Annoying Dash Area Squeaks...UPDATE (See Last Post)

[GerryB54]

Leaks and squeaks, my two biggest issues so far with this coach, after one year of ownership!

Overall, I still love the RV and it's features generally, but slide leak issues were always one of my concerns when moving from my slideless Class Cs to three slides.

I believe most people have minor slide leaks and don't even know they are there, there's just no way to waterproof/leakprook this type of construction/device from heavy rains.

The dash squeaks (and floor squeak) really irritate me, can't wait to get the dash apart this winter and discover the "quality" of workmanship I've already seen in this area.

[GerryB54]

Early October I investigated the dash mounting strip that runs along the front of the RV where the fiberglass windshield area meets the leather like covered area (Thanks again, FreshAir for identifying the location). I found a couple dozen screws going down into the wood vertical firewall and many were loose, some don't even seem to be screwed into anything.

I tightened them and then traveled to NH for a rally...the passenger side (the most noisy side) was quiet for almost the entire trip, but my side (drivers) now was making more noise after tightening...but it definitely seems to be the trouble spot. It sure sounds like the fiberglass shell at the fastener location is causing the squeaks. We noticed after we purchased this rig and were driving 600 miles home that my wife could stop her passenger side squeaks by pressing down along this fastener location.

Today I will be removing all the screws and replacing with fatter ones, may try to rubber isolate the screw areas as well. I also plan on making sure ALL screws are screwed INTO something...I'll keep you posted.

[js9315]

GerryB54 - Did you ever get the dash out to inspect all of the mounting hardware?? I am leaning in this direction as I have the time and am fed up with all of the noise going down the road. On our last trip I had screws dropping out of the overhead from the TV mounting location, so that is also on the list of things to be removed and inspected.

Anyone know where I might get a manual or drawing that shows how this beast is assembled??

[GerryB54]

I was able to get the plastic dash cover off over the instrument panel (that I had off for the new radio install), but you can't see back into the firewall mounting area easily. This is where I found a dash support not mounted to the firewall though, that I did screw down.

I want to get the vertical wall area along the passenger side front area (by their feet) removed and see what's connected behind that, but haven't got there yet.

I have a weekend trip planned so I want to replace the above mentioned screws and see what I hear (or don't hopefully).

[GerryB54]

Well, removed approx. twenty screws from under the rubber trim piece across the front where the fiberglass dash meets the soft vinyl section of the dash...inspected the area and see a soft plastic gasket running under the length of this area. Looked inside and out and it appears these all are screwed into the wood firewall...could be a couple in the middle through a metal frame. The screws removed were full thread #6 wood deck kinda screws about 1 1/8" long.

I replaced all twenty of these with #10 (thicker) 1 1/2" long full thread sheet metal screws w/the same recessed/countersunk flat philips head type.

They all screwed down nice and tight, and no more squeaks on the initial test drive. There was some binding over on the passenger side corner, so when I got back home I backed the few screws in that area off about a half turn, we'll see if it helps. The noise I heard could just fade away after the area wears in, won't know for a while...on smooth highway it makes no noise, just when on bumpy roads when there's flexing in that corner. The previous squeaking that sounded like the fiberglass squeaking are all gone. This thing used to really chatter at times, very annoying.

[Just Because]

Try a boating solution.

When you remove the screws to replace them, use a little 3m 5200 sealant to set them in place. I believe that 5200 will hold the world together if you can get it in a crack. Might want to use 4000 as you can remove this product, 5200 is forever.