Community Forums

tropical36 · 04-17-2008, 04:54 PM

I went out for a short run this morning to fill up with gas and propane....ugh!....excercise the generator, etc...and noticed a scraping or rubbing noise of sorts that sounded like it was coming from the left front wheel...when putting my ear out the window and it's noticable at a slow roll whether in drive or neutral. I lifted the front end off the ground with the jacks and spun both front wheels, which seem ok and normal with just a slight brushing sound of the brake pads. There's no slop in the drive train, so the only thing I can think of is possibly the auto park brake shoes might be loose and sticking or one of the driveshaft bearings might be dragging some.
Has anyone else had this experience or have any ideas of what the cause might be?

tropical36 · 04-17-2008, 04:54 PM

I went out for a short run this morning to fill up with gas and propane....ugh!....excercise the generator, etc...and noticed a scraping or rubbing noise of sorts that sounded like it was coming from the left front wheel...when putting my ear out the window and it's noticable at a slow roll whether in drive or neutral. I lifted the front end off the ground with the jacks and spun both front wheels, which seem ok and normal with just a slight brushing sound of the brake pads. There's no slop in the drive train, so the only thing I can think of is possibly the auto park brake shoes might be loose and sticking or one of the driveshaft bearings might be dragging some.
Has anyone else had this experience or have any ideas of what the cause might be?

abarkl · 04-17-2008, 08:29 PM

I've had a similar noise for a few years and traced it to the Dicor wheel covers. When I have removed and reinstalled them for tire replacement or brake service the noise either changes or goes away for awhile.

tropical36 · 04-18-2008, 03:50 AM

Today, I'm going to have someone drive it real slow, while I walk along side and see if I can't narrow it down a little more.

Bob (WA0MQE) · 04-18-2008, 04:54 AM

abarkl is correct. Most likely the noise is coming from your Dicor wheel covers. They flex as the wheel turns because they are so thin. You can take them off and drive the rig and if the noise is gone you know it's them. Also as "abarkl" states you can remount them and they may be quiet for awhile but the noise will probably return later.

tropical36 · 04-18-2008, 01:56 PM

Thankyee,...thankyee,..thankyee, as Gomer would say...to all who contributed with their inguenity and great ideas. You all hit it right..as it turned out to be the SS wheel covers that are made very thin compared to 20 yrs ago...I guess they do flex when they feel like it, as you said, causing this noise. I had DW drive it very slowly as I walked along side..it was the left front and a little from the right tag wheel. She stopped while I removed the covers and then proceeded again. Low and behold, the noise was gone. Hope this helps someone else, as these forums are the greatest. Now wonder what would have transpired if I would have taken this noise problem to my local dealer....Ummmmmmmm???

NeilV · 04-19-2008, 01:56 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by tropical36:
Thankyee,...thankyee,..thankyee, as Gomer would say...to all who contributed with their inguenity and great ideas. You all hit it right..as it turned out to be the SS wheel covers that are made very thin compared to 20 yrs ago...I guess they do flex when they feel like it, as you said, causing this noise. I had DW drive it very slowly as I walked along side..it was the left front and a little from the right tag wheel. She stopped while I removed the covers and then proceeded again. Low and behold, the noise was gone. Hope this helps someone else, as these forums are the greatest. Now wonder what would have transpired if I would have taken this noise problem to my local dealer....Ummmmmmmm??? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

At LazyDays it is $120 an hour to put a some tabs of closed cell weather strip at a few spots between the cover and the rim to stop the creaking.

tropical36 · 04-20-2008, 04:36 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">At LazyDays it is $120 an hour to put a some tabs of closed cell weather strip at a few spots between the cover and the rim to stop the creaking.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

So now we even have a cure for all those who might be having the same problem...thanks for your contribution. I was just glad it wasn't a bearing or something to do with the brakes... my ears aren't that good anyway.