Ventana slide problem(s)

[park_ridge_dave]

Hi,

Well I was working on the Rig today and needed to get the rear (bedroom) passenger slide out to access the back closet. It moved out about 2" and then "BAM" a really loud noise like a huge POP. I climbed out to look and then I saw the damage that is in the picture that I am attaching. The drive shaft is split! It appears to be tool steel!

I checked the locks and they were "free" (I never use them as I can't get them to toggle (no arm strength lol). I am assuming that I have "some" binding in the slide. Does anyone have any ideas as to what has caused problems like this in the past?

Monday I will try to get an appointment at a service center (yeah on July 4th week ).

OBTW I don't need the rig until about July 15 so hopefully I can get it fixed by then I an NOT on the road (thank goodness!)

Thanks in advance

Dave

[PDR John]

You may want to give Newmar a call, with your coach number. If I recall there was a batch of bad shafts and Newmar was replacing them.

[siggyd]

Sorry about your mishap, I have never seen a drive shaft break like this, must be a bad badge. I'm sure Newmar will take care of it.
BTW we are going to Goshen Fairgrounds for the 4th of July weekend, then we'll go around Lake Michigan, that's the plan.
Siggy & Ursula

[Luv2go]

Here's a link to a thread where I posted about similar break my 2008 in 2011. I'd definitely call Newmar Customer Service at 1-(800)-731-8300 and press the point that this should never have broken. I didn't and it cost me $110 for the part (I did the labor). The good news is it hasn't failed since, I think I just got a bad shaft.

Another poster (who has a lot more metallurgical knowledge than I) responded saying that the issue in my shaft was indicative of a heat treating issue, not simple torsional failure (which would occur if the slide was binding). Like yours, his was rusted where it was broken.

As PDRJohn said, further down in that post a 2012 Ventana owner contacted Newmar and they replaced his shaft at no charge.

[millerj]

My 2012 Ventana 4324 shaft on the passenger side bedroom slide broke into. I shaft about 1.25 inches in diameter shouldn't break on that small slide but it did. As another poster said they got a batch of bad shafts. Newmar replaced mine but it was still under the one year warranty when it happened.

["007"]

Your shaft looks like it has a lot of rust around it if that might have helped caused the break.
The shaft I believe is in your lower compartment may want to check the seals around the compartment door and see if water is leaking into compartment when driving coach in the rain.
Could be the lock latch is not adjusted correctly to compress the door rubber seal.

[park_ridge_dave]

Originally Posted by PDR John

You may want to give Newmar a call, with your coach number. If I recall there was a batch of bad shafts and Newmar was replacing them.

Thanks John I will call them

Cheers,

Dave

[park_ridge_dave]

Originally Posted by siggyd

Sorry about your mishap, I have never seen a drive shaft break like this, must be a bad badge. I'm sure Newmar will take care of it.
BTW we are going to Goshen Fairgrounds for the 4th of July weekend, then we'll go around Lake Michigan, that's the plan.
Siggy & Ursula

Thanks Siggy!

Have fun on the around the lake trip. That is always fun!

Dave

[park_ridge_dave]

Originally Posted by "007"

Your shaft looks like it has a lot of rust around it if that might have helped caused the break.
The shaft I believe is in your lower compartment may want to check the seals around the compartment door and see if water is leaking into compartment when driving coach in the rain.
Could be the lock latch is not adjusted correctly to compress the door rubber seal.

I think the rust may be caused by a design problem as the bay on my rig is wide open on the bottom it is not like my other slides that are enclosed in the basement bays.

The passenger side back slide drive is in the engine area where the DEF tank is mounted there is no protection.

Cheers,

Dave

["007"]

May want to coat grease or some Rust-Oleum rust preventer to combat the rust from recouping.

[park_ridge_dave]

Well I took my rig in to Ehrhardt's Trailer Sales in Des Plaines. They used to be a Newmar Fifth wheel dealer. I play golf with the owner, but, I had been using them for coach repairs for years before Tim (the owner) and I started playing together in the golf league. OBTW this is going somewhere "non-commercial" as I get no$$$ for this.

Anyway, he looked at it and said" let me see what I have to order, Ill Call you".
He called me back within the hour and gave me a person to speak with at the factory. Guess What? I am scheduled for the repair at the factory July 14! The BEST PART???? It will be covered by a "goodwill" warranty. We were going by the factory on our trip anyway so it is perfect! Thank You TIM and Newmar!

So far not too much pain for me.

And yes, before I forget, I want to also extend a very hearty THANK YOU to all my posters you were all a huge help.

I will let you know how it comes out.

Cheers,

Dave

[park_ridge_dave]

Well I said that I would post a follow up on my "adventures" with the factory RE: My slide repair.

The verdict is in and I am more than ever convinced that I have made the right choice in NEWMAR!

This was my first experience dealing with the factory. I was a little nervous (of course).

Anyway, pulled in Monday night about 5:30pm and found a spot on Delaware.

Called service and left a voice mail that I was there and what spot I was in. The 14th at 6:10am a friendly service technician (Perry) knocked on my door. He took the particulars and the coach. That afternoon at 2:30pm the coach was back good as new! (Thanks Perry!). Also, we managed to get a FHU site for the night (thanks Jeanie).

In the interim we explored Nappanee (very pretty town) took the factory tour (a MUST!) and found local sights to see.

Everybody we met was very helpful (e.g. Joe in parts, Jeanie the concierge, tour staff etc.).

We had a very pleasant time.

YMMV

Cheers,

Dave