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Ride Height - Manual Wrong

Yahoo Message Number: 4725
Just a note for those adjusting their ride height, my 02 Allure Dynamax Chassis Owners Manual, page 3.19, says the ride height should be 7.5" from the "top rail". This is wrong, it's the bottom rail per the Neway Maintenance Manual for the AD-200 suspension. I know, you could never get 7.5" from the top rail, but just wanted to point it out...
Tom

02 Allure 30780

Re: Ride Height - Manual Wrong- Alternate procedure

Reply #1
Yahoo Message Number: 4730
I called Country Coach the other day and talked to Kevin Kiscone. He provided me with a different measurement procedure than the book to adjust the ride height on my 2000 Allure. I have a problem with the travel height on the left side. Left side is about 3" lower thatn the right side while in travel height. It is not completely deflated and resting on the stops. Also, the I get the green travel light with no problem. So, to me it sounds like an adjustment is needed and not the replacement of a control valve. Kevin indicated that just a few coaches before my coach was when CC changed the location of the ride height valves and had the air plumbing crossed between sides. My coach should have the two valves in the rear and one centered in the front.

The procedure he described was to measure from the outside edge of the plates at the top and bottom of the airbags. The front should be 9" and the rear should be 10-13/16". Make changes on the slide adjuster 1/4" at a time until dimensions are reached with engine running and vehicle on blocks to elevate coach 8-10".
Anyone ever use this alternate procedure? Sounds reasonable. But I may leave it up to the professionals to do it since they have the right equipment to elevate the coach. While I know I can do the adjustments, I am not too sure about elevating 30,000 lbs of coach 8- 10" and crawling underneath it with the engine running. Any comments or suggestions?

Jim Hughes

Jacksonville, FL
2000 Allure #30511

Re: Ride Height - Manual Wrong- Alternate procedure

Reply #2
Yahoo Message Number: 4731
Hi Jim. Your skills and knowledge are far superior to my own but I would leave it to the pros. As you stated lifting the 30,000lbs is a major undertaking and leaving the engine running while you are crawling and making adjustments underneath is not my idea of enjoyment...I do not think it is worth the effort or risk.
So far I do not seem to be having any problems with the ride height...The coach has been running fine and starting dutifully. Leaving later today to go camping and get the RV unwinterized. Of course, it is pouring now but hopefully will stop later...

These diesels are sure expensive though! I just had the desiccant filter in the air dryer changed...The filter cost $107 but they charged me 2 hours of labor! What a racket. The guy was underneath for a long time as he had trouble removing the old filter. However, the clock keeps running even while they await the delivery of the replacement...I have now changed 6 filters and learned there is a 7th hydraulic filter in the power steering reservoir. Then too there is the transmission but I have not had to do that this year.

Lastly, I just learned that there is an air dryer (refrigerant dryer) in the air conditioning system although that is not considered to be too problematic...

Where it is located do not ask...I guess if the Ac ever needs servicing then I would ask about this air dryer.
If you had my predicament of being the only one who visits his mother would you just take off and leave her??? I am going nuts here! Buying the diesel to just have it sit was a mistake. It is beautiful inside though, handles great, and if we used it I would love it or feel that it was a justifiable expense. We shall travel more this spring/summer/fall and start today. There is no way I want to spend another winter up north! Can I just dump her??? I pay the bills too but that can be handled by mail...

On Tue, 22 Apr 2003 10:28:27 -0000 "Jim Hughes" kc4fws@...> writes:

Re: Ride Height - Manual Wrong- Alternate procedure

Reply #3
Yahoo Message Number: 4734
Are you asking about dumping the CC, or your mother?

Re: Ride Height - Manual Wrong- Alternate procedure

Reply #4
Yahoo Message Number: 4735
Hi Jim,

The Neway Manual also uses the measure the air bag method as an option. It gives the bag dimensions for each suspension. I understand CC telling you to raise and then block it for safety. I just place jack stands under the frame to prevent it from lowering (in case I go the wrong way with the valve). It's really easy. On my Allure, you have to loosen the U-clamp holding the valve and swivel it fore and aft to raise or lower, then tighten it back up and adjust the rod to ride in the middle of the bracket at the notch while at ride height.
You don't have to have the coach running, build up 120 psi of air, just turn on the key and go for it.
Mine was off a little in the front on one side, but it was because the rear on one side was off. I adjusted the rear and that made the front close enough.

Good luck..

Tom 02 Allure 30780

Re: Ride Height - Manual Wrong- Alternate procedure

Reply #5
Yahoo Message Number: 4743
Jim Hughes,

I too had a condition of my coach being low on the left rear. I adjusted the ride height with the coach only on 1 1/2" blocks(that's how I store it). I ran all the air out of the airbags & there was plenty of room. My coach had the plumbing crossed. Once I corrected that I was able to adjust the ride heighth easily. I used the 7 1/2" measurement to the bottom of frame rail on the rear. It has remained level for over a year & a half. Whatever measurement system you use really doesn't matter. What does matter is that you keep the driveline straight & the coach level. I enjoy doing these tasks, if you don't enjoy the java at your local repair facility.

Steve

Intrigue #10673

wrote:

Quote
I called Country Coach the other day and talked to Kevin Kiscone.

He

Quote
provided me with a different measurement procedure than the book to > adjust the ride height on my 2000 Allure. I have a problem with the > travel height on the left side. Left side is about 3" lower thatn > the right side while in travel height. It is not completely

deflated

Quote
and resting on the stops. Also, the I get the green travel light > with no problem. So, to me it sounds like an adjustment is needed > and not the replacement of a control valve. Kevin indicated that > just a few coaches before my coach was when CC changed the location > of the ride height valves and had the air plumbing crossed between > sides. My coach should have the two valves in the rear and one > centered in the front.

The procedure he described was to measure from the outside edge of > the plates at the top and bottom of the airbags. The front should

be

Quote
9" and the rear should be 10-13/16". Make changes on the slide > adjuster 1/4" at a time until dimensions are reached with engine > running and vehicle on blocks to elevate coach 8-10".
> Anyone ever use this alternate procedure? Sounds reasonable. But I > may leave it up to the professionals to do it since they have the > right equipment to elevate the coach. While I know I can do the > adjustments, I am not too sure about elevating 30,000 lbs of coach

8-

Quote
10" and crawling underneath it with the engine running. Any

comments

Re: Ride Height - Manual Wrong- Alternate procedure

Reply #6
Yahoo Message Number: 4748
Sorry...I thought I was posting privately but had a senior moment...Anyone want to comment??? On the diesel group there were recent overtures about quitting high pressure jobs and changing ones lifestyle...Emotional and personal problems such as I am now facing...My apologies for not posting privately as I meant to.

On Wed, 23 Apr 2003 07:47:50 -0700 "buttonwd" buttonwd@...> writes:

Ride Height Adjustments

Reply #7
Yahoo Message Number: 4750
All

I just up loaded a file that lists all the measurements for ride height adjustment of Height Control Valves (HCV). This is an update that I just received from Country Coach service and it is as of 3/27/03. It includes 1998-2004 model years. Hope it of use.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

Re: Ride Height Adjustments

Reply #8
Yahoo Message Number: 4751
Jim,

I can't get it to open, might be a problem on my end, but the other pdf files load OK.
Tom 02 Allure 30780

 

Re: Ride Height Adjustments

Reply #9
Yahoo Message Number: 4754
I checked it and it loads fine on my machine.

Jim Hughes

jacksonville, FL
2000 Allure #30511

Quote from: truk4u2003