Important Notice for Ford V-10 Owners Class A and Class C

[bgilly]

This was brought to my attention by a friend of mine that owns a Class A Thor Axis. There is a possible issue with the transmission shift cable on the Ford V-10 engines. The problem can affect both Class A and Class C Ford E350 and E450 chassis. The transmission cable passes very close - dangerously close to the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe. The heat from the exhaust can burn the shift cable protective sheath and disable the ability to shift the transmission.

To date there is no Ford recall.

To inspect, crawl under the coach on the driver side behind the front wheel. Go to just under where the drivers seat location is. Follow the exhaust pipe to the exhaust manifold. Right the the transition from the manifold to the pipe you will see the transmission shift cable routed down from the steering column, passing the manifold going to the rear section of the transmission.

My Class C E450 is fine but I did fine my cable had popped out of the clip that holds it away from the exhaust area. I was lucky. One Thor owner was not so lucky. This is not a RV make/brand issue it is a Ford issue.

For details on the Thor owners look here: Ford shift cable failure

Bobby

[Garrette]

Thank you. I will check tomorrow when I change the oil. That is the same side as the filter.


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[benagi]

Thx , I'll check mine also.

[Witch Doctor]

You know it looks like the Engineer dropped the ball, If they turned that clip around it couldn't happen. Lucky you found it. Jeep had a similar problem they ran the starter wires down next to the exhaust pipe. Needless to say the heat melted the coating of the wires and shorted it out. When I had it replaced they found it and moved it away. Makes you just scratch your head. They never had a recall on it.

[Roger2650]

Thanks, I'm checking mine as soon as I get off these forums.

[Garrette]

Originally Posted by Garrette

Thank you. I will check tomorrow when I change the oil. That is the same side as the filter.


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Checked today after oil change. All was connected but I did pull the spring shield down a little. Thank you.


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[sonny bransom]

thanks i'll ck mine,,,,

[RamblerGuy]

I changed the oil in ours and took it to storage the morning before you posted this. I'll check it when I get it out of storage next time. Thanks.

[2013leprechaun319dsf]

My brother has a Georgetown with the V-10 and he got a recall notice from Ford and had it replaced for free.


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[bgilly]

Originally Posted by 2013leprechaun319dsf

My brother has a Georgetown with the V-10 and he got a recall notice from Ford and had it replaced for free.


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That is odd. No recall found within Ford recall notices.

The issue is more problematic with Class A chassis: F-53, F-59, and Stripped E-350 and E-450.

Some owners of Cutaway chassis have had close calls but no one that I am aware of that actually had burning of the sheath or cable.

[HATCHET19]

I own an 04 Georgetown 326 on a Ford F53 chassis. I just crawled under mine to have a look. Mine doesn't have a clip holding the cable in place. Mine has a bracket bolted to the transmission housing with a hole in it. The shift cable is threaded through the hole. It is also located a bit further away from the exhaust. Too dark to get any pics at the moment.

hatchet

[chideock]

Checked my 2008 and it is still OK. This will become a regular check item much like tire air pressure.

Thanks for the heads up.

[norwood12800]

I had a 2012 Georgetown and right after I got it there was a recall for the shift cable.