Community Forums

Blue Ribbon · 07-29-2009, 11:59 AM

Alright, symptoms are a very loud banging - like a 10 lb. sledge hammer on the axle, springs or frame when hit a bridge joint, tar joint in road, slight flexing up and down from a very very shallow dip. It is very loud, and a very solid sound. Does not effect steering. It is the front right wheel. I spent about 1/2 hour under the front to see was there a spring bolt loose, had a shock came loose, was there any loose bolts on the hub or wheel attachment.

Two months ago, I took it into local WH authorized shop. They spent 3 hours and $285 later to tell me one of the 1/8" X 1" brace that goes from the front frame to the bottom front fender opening was loose on the front frame, and that is what I heard banging. They tightened it up, and said they fixed the problem.

OK, don't believe it, but drove the MH 6 trips 30 to 120 miles, and no noise at all. But last time we were out, 60 mile drive, 2/3 the way into the trip on an interstate off ramp it starts again. Every single crack in the pavement, be it concrete or asphalt, very very loud noise. I immediately stopped and again got under front end, and can't find anything. Called to find a WH authorized shop (MH is NOT under warranty), and was going to say, forget the camping, take it directly to WH. No, I'm only a few miles from camping, I'll go there and then go to WH garage.

Leveled the MH, which took the front wheels up, almost off the ground. "Broke camp" early to head out to WH and no noise. Wait a minute. I took a short cut across a rough state road, and still no noise. 60 mile drive home and no noise at all.

I'm really concerned a wheel is going to fall off or something. I really would like educated guesses, as I'm going to take it back to WH and show them the frender brace is good and tight, and there is a loud noise.

Please I'd like your feedback.

It is an early '04 W22 chassis.

"007" · 07-29-2009, 12:35 PM

You say its your right side front if thats the passenger side its the rear of of your spring on that side. If you look at the front of the spring you will see a plastic or vinyl shim that is missing on rear of spring mount. You can grease the mount that holds spring and will stop the banging. Workhorse has a kit to place in rear of spring, to stop the bang.
I have it on mine I just lube that part of spring and it has worked, no bang.

photoadjuster · 07-29-2009, 01:48 PM

Might check the leveling jack or jacks on the front. On my beaver sometimes the jack foot gets turned slighty and bangs on a cross member. Since it starts and stops after relocation check the jack.

Blue Ribbon · 07-29-2009, 01:52 PM

Thanks, checked jack, and foot(s) are always square to the piston. I just got back from WH shop, and they are going to call WH corp. with info from 007 and see if that rings any bells on a retro kit.

TAMU62 · 07-29-2009, 02:20 PM

Blue Ribbon,,

I may have had a simular "sounding" problem with my 2005 Southwind. What I eventually found was the chassis frame came loose from the passenger side wall. After several failed attempts to make a fix I finally seemed to done it. I added 6 each #14X1" SS lag screws and five sticks of Migthy Puddy between the frame and sidewall. It's still quiet after about a year and a half. I believe the problem was the result of poor design plus poor workmanship causing a gap between the frame and the sidewall. Good luck.

"007" · 07-29-2009, 03:42 PM

Found this old thread explaining the noise found on older WH chassis. There was link to photo showing the problem between the front and rear of spring on passenger side, they are missing from thread maybe who ever post them will repost.
The thread pretty much explains the problem.