I may have found my noise!

[JWatkins]

I have been having a noise from the rear of the coach for a while now and haven't been able to track it down. I have a vent under my shower that is actually open to the outside. You can see daylight through it, but that's another story. I think the noise travels up through that into the coach. I was changing my fuel filter out to the OEMENGINEERING adapter and fuel filter and decided to bang a round a bit.

I discovered what think is a heat shield that runs between the frame rails just above the mufflers. This looks to have been spot welded into place but has come loose. Almost 3/4 of that first panel at the mufflers is allowed to bang up and down. I see where there is a fatigue tear about 1/2 way up toward the front of the panel, on the passenger side. That must have come from it flopping about.

I am supposing this is a Workhorse installed item? I guess the best course of action is to take it somewhere and have it re-spot welded? I don't think there is enough material to put screws into it.

I think that if it was not attended to, there is a possibility that it could actually break free and fly off!

Anyone else had this issue? My coach is in my sig.

Joe

[Max Hubrich]

I think welding would be a good option. A good muffler shop welder could do it easily-- they are always messing around in that area anyway--

How about some hand fabricated brackets pop riveted on the frame ?

I'm glad you found the problem---

[JWatkins]

The bracket idea will be my fall back. I have a friend that will weld it this next week. I suspect this is something that should be checked by others in the future. My 2004 Adventurer has 35,000 miles.
Joe

[John350]

Disconnect all the batteries before welding. John

[JWatkins]

John, would the battery disconnect be OK?
Joe

[M&EM]

I have had the same problem, loose panels underneath. I used poly urethane sealant globs to glue the panel back to the support structures. Several sections of panels also seemed to "oilcan" easily. The same blobs of material put an end to that too. The urethane is somewhat flexible and sticks to most anything. Its been over 4 years and still holding. The stuff I used I got at HD and is a black roofing sealant in a caulking type dispensing tube. Make sure it says poly urethane. I also use this to seal off the underside of any leaky compartments. The only con to this material is it takes several days to a wek to cure.

[John350]

Just disconnect the batteries Joe. Coach and Engine when you are welding. Happy Motoring. John

[JWatkins]

Thanks. I will do that.
Joe

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWatkins John, would the battery disconnect be OK? Joe

disconnect all of the ground battery cables before arc welding. gas welding is ok with batteries connected.

[JWatkins]

Got it, thanks.
Joe

[bruceh]

I had a simliar issue on the Tioga. The heat shield was loose and banging in cross winds. I had it spot welded at my local RV shop.

[JWatkins]

I took the coach to a friend to see if he could spot weld it for me. He stated that he didn't have enough room to do that since he couldn't get to the top to weld the thin sheet to the frame rail. He said it would not work well from below. There was also a problem with the many fuel or brake lines , etc on the one side where he was hesitant to attempt anything. We did a jimmy-rig on it for now. I will have to find some other way of attachment. The many lines on the inside of the left side frame rail are in the way for some sort of bracket attachment as well.

Joe

[M&EM]

Joe, Re read my earlier post on this thread.

Marty.

[JWatkins]

Thanks, I had forgotten that one. I will Johnny off to the HD and get some next time the MH is at my house. I keep it in a storage barn across town. Thanks for the reminder M&EM!
Joe