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Terrible screech from the stepwell area...Help!

September 24, 2014, 09:43:39 pm

Hello All,

Gotta problem.  We just picked up our new-to-us 2008 Nimbus at Nac last week, and are on our maiden voyage.  All was well until we developed an unbelievable screech from the stepwell area.  The DW thinks it is coming from the lower door area; while I'm driving, it sounds to me like it's coming from the well cover or generator area.  So, the location is not certain.  If I had to describe the sound, it sounds like a bearing about to go out, only extremely loud, but there isn't anything around there with a bearing.  It is so loud we cannot carry on a conversation, and it borders on being painful.  I figured it was the stepwell cover, as I had lubricated its slide mounts with silicone.  I cleaned that off with alcohol.  No dice; still there.  We started moving the stepwell cover in and out, standing on it enroute, pushing and pulling on the door, all to no avail.  It is affected by wind pressure, as it doesn't kick in until around 40 mph.  I've decided it must be two pieces of metal in contact, but I cannot find them.  I got some BreakFree lube, climbed underneath and lubed all parts of the generator mechanisim, all parts which might come in contact with the frame, etc..  Tried to adjust the door, but that is not possible with the latch...cannot pull it in more tightly.  So, I placed more weatherstrip at the bottom.  Haven't had any luck so far.
Has anyone had a similar experience?  This is so unpleasant it can mess up the trip.  I'd certainly appreciate any suggestions anyone has; thanks very much.

Raleigh

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Re: Terrible screech from the stepwell area...Help!

Reply #1 – September 24, 2014, 09:58:13 pm

Raleigh, have not much knowledge about the new Foretravels, So this is a big guess if your entry door is forward I would look real hard at the wheel on that side, your disc may have something going on, I would even look for a big parking lot that has some room and have your wife drive it and walk along side ( with some good distance mind you) and see if you can hear anything coming from the front wheel. Again just a guess. Good luck ! 

Andy

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Reply #2 – September 24, 2014, 10:23:19 pm

Thank you for your response, Andy.  I'll try anything, but I have my doubts about the wheel/disc area for a couple of reasons.  One is that it doesn't start until about 40 mph, and it isn't constant; it doesn't do it all of the time--it comes and goes, but mostly comes....  Also, we went through a heavy rainstorm, and the water acted as a lubricant on whatever it is, as it was quiet until things dried out.  I realize that could support the disc theory, but applying brakes wet or dry seems to have no effect on the noise--no change.
It's a real head-scratcher.


Raleigh

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Re: Terrible screech from the stepwell area...Help!

Reply #3 – September 24, 2014, 10:27:42 pm

Wind whistle?

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Reply #4 – September 24, 2014, 10:41:45 pm

I'm not sure, Tom.  That's why we started with trying to tighten down the door.  If it is wind whistle, it is the most unbelieveable one I've ever heard.  It is definitely affected by the wind, though, as it really gets going around 40 mph and increases with speed.  Kicker there, though, is that it isn't constant; it will quit every now and then.  Also, it did not do this on our 400-mile return trip home from Nac.  I tightened up the fiberglass trim on the front of the generator, thinking that might be it, as the screws were some loose.  No luck.  Other places I should look?

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Reply #5 – September 24, 2014, 10:43:58 pm

I hear what you're saying about not likely the wheel but that's the only thing turning anywhere up front.  Does a bump (i.e.. suspension deflection) affect the noise? 
Maybe when you go fast enough the wind pushes something against the wheel or disk that's not evident when you're stopped and looking under the coach.
Out of curiosity, do you have IFS (Independent Front Suspension)?
Have you checked the hub temperature and compare to other side?  Temperature is good indicator if your hub bearing is failing.

I had something similar happen.  Noise was from driver's side wheel and was not speed dependent.  A terrible screeching sound - metal on metal.  Could hear it when going any speed but change with vehicle speed.  Backing up made it change and sound different.  Turned out to be a broken spring (leaf style) on the brake pads came off and wedged on the edge of the rotor against the caliper.  It was harmless but sure didn't sound that way.

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Reply #6 – September 24, 2014, 11:06:33 pm

Raleigh, please do a search on my recent dialog here, look up "whistle". Just in case it is wind related. These great folks and James Triana waked me thru mine.

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Reply #7 – September 25, 2014, 07:17:53 am

As a previous owner of a Nimbus 2007, let me say that with over 70,000 miles on the coach, I would suspect the wheel itself making the noise. It could be either a bearing or brakes. There is really nothing else that wind would cause to make such a noise as you described. We too have a front door entry and the door does not allow that much noise to come in. If you were running the generator while driving, then I would also check the generator itself, however I doubt this was an issue. I do not think that the step would cause the loud issue even if it was still trying to retract when driving. I really would look at those front wheels. Is there enough oil in the bearing cups? We have used Freightliner in an emergency to repair brakes so they might be an option locally to look at the brakes for you. Also, watch the drive axle rear seals too because we have found they do fail, however there is no noise when they go out.

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Reply #8 – September 25, 2014, 10:12:21 am

Good morning everyone,

Thanks very much for all your replies; you've given me some things to go on.  I'll nose around that wheel assembly and see if I can tell if anything is out of place.  Horace, I'll check out that info, also.
Thanks again.  Raleigh

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Reply #9 – September 26, 2014, 09:18:44 pm

Hello everyone,

Here's an update after two days of driving and no internet access.  The evening I posted, I climbed underneath, greased everything I could find which was metal-to-metal, got some expanding foam and filled various holes in the stepwell area.  I'm no truck brake technician, but I looked at both front brakes and both looked exactly the same.  Checked the oil in the hub, and it was fine.  Headed down the road...no change.  Upon listening to the sound more (no choice there), I decided it had to be wind-related.  We stopped enroute and I removed the screen door so my bride could try muffling various parts of the exterior door.  Low and behold, she was able to affect it around the window area.  It is, indeed, a wind whistle, and the most amazing thing I've ever heard.  Sounds like a turkey call through a 200 watt amplifier.  So, I'm going to seal up around the glass and entire window insert and figure that's going to do it.
Thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions.  Horace, I did a search here for whistle, but being as how I'm no computer guru, I couldn't find it.  I'll see if I can polish up on my technique...
Again, much obliged to everyone; it is certainly nice to know that one can find help even when it seems one is at the ends of the earth with no "Foretravel" knowledge anywhere around.  This forum is great.

Raleigh

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Reply #10 – September 26, 2014, 09:31:25 pm

Outstanding  Hope the rest of your trip is uneventful

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Reply #11 – September 26, 2014, 11:01:24 pm

One way to find wind noise is to use a homemade stethoscope, like a pvc pipe or vinyl hose near ear with other end moved about to find source of sound.

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Reply #12 – September 27, 2014, 01:07:47 am

Worth noting is that there are wind whistles, and also other wind noise generators that are much worse than whistles.

Whistles are generated by air blowing over an opening on a pipe-like structure, and not necessarily closed.  These are relatively melodic, consisting of mostly even harmonics, truly whistle-like, but can be loud.

Much more raucous sounding are what I might call wind clarinets.  Reed instruments.  A piece of metal or any blade like structure caught in the wind can vibrate, producing lots of odd harmonics, and wake the dead levels of extremely annoying noise.

I suggest looking for any pieces of metal, plastic, tape...anything flat that can catch the air and vibrate.

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Re: Terrible screech from the stepwell area...Help!

Reply #13 – September 27, 2014, 07:36:26 am

Have someone drive along beside you with their window open and listen to whatever the sound might be outside. I suspect it's some form of wind noise, but I think it would be helpful to compare the inside and outside sounds.

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