Kick in the Pants

[Peterd503]

On my 2000 Bounder 32W F53 V10, when I am going slow(below 30) and turning some fairly sharp right hand turns, it feels like someone bangs the floor under my seat with a hammer. I have looked for something that might cause this but no luck so far. Any ideas?

[hdossett]

Had the same thing on my '01 Ford Chassis, Ford change out the suspension bushings. Not sure which ones, but there was TSB out for it. I was in for Transmission work. The tech did a search and found that other things to look at. Found a TSB on the vacuum system that would shut of the ventilation system on a slight incline. He also detected a leak from the Power Steering pump and replaced that. He was waiting for transmission parts so he had time.

That was @22,000 miles in 2004 (I think).

So, Transmission fixed (seals), A/C fixed (canister, I think), bumping under seat fixed (bushings), and PS pump replaced. All under warranty! Never saw any paper work, thus, not sure what the parts were. Front office was closed when I picked up the rig, and just drove away! The only Chassis problems I've had in ten years! (other than normal stuff)

With all that said, heard some knocking under the copilot seat a year or so ago! That was a worn out shock @ 60K miles, replaced all four (DIY, Monroe Gas Magnum RV, or, something like that). The shock was more of a banging sound and louder on a rough road, not related to turning. The bushing was more of a "thunking" sound and not related to road condition!

Good luck!

H

[frankdamp]

We have thet "kick-in-the-pants" knock also (01 F53/02 MH). It also occurs if the rig rolls significantly side to side.

There's a Ford Service Bulletin about it, but we've been moored for the winter and haven't looked into it yet. We got the rig last July and only put 19 nights camping before shutting down at the end of October.

There was snow in Bellingham this morning and Anacortes is suffering from 40-mph winds and rain right now (and it's about 44F). When fully recoverd from my back surgery, we hope to be out in late May.

[LVJ58]

Ford published TSB 04-11-2 May 27,2004 about some 2001-2004 F-53 motorhome vehicles that may exhibit a popping noise and/or sway/lean during slow speed turning maneuvers.

The corrective action was to install "Z" brackets to support the attachment of the front sway bar links.

You might want to check your sway bar and see if it has the "Z" brackets. If not, you may want to contact a Ford facility referencing TSB 04-11-2 and have the "Z" brackets installed.

I notice you have a 2000 chassis, and the TSB mentions 2001 through 2004 chassis, however they may have missed installing the brackets on yours. Just a thought

Best of Luck,

[frankdamp]

Thanks, Jim. That was the SB I was referring to. I couldn't just find the original thread.

[LVJ58]

Hey Frank, you're welcome, glad to be of help, have you checked to see if your "Z" brackets are missing?

Jim