when traveling trough neighborhood streets at low speeds there are loud noises coming from the rear axel.
they seem to disappear at high speeds and then back again when we left the freeway and headed home.
this is a u320 tag axel.
does anyone had this problem .
how did you fix it.
was going to post a little video but was not able to load it.
Does the sound change with:
steady throttle going to
accelerating going to
coasting
I.E. does throttle position make a change in the sound?
Upload your video to Google Photos or other online photo storage and then send us the link to the forum. We can then see and hear the video.
I would find out the problem before driving it much. Could be a tag axle bearing, or lots of other items.
Pierce
You had some good advice over on FB, someone needs to go under and look for something loose. I agree with Chris sounds like shock bolts need some attention.
Sorry, many of us are not on Facebook!
I will only be able to see the coach tomorrow and I am trying to pick as many brains as possible.
out of so many Wonderful people out there someone had to have this problem.
It's not Facebook. Anyone can open the video by clicking on the link.
Pierce
can you guys see the link for the video
Shared album - Daniel Cifor - Google Photos (https://photos.app.goo.gl/eyaYTwrABQg4GfAB8)
It's not Facebook. Anyone can open the video by clicking on the link. If you have the video or photos on your computer or phone, you can upload to Google Photos. Primer here: Back up photos & videos - Computer - Google Photos Help (https://support.google.com/photos/answer/6193313?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop)
Another option and just as fast would be to upload the video to YouTube and then just send the link to the video.
Pierce
Yes
That is some strange sounds for sure. Someone needs to do some crawling around under the coach for sure to see what is amiss.
Mike
Dan not sure this will help, but we have a 38ft U-320 tag and have no noise like that. I agree, check shock mounting bolts and surrounding area for anything loose.
Yup, check shock and other suspension components. Does not sound like a rear axle issue.
I had a noise that sounds like that when I had a broken shock in my Dynasty.
Probably not applying, but there was a time when Foretavel used less quiet rear axles on a few coaches.
Would guess shock bushing also. If it was a drag link wouldnt sound bouncy. Is that a lifting tag? Lift and shake by hand? Sounding metal to metal may have rust tracing present to help isolate
Scott
Working Safely around your Foretravel (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10632.0)
Probably not related, but since you've mentioned the coach won't auto-level Slide Operation (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=42935.0) have you verified that it actually goes to ride height in Travel mode?
Might check U joints .
Yes it goes into Travel mode.
when the engine is on also Auto Levels.
I can also raise the coach(that's how my mechanic noticed that the Tag Air bags were deteriorating)
Today i went and looked at the coach again and drove it and one of my Mechanic buddies was with me.
Th noise comes from the driver side shower area but makes it sound like all over that tile floor.
When i looked underneath everything looks tight.
the shocks are unmovable when grabbed and shaken.
the u bolts that hold the axle are tight no movement wear there
Has anyone changed Bushing in the rear axle.
Spoke with a friend(owns a trucking company) and recommended polyurethane bushings for better ride and longer lasting.Has anyone done this.
As far as Bulkhead.
when i looked under the coach the corner metal that holds the bulkhead on the pavement end looks good and solid no separation, all bolts are there there is no Noticeable drop between the Fender and the Cargo door.
what is interesting is that the tires were pretty low inflated and that would dampen that noise as well(am i correct?)
Dani,fill out the signature section so we know exactly what coach you have,what year and engine,sounds like the bearing in the
transmission where the driveshaft connects may be loose,you can check this with a prybar,if you search the forum for transmission vibration you will find more info.
If you are talking about the trailing arm bushings and pan hard bar bushings then Yes
Mike
The noise happens at low speeds,
not sure if it there when traveling at high interstate speeds, i cant say its not there because i was driving the coach.
when the owner was driving the coach and decided to listen see what it was like in the rear of the coach and that is when i noticed and recorded the noise,rattle and all that good stuff on stop and go Neighborhood streets.
Next question,where is the coach,maybe one of us is near to check it out?
John the Coach is in Sacramento California.
I am looking to buy it.
the coach has been idle for the last 3 years .
I own a Country coach and mine does not make that kind of noise when driving low speed trough the neighborhood.
There is a lot of open space between the bathroom floor and the underside of the coach. Might be worthwhile looking in the storage bays to see if there is anything loose that is banging around.
The noise reminds me of what it used to sound like back in the day when your car had a broken tail pipe or muffler hanger.
Brett is correct in my opinion. It not the third member and doesn't sound like a u-joint or bearing. Sounds like a shock mount or a suspension bushing to me. Best to get a good mechanic to look it over before you purchase. May not be a costly repair but best to know before it's yours.
Is it possible that the air pressure is not correct for the tag axle air bags? Pretty sure they require air pressure to keep them pushed down. When you raise the tag, push the "raise tag" switch on the console where the retarder lever is. See if they raise up, then push switch again to see if they lower.
I would ask the owner to ID the problem, then either fix it ,or reduce the sales price.
The coach will be hard to sell for top dollar with that Unidentifiable noise.
Had the seem problem a few years back. After a misdiagnosed expensive repair while 2000 miles away from home, Keith R at MOT discovered it was a combination of a bad shock on the tag and worn brake caliper pin. Sound was nearly identical as yours.
I actually raised the tag and left it raised to see if that noise would change when driving.
the problem is that everytime you get past 10mo per hours the tag drops down by itself.
it did it at every stop.
I would her it dump air on and off when stopping.
5MPR is the safety limit when driving with the tag raised
Travel mode only indicates 80+ lbs of air. It could still not be at ride height. However, I think you would notice it on the wheel wells first.
+1
One should visually verify that the coach is at ride height on all 4 corners.
I have not watched video but pretty certain it will be a slightly loose upper shock absorber mounting bolt, that is why it resomates thru the frame. The lower ones would not transmit the same.
Put a socket on it to test.
JohnH
We have an inexpensive wired camera that we have used to find things under the coach while driving. Temp mount with wire ties and learn what moves around.
Update I took the coach to a local shop and they took off one of the torsion arms and the rubber is shot.
ordered new bushings they will have them here in few days and hopefully that this will improve the noise.
the mechanic said that the lower axel mount was also touching metal on metal I will post more pictures as we go trough it.
If the 2003's are like the 96's hope you get the correct parts from Foretravel,replaced all mine a few years ago,took a couple of weeks.