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Topic: Where do I get sway arm bushings? (Read 1000 times) previous topic - next topic

Where do I get sway arm bushings?

FT, parts shop, truck supply, internet?

I got under the coach after a bumpy road ride and found that the rubber or urethane bushings for the front and rear sway bars literally are rattling around - a good 1/4 to 1/2 inch of flop.  THAT'S where that bumping sound is coming from.

Where do I get replacements? Are they a standard car parts store thing?

oldMattB
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #1 –
I know a guy who custom makes them for motorcycles.  But he needs a good one to go by to make them. Think I'd be calling Foretravel and asking for info.  Am sure Brett would know too!
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #2 –
Don't know about the bushings for the stock sway bars.  I have Roadmaster HD sway bars, rear panhard rod, etc.

I do know that Roadmaster has excellent quality polyurethane bushings, but you would need to know the size:

Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories

Brett
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: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #3 –
The clunking sound on yours may be the sway bars but the clunking sound in mine turned out to be broken rear shock mounts. Running down the road the noise was the worst in the hall back by the bathroom. I had them repaired at Foretravel two years ago and no more clunking. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
The clunking sound on yours may be the sway bars but the clunking sound in mine turned out to be broken rear shock mounts. Running down the road the noise was the worst in the hall back by the bathroom. I had them repaired at Foretravel two years ago and no more clunking.

I would guess that a broken shock mount would be as simple as it sounds - it is either happy and healthy or it is broken off.  I gave the rear shock mounts a good shake while I was under there and they seemed secure.

oldMattB
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #5 –
The best way to check shock mounts on the U225/U240 is to crawl under with the jacks stowed.  Have a big strong guy located at the rear tire start pushing the coach side to side (rocking it) at a comfortable chest level.  Pretty easy once it gets started.  Put your hands on the upper and lower mount and feel for play.  Particularly the upper mount can become wallowed out, so it is not just OK or broken that you are interested in.

If wallowed out, let us know, there fixes.

Brett
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: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #6 –
Brett, good point. Although Foretravel described the problem as a broken shock mount as you suggest I'm pretty sure it was actually wallowed out from the way it sounded. Had it been truly broken I would have seen it. I think they thought I would not understand such a complicated concept as wallowed out so the just called it broken. They sometimes under estimate the brilliance of their customers. I was not aware of your checking method or I probably would have found and fixed the problem myself.

Matt, GOOD TIP although if you bushings are that bad you may need to replace them or the sway bars too. How many miles are on your coach?
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #7 –
Kent,

His sway bars themselves should be fine.  But it would shock me if the OE sway bar and sway bar end link bushings are not shot at that age.
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: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Kent,

His sway bars themselves should be fine.  But it would shock me if the OE sway bar and sway bar end link bushings are not shot at that age.

I figured the sway bars would be ok but I've read very good things about the improvements made by using Roadmaster aftermarket bars. I think I remember that you used them on your coach. What prompted you to make the change and what was the result?
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #9 –
Kent,

Larger diameter sway bars more aggressively control sway.  The good news is less sway.  But, the motion can be a little quicker.  Kind of like comparing a BMW to an Oldsmobile.
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: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #10 –
Thanks for the clarification on "broken."Having no qualified motorhome shakers nearby, I moved the shocks around vigorously.  The shock will twist from side-to-side some, which they apparently are meant to do. They all do the same equally, and do not allow the metal shock body itself to contact the mounts.

The sway bars appear to be 1.5 inch.  There is some play (flop might be a better description) in the sway bar bushings, maybe 1/16 to 1/8 inch.  I assume there should be none.  The end link bushings will move up and down about 1/2 inch by shaking them with a hand.  I assume there should be no movement by hand here either.

Coach has about 75,000 miles.

I will do some net looking, now that I know better what I am looking for.  Will check with Roadmaster.

oldMattB
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #11 –
Matt,

You are correct-- zero clearance/movement on any sway bar or end link bushing.  Any "air" means the sway bar will not start controlling sway until the gap has disappeared.

BTW, this is a "should check" for all coaches with sway bars.

The shocks should have ZERO twist to their mount.  Said another way, on the upper bushing, the upper shock housing should be solid.  Same for the lower mount. Any play could be a worn shock bushing or the mount itself.  Go buy a 6 pack of beer and go round up a big strong guy to rock the coach.

Brett

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: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #12 –
I've been chasing parts and pieces for my 91 GV for the last 6 months in the course of going through everything. After wasting time and money, I've learned my lesson. The first place I call now is FT. Thus far, they've had everything I've needed in stock, at prices lower than anywhere else. If they don't have it, they can probably tell you where to find it.

Steve
1991 U225 Grand Villa

Re: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #13 –
I will call them Monday.  I am always hesitant to call "home" for parts - I have paid dearly for that at times in the past.  I have not yet dealt with FT, but your reassurance was what I needed.  At least I now know to ask about sway bar bushings and end link bushings, and not "those rubber suspension thingies."  Besides, I can stop at Harbor Freight on the way to get the parts!

The job looks pretty easy, after factoring in that it will be done on my back and under the coach.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #14 –
Hey Matt,

Get hold of Mike Grimes in the parts dept at ext 154. He's been there over 30 years, and knows his stuff. I've asked him for things like "that nylon piece and metal clip thing that hold the bottom kitchen drawers shut" for my 20 year old U225. And dang it if he didn't send me exactly what I needed.  ;D

Parts ship UPS ground from Texas. Give him your Motorcade number if you have one for a 10% discount. Hope this helps you out.

Steve
1991 U225 Grand Villa

Re: Where do I get sway arm bushings?

Reply #15 –
Quote from: oldmattb –
I will call them Monday.  I am always hesitant to call "home" for parts - I have paid dearly for that at times in the past.  I have not yet dealt with FT, but your reassurance was what I needed. 
What ever you do, don't leave the little, drop down, trap door in the utility bay open when moving.  You don't want to ruin that piece as it is very pricey, even with the Motorcade discount.  To give you an example, I think my discount was something like $9, so that with shipping put me over $100.  It was already ruined when I brought the coach, but now that I have fixed it, I am very careful about locking it up into travel position before moving the coach.  I tried to properly bend the old bad one as a spare, but could not get the right radius for the curve. 

I would have never thought that little piece of "rocker panel" extruded aluminum would have cost that much, and I still had to strip the slide lock, square of fiberglass, and hinge off the old one and put it on the new one.  Even had to line up everything and drill the holes and assemble it before attaching it to the coach.
1994 U225
build #4514