Ford F53 Chassis Problem

[gmoffatt]

I have a fair and fairly new 2011 Winnabego Itasca 32' class A MH. The unit was purchased in April 2011.

When driving on the highway at 60mph there is a loud noise that appears to be coming from the rear of the coach. This noise goes away when I ease off the gas and when I reach 65 mph. No noise until I reach around 59 mph. The noise is hard to describe but is like a jet coming through the coach. Loud wining and a wind like wooshing sound. This noise has been there since I purchased the vehicle new and only at the same speed.

I had three different Ford general managers diagnose the problem as crown and pinion and had the crown and pinion and bearings replaced in April 2012 and the drive shaft balanced. All on warrenty thank goodness. It still makes the same noise. It is so loud that it is hard to have a conversation in the front while driving.

I recently tried changing the angle of the drive shafts. (No change) and had all 6 tires rebalanced (no change). I am very frustrated with Ford for not being able to isolate and fixthis problem.

Any suggestions out there in the internet world?

Gord

[JMonroe]

I've never owned a heavy duty rig that the rear end didn't 'howl' at some speed or another. Each was at a different speed. Our current rig, 45 - 50, under the right conditions. You may not have anything to be worried about, but without being able to hear it that attempt at reassurance is worth about what I charged you for it.

[ga traveler]

If Ford worked on your MH, you have a problem. They would never agree to work on a MH that did not have a real problem. This is NOT normal. No motorhome should be so loud that you can't carry on a conversation while driving. Stay on Ford until they find out what is wrong. Be nice but Be firm is the old saying that still applies.

[1skatingrin]

take notice at what rpm this happens at, than slow down and down shift one gear and see if the sound occurs at the same rpm again might just be something as simple as exhaust resonation or vibration.good luck

[Pirate]

I have read of some guys putting up with it until they finally had Ford change the entire rear end. They didn't do it willingly.

[bronk]

A friend of mine purchased the same coach and had the same issue - loud whining sound from the rear. It was diagnosed as a rusted ring and pinion gear. As it turns out, the coach had sat in a dealer's lot for over a year without being driven, thus the rusted parts. He had the motor home serviced at a non-Ford garage that specialized in larger truck service. He bought the motor home from a dealer in Florida, and noticed the noise on the test drive. The dealership paid for the repair and replacement to the tune of just under $4,000 - not cheap but no more sound. I do think that his is a 2010, however, but it should be the same drivetrain as what you have. I would have it checked again by a reputable drivetrain shop;it could be the lash or spacing was set incorrectly at the Ford facility.

Good luck with finding out what the problem is and getting it repaired. There is nothing like an obnoxious noise that cannot be located.

Bronk

[ARFFMAN]

Just a wild thought. You said you had tire balanced. Did you have tire rotated? Front tires to rear to see if noise changes in location?

[Mekanic]

Originally Posted by Pirate

I have read of some guys putting up with it until they finally had Ford change the entire rear end. They didn't do it willingly.

/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ This
Don't take no for a answer.

[gmoffatt]

Originally Posted by ga traveler

If Ford worked on your MH, you have a problem. They would never agree to work on a MH that did not have a real problem. This is NOT normal. No motorhome should be so loud that you can't carry on a conversation while driving. Stay on Ford until they find out what is wrong. Be nice but Be firm is the old saying that still applies.

Thanks for the advise. I will persist!!

[gmoffatt]

Originally Posted by bronk

A friend of mine purchased the same coach and had the same issue - loud whining sound from the rear. It was diagnosed as a rusted ring and pinion gear. As it turns out, the coach had sat in a dealer's lot for over a year without being driven, thus the rusted parts. He had the motor home serviced at a non-Ford garage that specialized in larger truck service. He bought the motor home from a dealer in Florida, and noticed the noise on the test drive. The dealership paid for the repair and replacement to the tune of just under $4,000 - not cheap but no more sound. I do think that his is a 2010, however, but it should be the same drivetrain as what you have. I would have it checked again by a reputable drivetrain shop;it could be the lash or spacing was set incorrectly at the Ford facility.

Good luck with finding out what the problem is and getting it repaired. There is nothing like an obnoxious noise that cannot be located.

Bronk

crown,pinon and bearings have been replaced already....problem where i live is no drivetrain folks closer that 1500 miles. Will continue to track this down. Thanks.

[gmoffatt]

tires were rotated when balanced. But thanks for the idea.

[gmoffatt]

Good suggestion. I took it out of OD and brought it up to 60 mps and same noise at same rev. 2150. Arrrg

[gmoffatt]

Originally Posted by Pirate

I have read of some guys putting up with it until they finally had Ford change the entire rear end. They didn't do it willingly.

They have already changed crown,pinion and bearings with no issue at all. They may be reluctant to change it out twice..... Thanks

[JimM68]

F53's are noisy. Always have been, always will be.

Tho, when we had ours, you sure couldn't hear the rearend over that v10 screaming betweeen yoyur legs.
Still, the kids never chose to go take a nap ib the bedroom.
They do now, guess that rear engine cummins jsut luls them to sleep?