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Topic: Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit? (Read 646 times) previous topic - next topic

Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit?

Never having had a slide, it surely is something I'll never again be without ....BUT ... ...... .....  near as we can tell the clackity clackity ( similar to a wild  castinet player ) clack is emanating from somewhere in the slide unit.  Tried spraying some foam "Slide-Out " stuff along the sides while 'in' and some outside too and off we went today ONLY to have it start up immediatly with abandon.  Even the turned up radio didn't drown out the noise. Any thoughts as to how to possibly make our ride more enjoyable ?? 
Fred B
2000 U320 36'

Re: Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit?

Reply #1 –
Sounds to me like you need to replace the 4 anchor lock pin rubber bushings that are in the bottom of the in holes.  Two on bottom and two on top.  I had a similar issue until I replaced the rubber stoppers.  Not a big job, just do it. Quiet follows.
FWIW
Dave M

Re: Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit?

Reply #2 –
FOT greased our HWH scissor jacks and our slide quieted down.
Bill & Deanne Brown
'03 U-320 Previous Owner in Houston

Re: Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit?

Reply #3 –
His 2000 does not use the same slide setup as the 2003 unit, the 2000 & 2001 units used the 4 locking pins.

Re: Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit?

Reply #4 –
David M, I have the same problem with noise from the slide on occasion. Did you order the rubber gaskets from FT and install them yourself? Got some directions on install I could use?
Thanks, Jon
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809

Re: Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit?

Reply #5 –
John, Yes the old rubber stoppers were easy to dig out, was told to glue 2 flat washers to the bottom end of new bushing, then use a little RTV, just enough to hold them in as one day you might want to change again, with massive amount of RTV you might have to dig awhile.  The two on bottom are easy, I did them first, it made a huge improvement.
I used Crazy glue to attach the washers to the bottom end of bushing but RTV to hold assy in the hole.  Purchased from MOT, but FOT is good too.
Easy job
Dave M

Re: Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit?

Reply #6 –
To further describe the locking pin sockets, there are two on top and two on the bottom of the slide, very visible when the slide is OUT, When the slide is in, the are NOT visible as they are in position for the hydraulic pins to LOCK  the room IN.
Just look under the slide when extended, they are there, 2 bottom, 2 top.
Dave M

Re: Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit?

Reply #7 –
Hello Fred,
I have been dealing with the same problem on my 2001 U320, since purchase 10 months ago .  The past owner noted the problem and had tried to deal with it out in Washington State to no avail.  Upon purchase, I drove it down to the Foretravel Service Center in Eugene, Oregon, called Oregon Motorcoach Center and this Clickity-Clack issue was one of several on my list to "fix".  (My noise was coming from the upper slide, so they changed the 2 upper bushings with some A.C. rubber...?)  After they had the coach for 7 weeks and my suggestion had been made to call Foretravel and get what info/parts were needed,  they fabricated material.... sigh.
The 'fix' did not work.  2 days later on slightly twisting roads heading to Florida from Oregon, the noise came back.  ( there was a 50/50 on success with work requested and completed satisfactorily by them at this point, so I decided to drive on to FOT in Nacogdoches.)  I felt that certainly, the team that built it would know how to quiet this annoyance.

FOT did much for me in Sept. 12 upon arrival and this Slide " Clickity-clack " was one of the issues.  Their effort failed an I drove to Florida and turned right around and brought it back to Foretravel...  The noise was too much to take.

They went at it again sometime before my return to them in Dec. 12 and said all is good.  I left in Jan. 12 and upon getting to Bumpity-bump Concrete Interstate in Baton Rouge, La. the noise came back.  On my coach is in the upper area of the slide and from what I can see, can only be from one of the locking pins.
I took photos of the Locking Pin assemblies from inside the coach as best i could and to 'my eye' noted in normal light, and also in the 'flash' reflection on the pins themselves, that "Maybe" these locking pin assemblies are able to be aligned,  using what apears to be an allen set screw viewable in photos attached, or maybe the assembly need to be shimmed in some other way.

 FOT replaced 'All 4 Bushings'.  A test ride before, one guy driving and one guy with an automotive stethescope might have put $50 on the bill, but I think might have solved the location/problem.  To me the sound removes all pleasure of driving this rig on a trip so I hope there is some resolution prior to my returning my rig and you find your solution. 
Truly love my 2001, U320 with the exception of this noise that has been problematic for nearly a year and worked on by various shops 3-4 times that I know of.  Road mileage so far is limited to travel from purchase in Washington State and where I sit now in N. Florida.

Note:  I took it out last month for a romp around the country side for a couple of hours and the 'sound' was gone......until nearly home again.. ??

Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136

Re: Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit?

Reply #8 –
Sad  news, maybe why I was told to add the 2 washers in the cup then insert the new bushing, the feller that told me abut the washer spacers, like most gents in Nac, worked for FOT at one time and knew the fix.  Either way, my noise went away, Amen PTL etc.
Dave M
 

Re: Remedies for salon slide squeaks in our first ever slide unit?

Reply #9 –
Hi Dave,  While I was there in FOT, I got to meet a FT gent that 'also' had noise up there in his slide(same vintage coach).  His Forward, slide 'socket' was depressed/broken/misaligned by 1/8" by my observation.  His looked 'pushed down in and tilted radically... broken weld?'.

I'd like to believe this 'issue' is only occurring on a very few of coaches of my year and build...2001 but my gut tells me otherwise.  Any other info out there?
Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136