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Topic: Retarder Bracket Failure Update (Read 1037 times) previous topic - next topic

Retarder Bracket Failure Update

My friend Bruce Olson called yesterday morning.  He had just pulled in to a truck stop fuel island when his accumulator fell to the ground.  Unlike my failure, his failure happened at low speed, so his accumulator and solenoid were only scuffed, saving him over $1,000.  I coached him on getting his accumulator strapped up so he could leave the fuel island.  He then removed the bracket.  Instead of breaking at the weld, his broke through the bolt holes holding the bracket to the accumulator!.  Also, his coach is a 2006, so much younger than mine.  So it is not enough to just inspect the weld.  I don't see any alternative than completely removing the bracket, then cleaning and inspecting it carefully.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #1 –
Brett I'm having difficulty understanding that the accumulator mount bolts pulled thru?
Scott

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #2 –
Quality of the steel is dependent on who and where it's manufactured, lamination and inclusions are rare but happen nevertheless. Case in point BNSF railroads bought rail from offshore, the ball (top) of the rail was breaking off on curves. Manufacturing defect.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #3 –
Scott, I haven't looked at mine yet so what goes through the 4 holes U-bolts? Could they get loose and wear the nuts through if washers weren't used? Can't remember when Foretravel fixed the bracket weld problem at the factory.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #4 –
Nice looking weld but its on the wrong side so it will fail. Should have weld both sides.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #5 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Nice looking weld but its on the wrong side so it will fail. Should have weld both sides.
That was his before he modified it. Reply #23 is the finished product
Older U320 Retarder Bracket Issue
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #6 –
There are four bolts through the bracket to hold the accumulator ior in place. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #7 –
Quote from: craneman –
Scott, I haven't looked at mine yet so what goes through the 4 holes U-bolts? Could they get loose and wear the nuts through if washers weren't used? Can't remember when Foretravel fixed the bracket weld problem at the factory.
Four bolts into accumulator plate. 1/2 bolts . I could possible see the two larger bellhousing bolt fail , but the four is weird. Hopefully we will end up with a photo.
Oldguy I agree with you. I had actually cut off some of the extra unused plate in those photos of the unprepared bracket
Heres finished photo

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #8 –
Funny - FT had a recall on that years ago.  Not sure if they still honor the "campaign", but there was definitely a recall. 

Found it in our old receipts circa 2007

Campaign # FC0102 Retarder Accumulator Mounting https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?media/item/retarder-accumulator-bracket-failure.3403/
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Funny - FT had a recall on that years ago.  Not sure if they still honor the "campaign", but there was definitely a recall. 
Would be kinda nice to know what there fix was, I'm really no longer concerned about mine and performed a repair without any damage. 53k miles. Just curious.
Scott

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #10 –
Quote from: dsd –
Would be kinda nice to know what there fix was, I'm really no longer concerned about mine and performed a repair without any damage. 53k miles. Just curious.

They inspected the bracket, and if there was an issue, it was replaced with a redesigned bracket (new ones had a gusset design, IIRC).  FT parts had the redesigned bracket on hand as late as 2012-ish (whenever the first Mineola Grandvention was held).
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #11 –
Sounds like a lot slipped between the cracks. Been a lot of money spent on a recall item. Truly was a pathetic design but hope all will check either way. Costs to much not too. Thanks for finding that out. I had checked recalls when I first was looking at our coach and don't recall that one. Glad mine is behind me.
Scott

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #12 –
I bought my '99 in 2006 and knew the issue.  I had FT Service check the bracket for years.  They never found anything and never mentioned a recall or available bracket redesign.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #13 –
Is this the retarder accumulator on a 2003 FT 320?
If so, are the welds in question run longitudinal on the side?

Regards

Klaus
The world is not interested in the storms you encountered, but whether or not you brought in the ship.
Raul Armesto

2003 U 320 4020 Unit 6145

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #14 –
Klaus,

That appears to be your "wet" air tank.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #15 –
Klaus.  The retarder Accumulator is on the passengers side of the transmission.  One big hose in one end and out the other.  It should be where mine is, on yours if it has a tag probably just behind the tag wheel.

The bracket has two vertical bolts holding it on to the coach and there are four bolts holding the bracket to the retarder.

The bracket had a weld on one side of the horizontal piece, it should be welded on both sides, many have added one or two gussets as well.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #16 –
My original retarder bracket issue thread with pictures from 60 days ago.
Older U320 Retarder Bracket Issue
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #17 –
Jack, thank you for your original post. Because of your post I proactively repaired mine and saved a bunch of money. I deviated  from FT Repair plate and extended supplemental support brackets too the upper mount bolts Rather than below into space dependent on the strength of the mount plate. No triangulation. Shame FT didn't extend this recall to current owners like you.
Scott

Re: Retarder Bracket Failure Update

Reply #18 –
Photo