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

[GerryB54]

On our new (to us) 2005 Bounder, we've got two squeaks that are very annoying...one in the passenger side dash area (I've searched/tried a few of the forum remedies inc. spraying silicone), and the other is in the floor (under the carpeting) right in front of the sofa.

I've got enough squeaks in my house floors, didn't expect in in the RV as well...

Does anyone have similar problems/solutions?

[GerryB54]

On our new (to us) 2005 Bounder, we've got two squeaks that are very annoying...one in the passenger side dash area (I've searched/tried a few of the forum remedies inc. spraying silicone), and the other is in the floor (under the carpeting) right in front of the sofa.

I've got enough squeaks in my house floors, didn't expect in in the RV as well...

Does anyone have similar problems/solutions?

[GerryB54]

I need squeak help! Spoke with a respected local independent RV repair facility today, he mentioned the dash squeak issue cound be a weld failing.

He also was aware of the floor squeak...said a bolt could have broken if the frame twisted while leveling...easy to spot from underneath, but the repair would involve removing the sofa and pulling back the carpeting, then installing a new bolt into the subfloor.

Made an appointment for him to look at it mid-October.

[MonacoMama]

Good luck ...I hope it ends up being a minor fix....

[tallguy]

My dealer finally fixed the squeaky dash on my 2004 Pace Arrow, by replacing the undersized screws that attach the dash support to the sidewall. These screws are just inside the hood, on both sides. The originals were Phillips-head, and appeared to be #10 or #8 about 1 1/2"� long. Many were broken off, some were missing, all the others were loose. They were replaced with hex-head screws which appear to be #6 by 1"�.

[GerryB54]

On just reading my owner's manual, I see that the subflooring/frame squeaking issue (if it IS a broken bolt/bolts) might be covered under the three year warranty.

Just emailed Fleetwood, will post their response.

[js9315]

I also have a 2003 Pace Arrow that squeeks, have heard about the dash fix a couple of times but you reply hasme confused... you said the original (undersized) screws were #8s or 10s, 1 1/2 inches long were replaced by #6s 1 inch long, the replacements are smaller than the originals????

Also, you would not happen to have any pictures of the screws in question would you??

Thanks

[tallguy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by js9315:
your reply has me confused... you said the original (undersized) screws were #8s or 10s, 1 1/2 inches long were replaced by #6s 1 inch long, the replacements are smaller than the originals???? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can sure see why that would be confusing! I got the screw sizes wrong, didn't I? The replacement screws were in fact shorter, but larger diameter, not smaller. I suspect the original screws were #8, and were replaced with at least #12 screws.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Also, you would not happen to have any pictures of the screws in question would you??
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>I've tried taking pictures, but never came up with any that were good. I'll try describing in words instead: inside the hood on both sides of the coach, look for a vertical brace screwed into the sidewall of the coach (this brace supports the dash); many of the screws had broken or loosened so the brace was no longer firmly supporting the dash.

[HankyPanky]

I have a 2006 PaceArrow, on a W-24 chassis, and I have had an annoying squeak fro the passenger side dash as well. I noticed that the dash would lift up and down while going over bumps too.

After reading everyone's comments I checked the vertical brace and sure enough...all the screws were busted off. Several of the "heads" were actually still stuck on parts of the fenders below. I spent the better part of 2+ hours getting some #14X1 self-tapping screws and replacing the broken ones. Only problem I really encountered was the wiring harness was in the way and needed held out by the wife!

I could tell that the sidewall of the coach had actually slide down about 1/4 - 1/3 inch (due to seeing the paint pattern moved) but I had no idea how to re-align the sidewall with the vertial brace. The original holes weren't visible anymore in the sidewall thus I knew it had moved. I just drilled into the sidewall where is was...hoping that this will get rid of the squeak and stop the dash from moving up/down. Next trip I take will reveal whether my fix was good or not.

I'm not happy with FW on this issue. It appears to be a common problem. You'd think they would know how to fasten these things better by now. Thanks to all of you on your comments...without that, I may have had to live with the squeak forever!

[Rocky 2]

I had the same thing happen on the passenger side of the dash. Fleetwood fixed it on warranty and there is/was a TSB out on it. Mine required welding a new brace. Now the screws are starting to work themselves out again. I will replace mine with a larger size also.

[GerryB54]

I was discussing with my wife this issue while driving the RV yesterday, how I need to figure out how to remove major portions of the dash and interior wall (in front of the passenger seat) to inspect how this dash skeleton is mounted...I'm sure I'll find some missing/broken screws...I've already found missing screws when we removed the cover by the rear view monitor to work on the new radio install...frame components were not even screwed to the firewall...not broken or loose...never installed in the first place. Screwing the frame down (as designed) significantly reduced/eliminated dash bounce...now the squeaks at the driver/passenger side dash corners...still a problem/annoyance.

[FreshAir]

I had same problem with the dash on my 05 Pace and I fixed it as Tallguys dealer did his.

Also, another dash squeek area, there is a 1 inch piece of rubber or vinal trim that runs across the top of the dash from driver to passenger side and sits in a metal trim. Under that are screws that are supposed to hold the dash to a apx. 1 inch square metal frame tube. These screws are about 2 inches long and about one half of mine had missed the frame and were rubbing along side of it. Just peel the rubber trim off, won't hurt it, and look for metal dust around the screw heads. Those will be the problem ones. Just angle the screw a little and attach it to the framing.

Pat

[GerryB54]

Thanks for the info & description, looks like a winter project for me, but I'll get to it!

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

This is an example of Fleetwood quality. Or in more real terms, lack of it. I have had the same problem on my '04 Fleetwood. A friend of mine has an '04 Bounder, same problem.

Also In the back of the this motorhome they also put a large metal panel that seals off the so-called basement area where the holding tanks are with large sheet metal screws. Every one of them have worked loose, some fell out. I replaced the cheap light weight metal with a 3/4" board w/insulation glued to the inside and attached the board to the metal frame with nutserts. I've actually changed out quite a few sheet metal screws to nutserts where I could get to them easily.

We might as well face it, these screws will constantly work loose over time. You can't put wood or even metal screws in vehicle construction to hold something together as large as a motorhome dash and expect them to stay put. I know I'm blowing smoke to expect anything better, but for a vehicle that costs over $100,000 and some over $200,000 you'd think they'd use something better then wood to attach too and light weight sheet metal screws for fasteners. I also know this isn't just Fleetwood, but in comparing Fleetwood to some of the other manufacturers they seem to do use this method alot.