Front End Issues

GORDON HUMMEL · 10-03-2009, 04:23 PM

When I purchased my Newell in Jan 2008, there was a definete issue with the front end. In Feb of this year I had the Steering gear box rebuild. That fixed about 70-80% of the problem, but there was still something wrong with the right front. If I hit a bump/hole with both tires, no problem. If i did the same with the left front time, no problem. If I did the same with the right tire, the steering wheel would move quite a bit. Also, when I start out on the AM, I can hear a metalic noise, tapping/banging lets say, not grinding. This noise goes away almost immediately.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to put the coach on a machine that will usually find any problems with any suspension component. This machine lifts the front axle to put different loads on the tires, & also in this mode there are yellow pads under the tires (see picture), where you can load the tires in any direction & really stress any component.
After 40 minutes & 4 sets of eyes, couldn't find a thing.
Ended up putting a 4' crow bar through the right wheel & resting on the drum. Could find a minimal ammout of movement, probably still in spec. Took it all apart, & bearing are perfect. Put it back together. & dvove 12 miles back to the RV park & all seemed OK.
Not positive, but time will tell!
Also, over the summer I replaced the steering wheel, with an 18", as opposed to 20" std
This was a great improvement in the comfort area & I can now reach the TS lever

fulltiming · 10-04-2009, 04:08 PM

Interesting that the problem would disappear without any adjustment or parts replacement. Hope it holds. I do have some slop in my steering box that Richard told me how to fix. Still on my to do list.

GORDON HUMMEL · 10-04-2009, 05:39 PM

Michael
Did tighten up the wheel bearing to match the left one that did not have any movement

fulltiming · 10-04-2009, 06:04 PM

A loose wheel bearing could have been the culprit.

Richard and Rhonda · 10-04-2009, 09:25 PM

Gordon,

It is very easy to check the wheel bearing slop. Jack up the tire, take the silver hub cap off, and mount a magnetic base indicator to the drum with the indicator stylus on the front axle. You pull straight out and push straight in on the front tire. The dial indicator should not move more that .002.

The dial indicator is an essential piece of equipment in diagnosing loose stuff in the front end. The trick is to mount it so it measures the relative movement between the two parts of interest, and then take something large enough to get some serious leverage and tug.

Do you have the wet style front hubs or the sealed unit? Mine is the sealed unit. I think that is officially called the Unitized Front Axle by Rockwell.

GORDON HUMMEL · 10-04-2009, 09:52 PM

I don't have the unitized hubs. My experience with them has been quite good. The only failures I've seen were on tractors that were converter to dump trucks & they all have over 800K miles. If memory serves me, Meritor came out with a replacement bearing kit as the whole assy was quite pricey