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Blown Suspension O-rings

Yahoo Message Number: 34851
Hello, I'm new to the group. We have a 2004 CC Alure 33 ft Seaside w/Cummins 400 hp. We've been RV'ing for 25 years starting with a Class C we had for 11 years. Our last coach was a Overland diesel pusher which we had for 13 years. Yes, I know it was an antique when we sold it in June of 2006 and bought the CC, but I try to take very good care of my vehicles.

My good intentions went wrong soon after we got the CC. Seeing grease nipples on the Holland-Neway front IFS, I assumed they were meant to be greased, but not so. Greasing them caused an aneurysm of the O- rings that hold grease in and contaminants out of the permanently sealed bearings in the control arms.
I wonder if any one else has had this misfortune and if so, what did you decide to do about it? I would like to replace them which would be about four hours labor, but I can't find a shop on the East side of the country that has any experience working on the Holland-Neway suspension. So, I've decided to keep greasing them and hope the new grease keeps water and contaminants out.

George Harper
Rome, GA

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34854
Contact Dave Rutherford at CC his team made the mistake you made on an early unit with IFS. He can give you his cure. Or you can call Chris Patterson at Holland 231-777-4387.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34861
George,

Your experience is unfortunate as it is not well publicized that the Holland IFS (at least for my 2004 Intrigue) has 4 grease zirk fittings that are not designed to be greased. The Holland manual points this out as only to be greased if the unit has to be completely disasembled and reassembled. Unfortunately, they are zirks just like any other and the typical grease jokey knows only to grease what they see. You'd think that Holland would have nticipated this and put in plugs instead of zirks.

Jim Grossen

2004 Intrigue Ovation 11719

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34882
Hi Folks,

It is important to know some specifications about your IFS.
Our 2000 32' Allure used a Neway Anchorlok model IFS 114-CC having a 14,000lb capacity. The serial no. is DC IFS 0001251 with a parts list no. 90546687.

There appears to be no O-rings.

Every 3000-5000 miles all 16 front, 4 rear and 3 drive line are greased with NAPA crimson.

Fred Kovol

2000 Allure 30593

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34970
Back to the basics of the original post, how do I tell if I have suspension 0-rings and how do I tell if the suspension o-rings have been "blown"?
I have a 2002 Intrigue 36-foot and how do I tell if I have one of the IFS units that has some zerk fittings that should NOT be greased??? I recently had a mechanic take me under the coach and together we greased every zerk we could find on the front and rear suspension plus the drive line. If we "blew" an o-ring, what should I be looking for??
So far on my unit I have found 14 fittings on the front suspension (5 outboard on each side and 1 inboard on each side), 2 on the rear axle (1 on each side), 4 total on the slack adjusters (1 each left and right adjuster and 1 each left and right adjuster slide), and 5 total on the drive line (2 on each U-joint and 1 on the slip joint).

Thanks, Steve #11382

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34976

There should be a booklet or manual with your literature supplied by CC - it explains everything. If you don't have it you should be able to download a copy from the manufacturer's web site.
I found the following: http://www.thehollandgroupinc.com/Portal/Literature/Suspensions/default.htm#IFS
Go to the last suspension shown, IFS, and download both the manual and the bulletin about the O rings and lubrication.
If your coach doesn't have the Holland Neway IFS suspension similar downloads are probably available from that manufacturer.

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 34986
Take a look in the files section. You will find many of the same tech data there.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

Quote from: Robert Handren\[br\
]
There should be a booklet or manual with your literature supplied
by CC - it explains everything. If you don't have it you should be
able to download a copy from the manufacturer's web site.

Quote
>

I found the following:
http://www.thehollandgroupinc.com/Portal/Literature/Suspensions/defaul t.htm#IFS

Quote
>

Go to the last suspension shown, IFS, and download both the manual
and the bulletin about the O rings and lubrication.

Quote
>

If your coach doesn't have the Holland Neway IFS suspension similar
downloads are probably available from that manufacturer.

Quote
>

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35088
Steve

I'm the guy who started this thread. I blew mine greasing the chassis myself. Yes, I had read every page of the CC manual and the Holland Manual and was aware of the issue. However, after some time passed, I undertook the grease job and remembered the affected zerks wrong. I skipped some that are supposed to be greased and greased the ones that aren't.
If you found that you have a Holland-Neway suspension after looking at the manual as Bob suggested, here's what I observed when I blew mine: First, if you see any emitted grease around the bearings where the upper and lower control arms attach to the knuckle post assembly, you know you have blown the O-ring (or O-rings). If you attempted to grease them, no grease would come out unless you blew them. They are supposed to be permanently sealed. In my case I can see a small section of the O-ring protruding out of the bearing. Normally you can't see the O-ring. If you reach up and touch it, it feels like hard rubber, and won't go back in if you try to push it back in.
Holland has advised me that now that I have blown the O-ring, I will have to grease the bearing regularly. They also think that eventually the O-ring will degrade and come completely out. Their recommendation is to replace them, but I can't find a shop that I feel is competent to do it. A couple of good RV techs have advised me that it will take a very long time for any harm to come to the bearings if I continue to grease them.
If anyone knows a shop in the Southeast that is experienced in working on suspensions on motorhomes, I would appreciate knowing about it.

George Harper
2004 Allure
31093

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35099
I understand there is a competent facility in central FL utilizing some people who used to be with CC. However, the name escapes me at the moment. I'm sure someone on this site can help you out with the name.



ddtuttle

(aka Billy Byte, trusty hound)
2000 Allure #30443

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35101

It's probably JoSams in Orlando. I got this information of the web:
Josam Truck Frame & Alignment 8849 Exchange Dr, Orlando, FL (407) 438-7020
They did a 4 wheel alignment on our coach paid for by CC and we have been referred to them several times by CC and other RV techs in the area.

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35103

There is apparently also a Josams facility in Jacksonville, FL located in north Florida (the residents jokingly refer to themselves as living in South Georgia) if that is closer than Orlando.
Apparently other big rig SOB maunfacturers use and refer customers to Josams.

They did a good job for us and they can weight you coach and give you weights for each location. Except foe one wheel they almost matched exactly the factory weights in my CC docs.

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35108
George,

Thanks for the great reply. I'm away from the motorhome right now traveling in Scotland but when we return I will check the brand of suspension and then check for the protruding o-ring as you described. Hopefully I didn't do any damage but at least now I am aware of what the situation is.
Thanks again, Steve
2002 Intrigue #11382

Re: Blown Suspension O-rings

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35113
Joesam, Orlando, Fl. 407-438-7020. Barry Hampton service manager. Truck frame and alignment specialist worldwide.
Can only say "outstanding professionalism and work quality".

Joe 2006 Intrigue 12054