymore, so how do I find whether there were any recalls that are now closed? 3) 1st trip: there’s a lot of sway when driving. I assumed this is normal considering age. Also, steering seems to be very loose. I can turn the wheel between 10:00 and 2:00 with little action, with the need to move it back and forth in that range to keep her going straight. I feel like I’m driving in a cartoon. What is acceptable and what could mean potentially unsafe, or repairs that need to be made? 4) What type of place should I take her to have this stuff checked out by someone who actually has some experience with Toyotas? I live in the Seattle area. thanks! 🙏 Julie in WA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 You probably have air bags in the back for added support. If one has leaked it will make the camper lean to that side. Do you know where they are. Have you ever added air? Valves are usually near the drivers side rear wheel or inside wheel well. Look just like a tire fill valve. Your camper came with a correct axle. Toyota upgraded the axles in 1986 so only older have the dangerous one. Sway problem might be sway bar bushings are bad front or back. You need to have the steering checked out for sure. Maybe someone here knows a mechanic near you but if not your going to have to just start calling around. Look at yelp and google reviews. Find someone who at least seems to listen to you. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAdolph92 Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 Thank you Linda. Always very helpful! I’ve never added air nor knew about the air valves. I will look. Any photos so I know what I’m looking for? I’ll look around for a shop. Maybe a mechanic specializing in RV’s or large trucks is what I assume I would want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Just look under the rear of your camper near the axle. Air bags look like a double donut or cone shaped rubber thing installed between the leaf spring and the frame above it. If you seen them you know there are valves somewhere. I don't have a Dolphin but maybe someone here will tell you exactly where they are. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 I think on a Dolphin you'll be looking for fill valves on the drivers side like these. They were standard issue in Dolphins in 1992. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAdolph92 Posted June 2, 2020 Author Share Posted June 2, 2020 Thanks. I did recognize those valves but didn’t know what they were for. I had a few things checked out today by my regular mechanic and he said that one of the fill valves was leaking so they replaced it. When I went to pick it up, the rig was leaning to the left again, although not as bad as before. Guessing the air bag has a leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 6 hours ago, WAdolph92 said: Guessing the air bag has a leak. That's possible or it could be the line or fittings between the fill valve and the air spring. Some soapy water will reveal the truth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ctgriffi Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 (edited) 13 hours ago, WAdolph92 said: Thanks. I did recognize those valves but didn’t know what they were for. I had a few things checked out today by my regular mechanic and he said that one of the fill valves was leaking so they replaced it. When I went to pick it up, the rig was leaning to the left again, although not as bad as before. Guessing the air bag has a leak. Put a tire gauge on each valve and you’ll see quickly if either has a leak (they should roughly match if they were both pressurized the same by the shop). Damaged or weak torsion bars can also cause a lean in the front end; sometimes they can be adjusted, sometimes need replaced. Edited June 2, 2020 by Ctgriffi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAdolph92 Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 Thanks everyone who responded. The problem seemed to be in the fittings. My mechanic replaced them. I notice there still seems to be some leakage but very little—not like before. He pressurized to 50 and I’ll check in a few more day to see how much leaked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 50 is kind of low. I think most people go with 60 and higher. I do 60 and mine is a tiny sunrader. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAdolph92 Posted June 6, 2020 Author Share Posted June 6, 2020 Thanks Linda. I’ll pump it more after I test to see how far it drops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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