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Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: dutchgsd on April 05, 2015, 01:28:34 am

Title: A New Noise From Underneath
Post by: dutchgsd on April 05, 2015, 01:28:34 am
Yahoo Message Number: 100062 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/100062)
Hi All,

The coach developed a new noise today underneath.  Kind of a clunk/rub sound after applying or letting off the accelerator.  Only lasts for about a second or two with one exception.  I can find one kind of 'sweet spot' where I can make it happen fairly constant.

Happens at pretty much a wide range of speeds when changing accelerator position.  Sometimes will last for more than a few seconds while decelerating.

U-joint maybe?

I don't think it's related, but my right rear has the red light on and it's about an 1 1/2" low.  Just picked up the valves yesterday to replace them.

2000 Allure 36

Thanks.
Title: Re: A New Noise From Underneath
Post by: Jock Vargo on April 05, 2015, 10:31:27 am
Yahoo Message Number: 100065 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/100065)
You might want to check the sway bar brackets holding the sway bar. I have had to replace mine due to cracks. I would also look at where the bracket at attached to the frame. I had that issue also. Both kind of made the noise you described

Jock Vargo

2005 Inspire
51428.
Title: Re: A New Noise From Underneath
Post by: dutchgsd on April 05, 2015, 10:58:30 am
Yahoo Message Number: 100066 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/100066)
Just adding on....

This diesel pusher is a new thing to me.  Just acquired it after 10 years of pulling a fifth wheel.

After doing some more research last night, I think I understand now how critical ride height is.

From what I have been reading, even being low just a couple of inches like mine, can have a significant enough impact on driveline angles to cause a vibration.
Title: Re: A New Noise From Underneath
Post by: Thomas W Insall Jr on April 05, 2015, 11:46:14 am
Yahoo Message Number: 100067 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/100067)
Just wait to you cross railroad tracks at a crossing.  It will really make you aware!!!.  So get those brackets replaced.  I was lucky, I was 20 miles from the factory in 2005.  So I returned to CC and Larry Sherwood and  Dave Remington had me fixed in 30 minutes.  TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731
Title: Re: A New Noise From Underneath
Post by: Thomas W Insall Jr on April 05, 2015, 11:55:36 am
Yahoo Message Number: 100069 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/100069)
Depending on the coach, number of slides, weight margin, balance left to right and diagonally a 1/4 of an inch can be a big issue.  My 98 Allure with the large DS Kitchen slide could be out of balance by over 1200 lbs left to right.  When the ride height valves were set up properly in the rear and the coach loaded properly the balance difference could be less than 500 lbs in my case.  And that was a big issue back when we were all having tire issues with the 270 R 22.5 tire failures.  After up grading to 275 R 80 and then in 2000 to 12 R with better weight management balance issues were corrected.  With later coaches however you still need to have the height check annually to protect the drive train, steering issues, and reduce wear and abuse to your tires.  TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731
Title: Re: A New Noise From Underneath
Post by: Lonny & Diane Livingston on April 05, 2015, 12:11:19 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 100070 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/100070)
We had a clunk noise when we started, stopped or hit a bump on the highway. It was a front stabilizer bracket that cracked and broke in two.  It's a u-shaped bracket.  If you turn the tire and wheel at an angle you can see it.  We took it to Tampa Spring in Tampa FL and they fabricated 2 new brackets.  Reasonable price for the brackets and labor.  They beefed up the brackets so they won't break again.

Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065
Title: Re: A New Noise From Underneath
Post by: Kevin Waite on April 05, 2015, 01:28:41 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 100072 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/100072)

Randy:

If you find that you need a set of these of bushings & brackets I have them IN STOCK.

Kevin Waite
541-953-6162
Title: Re: A New Noise From Underneath
Post by: Ron Jacobs on April 05, 2015, 03:54:51 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 100073 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/100073)
Shortly after I bought my coach one of my anti sway bar mounting brackets broke. The noise you are describing sounds like the one I had when the bracket broke. Kevin fixed me up with new mounting brackets and bushings. If you have the original end link bushings on your anti sway bar, I suggest you replace them also. Oversized polyurethane bushings will make a BIG improvement in handling. I now keep a spare mounting bracket in my coach. It's an easy 20 minute job to replace if you have a spare.

Good Luck
RJ

2005 Inspire #51264
Title: Re: A New Noise From Underneath
Post by: Mikey Drives on April 05, 2015, 09:06:16 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 100080 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/100080)
Drive line issues are miniscule. The drive line angles are miniature. The  bigger issue is ride quantity. Most coaches are set too low. Causing bottoming  out and bumping issues. There is a an issue with ride height being set too low  and causing an issue. The u joint angles are not an issue.  The ride  height set too low will cause bumpy rides.,

Mikee

the u ljoint
Title: Re: A New Noise From Underneath
Post by: dutchgsd on April 06, 2015, 12:26:00 am
Yahoo Message Number: 100081 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/100081)
Thanks for the replies.  This noise is definitely dynamic/rotational sounding.  But I'm going to check the sway bar brackets just for good measure.
 I suspect this will go away once the ride height valves are replaced and we get the right height.  It never made this noise until the right side went low.
 The shop said whoever put the right rear valve on put it on backwards and had the vertical arm rubbing against the airbag.

Randy

2000 Allure 36