Steering noise/thump - concerned

[Jmsx2]

This group is always helpful. On our first trip (Myrtle Beach from Pittsburgh) with our new Georgetown 324tsf we notice a noise thump while turning.

This only happens while moving very slow and turning left. Example maneuvering around gas pumps it will thump and almost feels like the front of the coach shifts or moves.

I looked at the steering components looking for something loose or a wear mark indicating something moving.

Any thoughts would greatly be appreciated. The coach just turned 1000 miles on it.

Thanks

[compman69]

Congrats on your GT 328Tsf. I love mine!
I have read in many of these forums where stuff was left loose at the factory.
Not sure how mechanical but I would find a drive place, run the jacks down and take a look underneath. I recently read where someone was missing bolts on their axle.
this is a red flag safety concern. If you have warranty, call the dealer!

Otherwise, Happy Camping!


PS. Post pictures of your new rig!

[Jmsx2]

Thanks Compman. It was a leftover 2014 with only 400 miles on it. So the full factory warranty does apply.

We we arrived at Myrtle Beach (630 miles) I did look underneath. Nothing obvious showing.

Thanks again.

[tilap]

I had the same problem, the spring leaf on the rear right was broken. The rv was leaning to the right a little and when turning the front tire would hit the fender, actually cracked it. Ford replaced it. Good to go


Denis, Forest river Georgetown XL 377 2015, towing a 2014 Ford Explorer XL

[Jmsx2]

WOW. Broken Leaf Spring. Doesn't appear that I have that problem nor can I find anything obvious.

[tilap]

I could not find anything either, the only clue was when the MH was sitting on its 6 tires on a flat surface looking at it from the front I could see it sitting with a little lean to the right. The Ford mechanic told me that the spring at lost its curve for whatever reason.


Denis, Forest river Georgetown XL 377 2015, towing a 2014 Ford Explorer XL

[abjb]

Have you had your ONE FREE alignment from Forest River?
The alignment shop can check it for you.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by abjb

Have you had your ONE FREE alignment from Forest River?

The alignment shop can check it for you.

No we haven't. Interesting, how do we go about getting a free alignment? We took delivery of our coach on August 1st of this year. It was a leftover 2014.

[abjb]

Originally Posted by abjb

Have you had your ONE FREE alignment from Forest River?
The alignment shop can check it for you.

Originally Posted by Jmsx2

No we haven't. Interesting, how do we go about getting a free alignment? We took delivery of our coach on August 1st of this year. It was a leftover 2014.

Contact your dealer, tell them your having steering problems.
They'll either contact forest river or give you their contact #.
Here's 1 of many alignment threads.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...0-a-85127.html

[abjb]

Here are a couple more interesting threads.

Your 2014 was probably built on a 2013 chassis. Your clunk might be coming from the rear.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tsb-28238.html

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...fix-62663.html

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by abjb

Here are a couple more interesting threads.



Your 2014 was probably built on a 2013 chassis. Your clunk might be coming from the rear.



http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tsb-28238.html



http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...fix-62663.html

Thanks for the threads. I'll check them out. VIN came back as a 2014 Chassis. I feel the clunk in the steering wheel and floor. It also feels like the front of the coach shifts a little. I'll read those threads and check the rear suspension.

I'll take it to a Ford Medium Duty Truck dealer when we get back home. After all it is under warranty.

Thanks again.

[rvpezzano]

Check the bolts on the panard bar.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by rvpezzano

Check the bolts on the panard bar.

I'm mechanically incline and do a lot of my own work. What is the pants bar? I should know this.

Thanks.

[rvpezzano]

The Panard bar is a slightly curved bar above the drag link that goes from one wheel to the other. The Panard bar attaches the frame to the I-Beam, it keeps everything from moving side to side. The attaching bolts are fairly big, so you'll need a breaker bar to check them.
Have Fun

[Vince and Charlette]

Check to see if your coach has had the CHF (Cheap Handling Fix). That's where the one connecting bolt on each end of the front anti-sway bar is moved to the aft hole. (This increases the torque/force required to "twist" the bar.) It gives a slightly more stable ride and reduces sway somewhat. I have a 2015 Georgetown 364TS...same chassis as yours. When the CHF is done, the it raises the end of the sway bar, which causes it to strike the frame in turns. Mine did it when turning right or left. Took it to an authorized FR shop, which works on big rigs. The manager told me of this problem and said he already had to undo the CHF on several Gerogetowns for this very reason. If that's your issue, I recommend a heavy duty Roadmaster anti-sway bar...about $599 from etrailer.com (they'll match anyone else's price). Sway is my #1 issue on the Ford F53 chassis. As far as the coach goes, the 364 is a truly sweet machine! Bought ours in January this year and already have 8,000 miles.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by Vince and Charlette

Check to see if your coach has had the CHF (Cheap Handling Fix). That's where the one connecting bolt on each end of the front anti-sway bar is moved to the aft hole. (This increases the torque/force required to "twist" the bar.) It gives a slightly more stable ride and reduces sway somewhat. I have a 2015 Georgetown 364TS...same chassis as yours. When the CHF is done, the it raises the end of the sway bar, which causes it to strike the frame in turns. Mine did it when turning right or left. Took it to an authorized FR shop, which works on big rigs. The manager told me of this problem and said he already had to undo the CHF on several Gerogetowns for this very reason. If that's your issue, I recommend a heavy duty Roadmaster anti-sway bar...about $599 from etrailer.com (they'll match anyone else's price). Sway is my #1 issue on the Ford F53 chassis. As far as the coach goes, the 364 is a truly sweet machine! Bought ours in January this year and already have 8,000 miles.

Thanks for sharing. Like you I love this coach. Sway is a big concern. Driving from Pittsburgh to Myrtle Beach was challenging a bit. As a volunteer firefighter I was an engineer so I'm use to driving bigger rigs.

This F53 rocked back and forth a lot. I'll crawl underneath it Tomorrow here at the campground and see if I'm able to find what you're referring too.

Thanks so much.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by Vince and Charlette

Check to see if your coach has had the CHF (Cheap Handling Fix). That's where the one connecting bolt on each end of the front anti-sway bar is moved to the aft hole. (This increases the torque/force required to "twist" the bar.) It gives a slightly more stable ride and reduces sway somewhat. I have a 2015 Georgetown 364TS...same chassis as yours. When the CHF is done, the it raises the end of the sway bar, which causes it to strike the frame in turns. Mine did it when turning right or left. Took it to an authorized FR shop, which works on big rigs. The manager told me of this problem and said he already had to undo the CHF on several Gerogetowns for this very reason. If that's your issue, I recommend a heavy duty Roadmaster anti-sway bar...about $599 from etrailer.com (they'll match anyone else's price). Sway is my #1 issue on the Ford F53 chassis. As far as the coach goes, the 364 is a truly sweet machine! Bought ours in January this year and already have 8,000 miles.

Well. I check it out & the sway bar bolts (links) are connected to th most forward (outer) position. It was a good exercise in learning more about my F53 Chassis.

We'll be breaking down camp Saturday morning. I'll have my wife turn the wheel left & right (yes, in park with the e-brake on) looking for anything obvious.

Thanks again.

[miked11272]

I was getting a thump for years when I turned mostly right. Checked all the suspension and could not find anything wrong. So I removed all the draws under the sink, there was a black mark along the back wall where the faucet weight hits the wall when I turn. I moved the weight and no more thumping sound.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by miked11272

I was getting a thump for years when I turned mostly right. Checked all the suspension and could not find anything wrong. So I removed all the draws under the sink, there was a black mark along the back wall where the faucet weight hits the wall when I turn. I moved the weight and no more thumping sound.

Mine definitely in the suspension or steering. I can feel it in the front floor boards and steering wheel. I looked underneath and nothing is obvious nor do I see any wear marks to indicate something loose.

Thanks for the insight.

[miked11272]

I thought the same thing it felt like it was coming from under the passages floor. But the sound was traveling that is why it took about four years to find.