Left-side front suspension "Clonk"

[frankdamp]

We're reasonably happy with our newly acquired '02 Georgetown 325 (V-10/F53). We recognise that the chassis is an 11-ton truck, so we aren't expecting to be able to blow Porches off the road.

There is one annoying (but probably not life-threatening, I hope) issue. As the coach rolls around or if we're cornering, there's a fairly loud "Clonk" from the driver's side front suspoension, as it extends and contracts.

My guess is that it's a leaf-sping longitudinal movement over a rusty area, since the rig wasn't used for about 18 months before we bought it. Before our next trip, I plan to go under there with the rig as high as its levelling jacks will lift it, and give the springs and shackles a good dose of silicone lubricant.

Are there any real "gotchas" associated with this noise? I wouldn't like to blithely let it go on if there's some catastrophic failure lurking in the wings.

[LVJ58]

Ford TSB 04-11-2 is for 2001 & 2002 F53 Chassis and addresses the problem of:

• SUSPENSION - VEHICLE SWAY/LEAN DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS
• NOISE - SUSPENSION - POPPING NOISE IN FRONT END

The condition is caused by missing "Z" brackets designed to support the attachment of the sway bar links.

You might want to take your coach to a Heavy Duty Ford Repair Facility and have them check to see if your coach is missing the "Z" brackets, and if so, have them installed.

Good luck

[frankdamp]

Thanks for the heads-up, Jim. I'll go to Ford's website and take a look at that Service Bulletin, then visit a Ford "Heavy" center. Our local transit agency take their E450-based coaches to a Ford place in Burlington.

[LVJ58]

Hi Frank you're welcome, hope that's all the problem is. We love visiting WA state and Burlington is along our way when traveling up to the Birch Bay Lynden area.

Good luck with your coach,

Jim

[johnsonjm209]

Frank, I had that problem last year. I have a Holiday Rambler Vacationer '03 w/ a Ford Triton V10. Could not find the problem. Jacked up the front end and tried to duplicate the sound. I did, but couldn't figure out what caused it. The garage I go to has a great bunch of mechanics. Some of them are on the race track scene and drive their own or their parents motorhomes.
Anyway one of the guys walked alongside while I slowly drove the m/h. He heard the sound and took it inside. He found that a "hanger" attached to the frame and the front end suspension was slightly loose and that was enough to create the "clonk". It's been great since he tightened it up. So, you may look for a slightly loose hanger. (Hanger is the best "mechanical" phrase I can come up with.

Joe from Connecticut