Results for "brake drag"

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

I'm wondering if my grease choice is wrong for my 2003 Ford F53's front bearing replacement when my neighbor's identical motorhome runs perfectly after his service. The original grease that came out was a dark gray/black color and while there wasn't any catastrophic damage, the races showed enough wear marks that I decided to replace everything while I'm in there.

I've been researching different options and keep seeing conflicting recommendations. Some people swear by standard lithium grease, others recommend full synthetic formulations, and I've even seen mentions of specific brands like Valvoline MaxLife and Timken. I know the F53 chassis carries significantly more weight than a typical pickup truck, so I want to make sure I'm using something that can handle the load.

I have the torque procedure down (30 ft-lbs initial, back off, then final setting at 17 in-lbs), but I want to make sure I'm pairing that proper installation with the right grease. What specific grease products work best for the F53 front wheel bearings, and are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of when selecting a replacement grease? …more

Nobody told me what steering play should feel like on a 2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 with 11k miles, and I'm worried these issues aren't normal. The coach has Liquid Springs and a Safe T Plus steering stabilizer that were professionally installed right after delivery, so I expected the steering to be really tight.

However, the owner mentioned there's still noticeable steering wheel play, and when I looked at the tires, the outer edge of the right front is significantly worn while the left front looks perfectly even. For such low mileage, this seems concerning to me. The owner says he gets annual alignments done professionally, so if it's not alignment causing this, what else could it be?

I'm worried there might be something seriously wrong with the chassis or steering components that could be dangerous or expensive to fix. Am I being overly cautious, or are these red flags I should walk away from? I really don't want to buy someone else's problem, especially when it comes to steering safety. …more

Replaced the wheel alignment on my 2018 Class A motorhome and now the steering wheel is sitting crooked — should I fix it myself or go back? I have an RV with an F53 chassis, and after getting an alignment, my steering wheel sits crooked when I'm driving straight - it's off by what looks like 30-45 degrees to the right. The RV tracks straight down the road just fine, but having to hold the wheel at an angle is driving me absolutely crazy on long trips.

I know this chassis uses an older steering system similar to what was used in the 1920s, and from what I understand, the drag link isn't adjustable. I've already installed a big steering stabilizer, but I'm concerned about how this offset might affect the steering box's performance. The steering shop seems busy, and I'm worried they'll just brush me off or charge me again. Is there a good way to center the steering wheel without major mechanical intervention? I really need to get this sorted out before our next big trip - any advice would be hugely appreciated! …more

After replacing the belt tensioner, cleaning the pulleys, and checking all the belts — my 2019 27' NeXus Viper on Ford E450 V10 chassis still squeals from the front driver side at highway speeds. The noise occurs at highway speeds after approximately 5 miles of driving and disappears when slowing down. I've already replaced the serpentine belt and performed an engine-off test in neutral, which confirmed the noise persists independently of engine components.

I want a systematic diagnostic approach to determine whether this is brake caliper drag or wheel bearing failure. What specific tests should I perform to differentiate between these potential causes? I aim to avoid unnecessary repairs and focus my troubleshooting on the most likely culprits based on these symptoms. …more

Between leaving my campsite last night and starting up this morning, my Ford E-450 Class C developed this awful front-end squeaking that definitely wasn't there before. My 2004 E-450 Class C with 54k miles has developed a squeak coming from the front end, and I'm not sure how to figure out what's causing it.

The squeak seems to happen at different times - sometimes when I'm braking, other times when going over bumps or rough roads. I've heard it could be anything from brake issues to suspension problems, but I honestly don't know how to tell the difference or what to check first.

Could someone help me understand how to properly diagnose where this front squeak is coming from? I'd really appreciate any step-by-step guidance on what to look for and how to identify whether it's a brake problem versus suspension issue. …more

Called a tow truck after that torrential rain last weekend left my Forest River Georgetown GT3's emergency brake on the left wheel completely stuck and won't disengage. I'm looking for advice on diagnosing and resolving this specific brake problem. Has anyone dealt with a similar emergency brake malfunction on this model? …more

I'm planning my F53 motorhome maintenance when it started making clunking sounds turning yesterday, and crawling underneath revealed my drag link from steering box to left knuckle completely failed. Classic!

I've been hunting for parts and of course the 1999-2008 drag links seem to have vanished into thin air on sites like RockAuto. But lo and behold, I found a 2009 Motorcraft MDOE35 drag link available. My optimistic side is thinking "close enough, right?" but my wallet (and my safety) are wondering if I'm being too hopeful.

Will this 2009 part actually work on my 1999 F53, or am I setting myself up for another one of those "seemed like a good idea at the time" RV moments? Any wisdom on where to actually find the right part for us pre-2009 folks? …more

During my morning walkaround I'm trying to decide between tackling this F53 differential pinion seal leak myself or paying a shop $800+ for these oil puddles. Just discovered my 2021 F53 chassis is marking its territory under the rear diff, and I'm trying to figure out my next steps.

Should this kind of pinion seal failure be covered under warranty on a relatively new chassis? And what are the critical things I need to know about the repair process - I've heard horror stories about techs messing up the pinion preload and creating bigger problems. Also, how worried should I be about driving it to get it fixed? The oil level situation has me a bit paranoid about doing any damage. …more