Service Nightmares

Topic: Service Nightmares (Read 1997 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #25 – June 21, 2018, 06:15:18 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – June 21, 2018, 06:10:58 pm

Would be surprised (it HAS happened) if there is not an "L" on the studs on the very outboard end of the left side of the coach with left hand threads.

MANY people -- including some excellent mechanics -- have run into problems with those left handed threads.

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #26 – June 21, 2018, 06:36:42 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – June 21, 2018, 06:10:58 pm

Would be surprised (it HAS happened) if there is not an "L" on the studs on the very outboard end of the left side of the coach with left hand threads.

Being ambididextrous, 'on/off' has always been a big lag for me. Do ALL FTs have LH threads, or?

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #27 – June 21, 2018, 08:05:04 pm

Quote from: mike leary – June 21, 2018, 06:36:42 pm

Do ALL FTs have LH threads, or?

No

Mike

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #28 – June 22, 2018, 10:22:27 am

There is a very small "L" on the left side studs. The Budd style lugs are not used very often and most are older then the techs that try to remove them . A small sticker near the studd may reduce the stories told here.

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #29 – June 22, 2018, 11:10:34 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – June 20, 2018, 01:29:38 pm

On our last west to east and back trip, we met two Foretravels in rest stops within one hundred miles. One was president of a Foretravel club and the other just an owner/operator. Neither one was a forum member nor had any interest in becoming one. (who would after meeting me?)
Since I became a member years ago, the forum has grown and grown. While I know I don't always agree politically or over coach operating choices, I see many points of view and a shared love of travel. I sure don't know it all and don't hesitate to call or PM another member to pick his or her brain. We would not be reading and posting otherwise, right?
Nice group of people here to ask first before putting yourself at the mercy of big profit motivated shops. Everyone has to make a living but...

Pierce

Some people have the money to drive the newer or new coaches, and pay for someone else to maintain it. They have lawn guys, tax accounts, lawyers, and when something needs servicing, they pay someone to do it. They are not interested in how it works, they just want it to work.
Some of us are the polar opposite, wanting to know how things work, how to fix it, or at least have a good understanding of how it works and is repaired so when we take it in to let another work on it, we have a idea of what's in store.
I joined these forums several years before I purchased a foretravel. I learned a lot. One of the reasons I went with Foretravel is because of the people on this forum, willing to help out and share their knowledge and experience. There are other RV forums, and other Class A RV's, many which are good. But the people here made a difference to me. Shows something.
As for those that drive Foretravels, and don't want to be a part of a strong community of like minded owners... whats to say? Have a nice day? See you on the road? Maybe nothing at all. In the end, it's the community of people, not the brand of coach, to me that makes this different. But then, I'm new so maybe need more time around you guys to think differently

Bob

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #30 – June 22, 2018, 11:20:56 am

It's easy if you hold a bolt up in front of you. The threads always go uphill to the RIGHT. A little tougher if on a coach and the stud is pointing at you but take a second to look at the threads. You can see a couple so you can tell. Some left hand studs have a "L" and some nuts have a small slot about half way from each end right where the angle changes.

If it's in the morning, I can usually pick out UNC or UNF from Metric with a quick glance but anyone good at BSW (British Standard Whitworth)? I remember when Perkins used BSW on a lot of engine parts but used UNC/UNF or the bell housing. Naturally, they also used cloth covered wiring that quickly faded. Nice as you could play Russian Roulette if you ever had to put wires back on anything.

Pierce

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #31 – June 22, 2018, 12:34:01 pm

Pierce, I still have BSW tools from the old Triumph BSA motorcycle days.

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #32 – June 22, 2018, 01:25:48 pm

I would start a new thread, but out of curiosity who has never had a bad experience with service? I don't think I am the only one who has never paid for a service on any vehicle. I have had motorhomes since 1983 and never have had anyone work on any of them or my cars, boats and motorcycles. That is why I can afford to own one. My brother and I were discussing while on vacation, that renting one would be as cheap as owning one if it wasn't used enough. Mine is also my earthquake back-up here in Los Angeles and I will retire and get much more use out of my coach.

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #33 – June 22, 2018, 08:24:52 pm

I also spin my own wrenches, and yes I have had many nightmares doing so! Did pay a mechanic $85 to do a power steering seal on my 71 F-150 which involves removing the pitman arm, he lost but honored quote. Built an 1835 vw motor in my dorm room.

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #34 – June 22, 2018, 10:31:09 pm

There is a mechanical fuel pump on your cat, a screw turn can increase the fuel. Oem was 5 seconds of black smoke at full throttle then go away.

There is an altitude adjustment also.

Same 5 seconds at altitude or one or the other is wrong.

Bet your coaches barely revs to 2800 or so if held there in third?

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #35 – June 23, 2018, 11:03:45 pm

Quote from: Old phart phred – June 22, 2018, 08:24:52 pm

I also spin my own wrenches, and yes I have had many nightmares doing so! Did pay a mechanic $85 to do a power steering seal on my 71 F-150 which involves removing the pitman arm, he lost but honored quote. Built an 1835 vw motor in my dorm room.

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only crazy person out there--I rebuilt a 283 that was bores .125 to make it a 302 if memory is correct. It was on 8th floor of dorm at U of A Fayetteville AR. we carried it down elevator on trashcan lid with wheels put it in a friends 1957 chevy in parking lot. long steel rod with 2 boys on each end lifted it in place and I locked it to bell housing. Fond memories long gone!!!
Also, spin wrenches --if it breaks I at least know who to blame!!!!
Chris

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #36 – June 24, 2018, 12:17:15 am

Times were different then, college students didn't have credit cards. Hmm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #37 – June 24, 2018, 06:57:06 pm

Quote from: Old phart phred – June 22, 2018, 08:24:52 pm

Built an 1835 vw motor in my dorm room.

Put a 389 Pontiac V8 together in my apartment bedroom....Got evicted right after that.

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #38 – June 24, 2018, 06:59:10 pm

I do it all,except heavy lifting.Some times I even figure out how to get around that. Tired of people messing my stuff up, then charging me big bucks. I get how it works......

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #39 – June 24, 2018, 07:40:02 pm

"For newbies here as well as old hats, this forum has the potential to get you going in the right direction when you have a problem or even think you have one." One of the requirements for me back when we were researching was an active owners forum populated by people who actually did some of the work on their coaches.

Most of us do at least some of our own work, and I would guess that there are very few who do 100% of their own work. All of us have different skill levels, and only a few have a fully stocked shop with them. Last year, when we had our engine rebuilt, some people suggested that it was an easy job that I could do myself. After watching some of what the tech did, no, I couldn't have done it myself. I know my limitations.

Several years ago we suffered a breakdown while on the way to Oklahoma City. CoachNet towed us to Cabin Diesel in Big Cabin, OK. They were able to fix everything except for one part. Foretravel, in their great wisdom, had spec'd a special part that was very similar to a standard part. Foretravel thought they had the proper part, but it was the standard one, not the custom one. It would take three months before a new run of the custom part could be done. The manager was almost in tears when he told us that there was nothing more he could do. Fortunately, we have a friend who runs a tool and die business. He ordered a seal kit for the pump and had us bring both the new pump (with the standard shaft - that didn't fit) and the old pump with the extended shaft that did fit. He opened the original pump and discovered that it was still in nearly new condition, so he put in the seal kit and we sent the new pump back. The shop was opened on 2 January, when they were supposed to be closed, so they could get us on our way. Good service there.

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #40 – June 24, 2018, 08:12:12 pm

kb0zke just mentioned CoachNet. I use them as well and a road service policy is a must have for anyone who travels in a motorhome.

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Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #25 – June 21, 2018, 06:15:18 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #26 – June 21, 2018, 06:36:42 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #27 – June 21, 2018, 08:05:04 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #28 – June 22, 2018, 10:22:27 am

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #29 – June 22, 2018, 11:10:34 am

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #30 – June 22, 2018, 11:20:56 am

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #31 – June 22, 2018, 12:34:01 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #32 – June 22, 2018, 01:25:48 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #33 – June 22, 2018, 08:24:52 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #34 – June 22, 2018, 10:31:09 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #35 – June 23, 2018, 11:03:45 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #36 – June 24, 2018, 12:17:15 am

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #37 – June 24, 2018, 06:57:06 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #38 – June 24, 2018, 06:59:10 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #39 – June 24, 2018, 07:40:02 pm

Re: Service Nightmares

Reply #40 – June 24, 2018, 08:12:12 pm

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