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Velvet Ride broken front suspension bolt

I'm in search of some experience with broken suspension bolts with the Velvet Ride. Coach is a 92 U240. After our most recent trip of around 2000 miles, I was checking over the coach and noticed a missing bolt on the front right side suspension where the steer axle and suspension meet. Upon further inspection, I can see that the forward facing bolt adjacent the missing bolt was clearly replaced previously as it's shorter than all the other remaining bolts at it is a fine thread bolt where all of the others are coarse thread. Also, the flat washer for that bolt does not match all of the other flat washers. As you can see in the pictures, the mounting plate is bent but with it being rusty, there is no sign that it is newly bent. I believe that's from a previous bolt failure. It appears this replacement bolt has been on the coach for a good number of years as it is as rusty as all the others. It wasn't until close inspection that I noticed it was not original. I have replaced the missing bolt with a new grade eight 3/4" bolt and the plate has pulled back down. You can see a slight wave to the plate but it appears to be in a correct position.

So my question centers around, have others experienced this type of failure and what was successfully done to mitigate the issue? Is there any known causes (design issues or just regular wear and tear)?

Thank you for all helpful advice 😊

Michael
Michael & Ginny
Frankfort, KY
1992 U240 GV Build #4116
2007 Mini Cooper

Re: Velvet Ride broken front suspension bolt

Reply #1 –
Not sure I have identified the "forward facing bolt" you are referring to. If part of the torsilastic suspension, what number is it on the parts diagram below?

No, have never seen that failure.  Suspect someone not familiar with the Torsilastic suspension worked on it.

The missing bolt, washer and nut are numbers 17, 21 and 24 on the diagram below


.750-16 UNF X 3.50 LG Hex bolt

.750 washer hardened

.750- 16 UNF Hex nut
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Velvet Ride broken front suspension bolt

Reply #2 –
Yes, you have the correct bolt, washer, nut grouping. The plate welded to that riser bolts the Rockwell steer axle to the suspension. It's that connection that has the failed bolt. It's the front bolts (toward the front of the coach) that failed. The adjacent front bolt is the one that clearly is a replacement. Not that it matters but it's the passenger side 😊

Hopefully, someone on the forum has seen this before and can give me something to look for that could cause it. My concern is only slightly elevated due to the obvious evidence that something has happened on that side before in this coach's history.
Michael & Ginny
Frankfort, KY
1992 U240 GV Build #4116
2007 Mini Cooper

Re: Velvet Ride broken front suspension bolt

Reply #3 –
Suspect someone doing a front end alignment loosened those bolts to add/change a CASTER SHIM.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Velvet Ride broken front suspension bolt

Reply #4 –
If you look real close at the middle pic. you can see the shim that Brett is talking about. On a side note that shim sure looks pretty thick compared to most that I have seen/used. (could just be the pic. or you could need a thicker shim) On our 240 that shim was about 1/8" thick on the thick side.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Velvet Ride broken front suspension bolt

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
If you look real close at the middle pic. you can see the shim that Brett is talking about. On a side note that shim sure looks pretty thick compared to most that I have seen/used. (could just be the pic. or you could need a thicker shim) On our 240 that shim was about 1/8" thick on the thick side.

Mike

Common to have two shims between axle and axle bracket (number 15 in the parts diagram). The thick one is standard,  the one below it (between thick one and axle adjusts CASTER so thicker at end than the other).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Velvet Ride broken front suspension bolt

Reply #6 –
Thanks Mike. I'll take a measurement of it when I get home. I think its about size that you say it should be from my memory. On the picture with the missing bolt that's a close up, It kinda looks like there's almost a shockwave where the rust is gone well beyond the washer area. It's clean and the rest of that plate is very rusty. I just had it aligned, but looking at the bolts they don't look like they've been moved in a great number of years. I'll check my alignment report to see if they recorded a caster change. Not to say that's not the answer, but I would think I'd still have a bolt if the nut just came off. If no one else has had this failure, I may be chasing a ghost.

Thank you all for your advice.
Michael & Ginny
Frankfort, KY
1992 U240 GV Build #4116
2007 Mini Cooper

Re: Velvet Ride broken front suspension bolt

Reply #7 –
Yes, post your front end alignment "before and after".

 Doesn't look like caster was adjusted and camber can only be adjusted by bending the axle. That leaves only toe-in to be adjusted-- pretty easy with two people and a tape measure.

Shocked anyone would do an alignment and not mention the missing bolt and bent axle bracket.

And, while you are working on the suspension, measure ride height and number of shims at each corner.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Velvet Ride broken front suspension bolt

Reply #8 –
I just measured the ride height a month ago and it was perfect. The bolt now departed, was there after the alignment in July just before our trip to Florida so it happened on our last. trip.
Michael & Ginny
Frankfort, KY
1992 U240 GV Build #4116
2007 Mini Cooper
 

Re: Velvet Ride broken front suspension bolt

Reply #9 –
Would towing by the axle help along this failure ?