Clunking Noise

[Cat320]

We have a clunking noise somewhere under the passenger's seat. It clunks at all speeds (even at a walking pace) and on all roads unless the road is very smooth asphalt. My guess is it's the generator, that is on a slide out that comes out the front. Since it does it even when going very slowly, it's as if the gen is on a seesaw, and is rocking back and forth. I've crawled under there and can't see anything.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[ajbjrvers]

i had a clunking noise, thought it was front end, spartan found corrosion on front brakes, don't know if this info helps A. J.

[Cat320]

Took the MH to an AC dealer, they could not find the noise, although they admit is it there and very irritating. Said take it to a Spartan dealer.

[cat938g]

I also have a clunking noise exactly as described by cat320. Crawled under the chassis and could only find the steering ball joint rubber is torn on the right side.
(driver side) maybe worn ball joint? I would be very interested in what cat320 finds, and will post what I find

[RVNeophytes2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat938g I also have a clunking noise exactly as described by cat320. Crawled under the chassis and could only find the steering ball joint rubber is torn on the right side. (driver side) maybe worn ball joint? I would be very interested in what cat320 finds, and will post what I find

Ditto, here.

At first, I thought a broken generator exhaust strap was letting the pipe hit the steel cage.

Then, I thought it might be the jack springs contacting the housing.

I was pulling out my hair: the chassis passed a safety check, I put on new Koni FSDs, tightened everything I could find, raised the tires and banged/kicked/pushed. Nothing. 'Found a drag link boot broken, replaced the link.

Then, I noted that the tie-rod end boot is split; but, the joints are tight and perfect (I'll clean, install new NAPA universal boots, regrease).

THEN, I noticed that a small bushing on the anti-sway bar had shed its flange, a tiny strip of plastic.

Spartan sent me eight new bushings, the blue poly tophat variety. They promised to send lube, and forgot to enclose the stuff. Well, I couldn't find the recommended prelube, later discovered synthetic grease works just as well.

When I pulled the lower part of the bar (no load, so easy to do after putting down jacks, chocking, using jackstands for safety), the big 9/16 bolts securing the whole thing to the axle were both rusted and mildly deformed.

Fastenal sold me a new set, and I slathered all bushings in synthetic grease before assembling. Lo and behold, the steel plates that contact the axle were buffed to a nice shine, as was the axle. I turned the rough side toward the axle, reassembled everything, and laid hi-density closed cell foam pads under the bolts. Using a jack, I lifted the lower portion of the anti-sway bar level to the axle before torquing the bolts to 169 ft lbs.

Yes, I was holding my breath on this morning's test drive. And... dead silence. Not a thunk or clunk. Finally, the beast is dead. For the low, low cost of $80!


(Later today, I'll crawl back underneath and re-torque everything, now that it has been driven)

[williek68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320 We have a clunking noise somewhere under the passenger's seat. It clunks at all speeds (even at a walking pace) and on all roads unless the road is very smooth asphalt. My guess is it's the generator, that is on a slide out that comes out the front. Since it does it even when going very slowly, it's as if the gen is on a seesaw, and is rocking back and forth. I've crawled under there and can't see anything. Any suggestions appreciated.

2006 american tradition with spartin chassis,same noise under passenger seat ,new konis and found a loose shock bolt not holding shock spacer tight.noise gone.