Community Forums

Sully · 05-26-2006, 07:22 PM

We are sitting in a parking lot on SR 26 in Oregon, but all is not well. Sitting on our doorstep is our driveshaft. All of a sudden we had a lot of noise and no power. Behind us we found the driveshaft lying in the road.

Anyone had this problem? Any idea of any other damage we should look for?

Sully

Sully · 05-26-2006, 07:22 PM

We are sitting in a parking lot on SR 26 in Oregon, but all is not well. Sitting on our doorstep is our driveshaft. All of a sudden we had a lot of noise and no power. Behind us we found the driveshaft lying in the road.

Anyone had this problem? Any idea of any other damage we should look for?

Sully

SteveS · 05-26-2006, 11:45 PM

Sully,

Sorry about your problems. It is certainly exasperating when these things happen on a journey. I assume your drive shaft yoke assembly pulled out of the differential so check the fit (by sliding it back in) to make certain there is no damage to the spline. Also check the transmission end probably where it broke (at the U joints presumably) for obvious damage. The differential and transmission shafts should also be examined for "smoothness" to make sure they will seal off differential grease and transmission fluid. Replace the seals also...it is not worth the cost savings by not replacing them...they may leak otherwise. Good luck.

Old Scout · 05-27-2006, 09:25 AM

I have not heard of any similar incidents with Alpine but have seen several accounts in other product forums and trade mags. You do see cars/trucks brokedown on the road with drive shafts hanging. Short of a material defect, lack of lubrication is about the only cause for a drive shaft failure. Guidance in the WRV maintenance manual suggests lubing the drive shaft components every 3K miles. Thats a bit too frequent for me given the modest "angle of attack" on the drive line. However, I crawl under the coach every 3-4K and grease the joints--I have Cummins do about half my routine maintenance but am not sure if their std lub package includes greasing the drive train....dean

Sully · 05-27-2006, 05:43 PM

Looks like with the help of Rich Ellis of Guaranty in Junction City, I will have new parts and a tech on Sunday. Should be back on the road tomorrow and will give a full update then.

Sully

Sully · 05-30-2006, 09:24 PM

It seems our problem started when one of the bolts used to fasten the strap over the universal, at the dif, failed. We didn't realize this till Mark from WRV brought down a new driveshaft and airbag on Sunday. After hours of trying to get it out with an EZ Out, he went back to Yakima and brought back a new yoke on Monday. After a bit of a hassle we are now back on the road.

Thankfully we were close enough to Yakima that WRV was able to respond in a manner that was well above anything I expected. My thanks to Rich Ellis, Burke and Max, but most especially to Mark Harrah who gave up two days to help a stranded customer.

Now that is CUSTOMER SERVICE to brag about!!

Sully

Ted III · 05-31-2006, 03:46 AM

Sully, it's always great to hear the kind of response you gave to the WRV folks. I have had the same feeling except for one small issue. I am in PA. Hands on help at my site does not happen on my coach from WRV people, but they are great on the phone and they get our dealer to perform. The dealer themselves, which is Stotzfus in West Chester, PA have been terrific as well.

Ted & Carol
2005 Alpine 2005 34' FDDS
2006 PT Cruiser GT