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01-17-2017, 08:43 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FT on the Road
Posts: 3,829
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F53 Steering Linkage Boot
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.
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01-17-2017, 09:01 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 182
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This might be a bit a both a Ford issue and a shop issue.
I looked closer at your pictures and I have to say that there is a fair amount of cracking in that boot for a 2016. This combined with the shop making it worse when they were greasing.
I would start by heading over to the service station first.
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Dave Stephens
Sales - Tech Support - Media
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01-17-2017, 09:15 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 2,514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperSteer
This might be a bit a both a Ford issue and a shop issue.
I looked closer at your pictures and I have to say that there is a fair amount of cracking in that boot for a 2016. This combined with the shop making it worse when they were greasing.
I would start by heading over to the service station first.
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Dave Stephens
Sales - Tech Support - Media
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Agree with Dave, 2016 already dry rotting parts, I would take it back to Ford, I would be checking all components rubber
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2005 Tiffin Allegro Bay 37DB
W22 Workhorse Chassis 8.1 Flat Towing a 82 Jeep CJ7
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01-17-2017, 09:28 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FT on the Road
Posts: 3,829
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You guys are the best!
I was so focused on the tear I didn't even look beyond that.
Will be talking to the SA.
As always - Thanks!
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01-17-2017, 03:42 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lowell, Arkansas
Posts: 7,297
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Lets assume that the damage to the boot was already done. How would/could that happen?? Maybe, just maybe in your travels you ran over a tree limb and a branch grabbed the boot and tore it. Other than that the boot should last for 10-15 years or even longer. It is not used as part of the chassis lubrication.
I also can't see how any technician would/could overlook a torn boot like that on a 2016 unit. That's assuming that the tech did not do the actual damage. I don't see how they could do it but who knows.
Great read (Dave) on the apparent failing (cracked) deteriorating boot. That for sure should now be a dealer replacement item. No way that boot should be in that shape this soon.
__________________
TeJay Auto Instructor/4-yrs USAF/ Liz: RN/ WBGO 2014 Vista 30T/ F-53/CHF/5-Star/Koni * Bella & Izzy * Golden /Cocker mix/ Louie The Cat* All Retired
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01-17-2017, 03:58 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FT on the Road
Posts: 3,829
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Tejay,
I was thinking the same thing about the tech not saying anything IF it actually was like that. It is certainly possible. But the FACT they didn't fill the genset with oil, didn't start the genset after replacing the oil really raised questions about the integrity of the person working on my RV. I would think the same person changed the engine oil, changed the genset oil and lubed the chassis.
That's why I added that info in my original post.
I also wanted feedback from others before I went in there with a chip on my shoulder (and I am glad I didn't). I can go in there really calm now with the cracking issue. I'll also check all the other boots before I go back.
It's going to be a couple weeks before I can actually get back there but I am going to give them a call.
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01-17-2017, 05:13 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Whittier, Ca
Posts: 311
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Wow i just logged on to post my problem and i find your thread
I crawled under the mh to lube the 9 front end fittings and found one boot ripped. It doesnt have the cracking yours has and its smaller.
I was going to ask if this needs to be fixed or is it no big deal
My mh is new ive only put 1500 miles on it
Jerry
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Jerry/Maria and Sasha 6lb Yorkie
2022 Renegade Valencia 38RB/ 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
FMCA # F464385
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01-17-2017, 05:28 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,317
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The boots in question seem to be clamped to the drag link end.
I remember greasing that type slowly, while poking the boot with my finger. Once it felt firm, I stopped, so it didn't blow open. There was no place for the grease to escape.
That was way back in the 80s, on L800 or larger trucks.
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01-17-2017, 06:40 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lowell, Arkansas
Posts: 7,297
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halfprice,
The purpose for the boot is to allow movement and still keep the metal surfaces covered with grease and to keep contaminants (dirt/water) out.
How important is it??? Those parts should last 30,000 to 50,000 miles or even more. Exactly how long on a truck of this size I'm not sure. There are others on these forums who worked with these chassis much more than I did. Based on how long they need to operate I'd say yes it is important.
The poster above (twinboat) alluded to the fact that while it is not difficult there is skill involved when performing a chassis lubrication. Something that simple can still be screwed up by an incompetent mechanic.
That's also why I do all my own work. Whenever possible I leave nothing to chance.
I'd take your coach back to the selling dealer or to whoever did the last chassis lube and have that boot replaced. If the dealer didn't lube the chassis then Ford did at the Ford chassis factory and they should still replace the boot under warranty.
__________________
TeJay Auto Instructor/4-yrs USAF/ Liz: RN/ WBGO 2014 Vista 30T/ F-53/CHF/5-Star/Koni * Bella & Izzy * Golden /Cocker mix/ Louie The Cat* All Retired
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01-18-2017, 08:16 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Whittier, Ca
Posts: 311
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Called my local Ford Commercial Truck service center. Explained the problem. SA yes bring it down for warranty repair. Dropped it off this afternoon. Sa said he will order the parts and hopefully get it done tomorrow. If not by Friday.
Jerry
__________________
Jerry/Maria and Sasha 6lb Yorkie
2022 Renegade Valencia 38RB/ 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
FMCA # F464385
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01-18-2017, 11:29 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Horse Town USA, CA.
Posts: 3,781
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Quote:
Originally Posted by computerguy
You guys are the best!
I was so focused on the tear I didn't even look beyond that.
Will be talking to the SA.
As always - Thanks!
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I would also question how much grease the tech injected into to the joint. Can see fresh grease on the zerk but no where else.
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1999 35 ft. Dolphin 5350, F53, Banks System, 5 Stars Tune, Air Lift Air Bags, Koni Shocks, Blue OX TruCenter, TigerTrak track bars F&R, Roadmaster 1-3/4" rear auxiliary sway bar, 2004 F450 Lariat Pickup 6.0 Diesel Crew Cab DRW, 4X4, GVWR 15,000, Front GAWR 6,000, Rear GAWR 11,000, GCWR 26,000,1994 36ft Avion 5er, GVWR 13,700, 2,740 Pin Weight.
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01-19-2017, 07:25 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lowell, Arkansas
Posts: 7,297
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halfprice,
Great that they stepped up and did what they should have. Do compliment them and the the techs. Making $$$$$ is good but thanks is also a good reward. Lets hope that the OP has a similar experience.
I've only been doing things like this for 40+ years and don't consider my self an expert my any means. In all those years I've seldom seen a boot burst open in that fashion from just putting to much grease in under pressure. In most cases the grease will come out a weep hole designed in the rubber or just come out but never tear the boot as we see in your picture. Maybe others have had different experiences.
Most damage comes from using a pickle fork (wedge designed tool used to remove the tapered bolt holding the fitting together). I'm almost positive that name is generic. Some call it a "Tie rod removal tool." That tool will almost always cut the boot. Your system has few miles on it so to me it's still a mystery as to the cause of the tear.
__________________
TeJay Auto Instructor/4-yrs USAF/ Liz: RN/ WBGO 2014 Vista 30T/ F-53/CHF/5-Star/Koni * Bella & Izzy * Golden /Cocker mix/ Louie The Cat* All Retired
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01-19-2017, 08:02 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FT on the Road
Posts: 3,829
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TeJay
FYI that is the second person reporting the same issue.
Hope it's not a systemic issue.
__________________
I don't subscribe to threads I reply to so will not see your reply to my comment. Drop me a direct message if you want a reply from me.
Cheers!
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01-19-2017, 08:24 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lowell, Arkansas
Posts: 7,297
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There have been times in the past when a major manufacturer buys a rubber product from a supplier that did fail while under warranty and eventually did become an issue for other owners.
One item in particular are the SB bushings made by or for Ford's F-53 chassis starting in 1999 and going up through the 2011 models. Those rubber bushings were made from a soy bean oil of some sorts. They would last 8-10 years then would just fall apart and off the units. We've seen pictures of those on other threads. Yes they lasted beyond the warranty period so Ford had no issue with them.
We are kind of seeing that with a number of F-53 chassis owners both new and older units that have loose rear SB brackets. Not saying that there is a defective part but something is not right. Bolts torqued to 66 ft lbs (as specified by Ford) should not be coming loose unless they were not correctly torqued or something else is happening.
__________________
TeJay Auto Instructor/4-yrs USAF/ Liz: RN/ WBGO 2014 Vista 30T/ F-53/CHF/5-Star/Koni * Bella & Izzy * Golden /Cocker mix/ Louie The Cat* All Retired
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