Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

Slide out noise while driving

November 04, 2010, 06:47:25 pm

While driving the LV slide makes noise MOST of the time and it appears it is coming from the 2 top pins. I had it at MOT and they test drove it and of course no noise. They added some hydraulic fluid and when we drove away it took about 2 hours before the noise came back. Anyone else have this problem, any suggestions? One question, is the hydraulic system/fluid in any way tied into the coach hydraulic sytem or is it own system? Thanks John

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #1 – November 04, 2010, 07:06:42 pm

John,
 
Is your high up slide noise a squeak and only while driving?  I had a problem with squeaks, high up, behind the driver's head...turned out to be loose bolts that hold the blocks the slide pins go into.
 
If your problem is the same I can tell you how to get to the area to resolve the problem.
 
Jim
2002 U320

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #2 – November 04, 2010, 07:26:13 pm

John,
 
I forgot to add....the other slide noise problem I had was missing or worn-out plastic bushings in the receiver blocks for the slide pins. It's a slight challenge (isn't everything on coaches) to remove and replace the bushings.
 
Jim
2002 U320

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #3 – November 04, 2010, 07:42:12 pm

Jim

    Yes the noise is up high, so tell me how to get to them and where did you get the bushings for the blocks. MOT told me they didn't think they had bushings. Can you send me an email how to get to the blocks.  jglavery@juno.com  Thanks John

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #4 – November 04, 2010, 08:07:14 pm

The thing about noise, there are many sources for noise.
On my 01 320, the slide noise was solved with info from Mike @ MOT, told me to get the 4 new bushings, (From FoT parts dept.) two on bottom and two for the top, after removing the old bushings, take two flat washers per hole, crazy glue them to the end of bushing, when dry, insert in hole using white silicone sealer. the reason for the two flat washers is to make the fit a little snugger, worked for me.
Simple, don't make it hard.
Dave

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #5 – November 04, 2010, 09:05:01 pm

John,
 
Presuming your slide is properly centered in the coach wall opening outside... to access the upper slide pin blocks, (coach leveled with the slide in) remove the Velcro held back wall panel inside the slide's fore or aft upper cabinets.  A 90 degree bent pointed hook at the edges works well to get the panel removal started. Bolts hold the aluminum receiver blocks to steel brackets...mine were loose enough to squeak while driving. If you remove the block, don't lose the cylindrical magnet that goes in a side channel. Reassemble by centering the block on the pin and tighten the bolts to have a 1/8" gap from the block to the electronic sensor - it tells the system your slide pins are seated.
 
When I looked for bushings in the outside slide pin receiver holes... I had NONE anywhere in my 2002.  I understand some years may not have any. Early on in my quest I thought that may have been my source of squeaking.  You probably will have to move the slide awning out of the way to get to the slide's roof top holes.  I bought the bushings from the factory (< $10 each) and did use some washers below the bushings to increase the tightness of the fit of the pin when seated - not sure they did any good though.  The real source of noise for me was the loose bolts holding the receiver blocks - inside the slide.
 
Isn't coach ownership fun! My wife thinks it keeps me out of the bars.
 
Jim
2002 U320

Quote Selected

Slide pin rattling

Reply #6 – November 23, 2010, 11:43:29 am

Well, I have been to HWH two times and to Nac two times and no one could stop the pins from backing out a bit with a small pressure drop.  I replaced both the solenoids but they would still back out. We looked for leaks but finally when I was at MOT the engineer at HWH asked me to bring him the coach to fix. I did arriving monday at 7 am in 19 degree weather.  Love the cold weather ability of our FTs.  The answer after gauging the blocks and seeing the drop in pressure was suppose to be an internal seal. Well the offending top blocks bench tested fine. So we had a pressure drop and no reason for it. About 3:30 the engineer called Stacy back again and said on FT and Newells there is over 900 inches of line and the two inch throw of the slide mechanism is not enough to work the air out. So we bled the top blocks and not all seems to be holding. Been on the road since 4 am, got to love the Xtreme headlights, running in front of one big winter storm and just behind one over PA and WV now. Hope this is the issue and we are fixed up on the slide now.

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #7 – November 23, 2010, 06:36:17 pm

Well, it lasted 12 hours and the noise is back again. I have replaced the bushings and have put in the washers as well. I guess I will bleed them again when I get home.  I have tighten all bolts too already.  I guess I will call HWH next week and talk to them again.

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #8 – November 23, 2010, 08:49:26 pm

The more  I think on it the more I think it is still air in the lines.  It came back after I leaned the coach over a bit to get around large dip in the rest stop. 

Talk with MOT again. It is an issue, you need to replace the bushings and then you can bleed the air and also replace both selenoids. That should stop it but time will tell.

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #9 – November 23, 2010, 10:16:40 pm

Having read about some of the problems that go with having a slide does anyone know of the maintenance or pre-maintenance that should be preformed to avoid most problems. Such as lubing the pins, how to install the grommets/washers, how to get to pins etc.
I love our slide but at the same time I wonder if it is really worth having.

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #10 – November 24, 2010, 06:41:02 am

For what one has to pay for the privilege of owning a Foretravel, the owners manual should contain detailed instructions for the use & maintenance of these complicated slide rooms.  Maybe even HWH should help in the writing of the manual section using detailed drawings from the Foretravel design team...IMHO

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #11 – November 24, 2010, 06:43:20 am

I think my next coach will not have a slide. Not that I do not lime them but it is another thing to go wrong at times.

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #12 – November 24, 2010, 08:42:29 am

I'll flip you my '95 straight up... No slide, no retarder, no problem...
 

---

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #13 – November 25, 2010, 10:51:07 am

Dave, nice idea but i was thinking of a new 38 foot tag axle phenix with no slide. 

Quote Selected

Re: Slide out noise while driving

Reply #14 – November 25, 2010, 08:40:36 pm

Now that would be sweet! And light (comparatively).

Quote Selected