F53 Steering Linkage Boot

[z3406]

FWIW
If you have ever changed the oil on the Onan generators it takes a verrrrrrrrrrry long time to fully fill it. Can't use any shortcuts just have to keep adding oil a little bit at a time so it doesn't overflow the fill opening and gets inside where it needs to go. Not at all surprised that anyone other than an owner or Onan specialist didn't get it right.

[computerguy]

Originally Posted by z3406

FWIW
If you have ever changed the oil on the Onan generators it takes a verrrrrrrrrrry long time to fully fill it. Can't use any shortcuts just have to keep adding oil a little bit at a time so it doesn't overflow the fill opening and gets inside where it needs to go. Not at all surprised that anyone other than an owner or Onan specialist didn't get it right.

Yep, I agree wholeheartedly.
BUT
Even I know you should always start the engine (any engine) after filling it let it come to temperature then turn it off and check the level.
The tech did neither.
Just another reason to do all maintenance yourself whenever possible. I took a shortcut because I didn't have a grease gun. I let Ford attempt to do it all. Shame on me.
I am still giving the tech the benefit of the doubt on the grease boot. NOT the genset oil problem. The SA even said they do the gensets all the time. Apparently not this tech.
But also, maybe some good came out if it. The boot cracking would not have been noticed by me for possibly a long time and maybe out of warranty. Still yet to see if I they will fix the boot issue. Time will tell...

[grtharris]

computerguy, the issue as popped up a few times in the past.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/f53-2...ts-265925.html
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/drag-...nt-264528.html

[computerguy]

Originally Posted by grtharris

computerguy, the issue as popped up a few times in the past.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/f53-2...ts-265925.html
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/drag-...nt-264528.html

Hmmm. Thanks. Guess I should have done a search first
So much for thinking I know it all
Been a member for a long time and try and soak everything in. Ol brain ain't good as it once was.
Seems like it happens and should be a warranty item for sure. Mine is a 22K chassis. At least one other was a 24K.
Ford will make good for it under warranty...

[JIMBO34PA]

just looked at mine. Its split too. only 8k miles. because the pitman arm has such long travel is it rotating too much.? I will bring up at next Ford service. Needs more robust boot. mine doesnt seem like over lubed wonder if theres a split in it from factory?

[halfprice]

Just got the call from Ford. New boot has been installed and my mh is ready to be picked up

[halfprice]

Just got back from Ford. Its raining pretty hard here so i didnt really talk to the SA about the fix.

Got home and read the paperwork. They replaced the entire drag link. Paperwork said there was no boot replacement. $350ish was total all done on warranty

Jerry

[grtharris]

halfprice No replacement boot was what I ran into until I got the number off of the boot and found them on line, less that the complete arm.

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by CJ7365

Agree with Dave, 2016 already dry rotting parts, I would take it back to Ford, I would be checking all components rubber

My 2016 drag link boot did the same thing prior to any service. At least one Thread exists on this it is somewhat common, the drag link turns side ways and boot gets pinched. I followed this link and repaired mine for less then $10. Would have spent way more for gas to take it in for warranty work. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/drag-...nt-264528.html

[bepar108]

Originally Posted by computerguy

Seems like the maintenance never ends. But this has a twist maybe?
I brought my unit in to the local Ford dealer for some work. Had them grease the chassis, change the engine and genset oil.
When I picked it up I could not start the genset. There was no 12v to the house. The service adviser scratched his head. Ended up getting an actual RV tech to look at it. For whatever reason the BCC needed to be disconnected and reconnected. I think this reset the solenoid. OK, so now we had power. I drive it home with the genset on and when I got home I noticed the genset stalled and would not stay running. Ugh, ok, so now I start troubleshooting. I have an AGS so ok, thought maybe this is the problem. Diagnose troubleshoot and can't figure it out. Get out the Onan manual and see there are codes displayed only on the start switch on the genset (not the remote start switch on the dash). Turns out it was a quart low on oil.
I call the SA and tell him what I found. He apologizes and said he'd give me the oil. I filler'up and all seems good.
This weekend I am doing so rolling around on my crawler under the coach and I find the boot on the steering connection is sliced off.
Anyone think this damage happened when they were greasing the chassis? Should I even bother to have Ford fix this? I have not driven it but a few miles from the dealer to my house to storage and back to my house all on side roads.

Checked the linkage after reading this post and found the same exact boot torn the same way.

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by bepar108

Checked the linkage after reading this post and found the same exact boot torn the same way.

It appears to be a poor design and when the rod twists the boot gets pinched. Should become a safety recall. Lack of grease will lead to premature failure of a steering component.

[Bsqrd]

Originally Posted by Stuart W

It appears to be a poor design and when the rod twists the boot gets pinched. Should become a safety recall. Lack of grease will lead to premature failure of a steering component.

[emoji106] I just had my second drag link installed in just over a year. They need to fix this!

[twinboat]

If your turning the steering wheel until it stops and holding it there while maneuvering, try letting off a 1/4 turn of the wheel after it stops.

That may take some of the twisting out of the drag link and not pinch the boot.

[KTM251ss]

I recently had a drag link replaced under Ford Warranty in early October 2019. 2016 F53 22k# chassis. Will keep an eye on it.