Possible Rear End Deficiency, late 04's, early 05's

[EngineerMike]

Bill- Welcome to iRV2!!

[Dave Fernandez]

Welcome to IRV2 and the Alpine Fourm.

[EngineerMike]

75234, an 05-36FDDS has the 5/8 bolts in two columns of 3 ea., i.e. not correct bolts.

75041, an 04-40Avalanche has 3/4 bolts in two columns of 3 ea., i.e. an earlier coach by 200 coach numbers but w/the correct bolts.

[gator67]

I have a 2005, VIN # 75335 (outside the apparently affected range), and it has two rows of vertical bolts and the bolt heads are 15/16", so I am in the affected group. I just had new tires put on the rear, and after 50,000 miles on the old ones, they didn't show unusual wear. But, I will have the situation rectified. What kind of shop, or shops, should I look for to do that kind of work? We will be in the Seattle area in July and then in Michigan later in the summer, if there are any specific suggestions.

[Mike Gamble]

Our 40MDTS is an early 05 model, we purchased it in March of 04. it’s chassis number 75214
In the summer of 2004 we were traveling through the coast range of hills in Oregon, and every time I would engage the jake brake the coach would suddenly swerve. I reported this to the dealer (Holiday Motor Homes – Fife) and they said WRV insisted that the coach must go to Yakima “IMMEDIATELY”….so, I took the coach to Fife, then WRV picked it up and took it back to the factory, returning it to Fife about 10 days later (I could be mistaken about the time it took to repair). WRV and Holiday Motor Homes never would reveal how they had repaired the sudden swerving…but I was convinced that the added drag on the real axle was causing one side of the attachment to move to the rear. It’s never done it since.
By the way, WRV refused to reimburse me for the fuel used in driving the coach from Fife to Yakima and back......I now consider that normal behavior for them....pre-bankruptcy!

[Renipladlo]

All & EM,
I was under mine Friday lubing the rear end and I cannot tell from the drawing where exactly I should be looking.

Well in looking over this entire post, I did see the picture EM posted, now I know esactly what to look for next time. However, it appears that the output shaft from the transmission to the rear differential did not look like it was straight there was a little offset it appeared. Now then I checked where the whole assembly mated to the frame, while on my back and looking up and could not determine any shifting or any kind of wear marks between those assemblies. I do not get any shifting, or any different driving problems when going down the road, with the engine brake engaged or dis-engaged. I don't think my coach is affected, mainly because of the much higher build number/date. But I would like to make sure, so asking for a picture.
Thanks in advance.

[JohnLori]

Monty, I think there are only a few coaches after mine that have the problem. Mine is a 2005, serial #75320.

Here is a picture of the bolts: they are a little difficult to see in front of the rear tires. Previous posts by EM describe how to tell if they're the right size.

[EngineerMike]

John's photo is of the PS rear tire well, ahead of the tire and behind the utility bay bulkhead. The two vertical columns of bolts are the pattern that started w/the undersized 5/8" bolts (15/16" heads). Those w/the pattern shown in post#30 above are before the pattern shown in John's photo and prior to the problem.

If you have a late 04 or early 05, and see the pattern per John's photo, check the bolt head size.

[JLMunsil]

While under my 2008 coach #75755 I looked at the mounting bolts for the rear suspension just to be sure WRV didn't have some 5/8 bolts left over when they built it. The bolt heads were 1 1/8 like they should be,but being that I can't look without touching I grabbed one of the bolt heads. It moved about 1/8 of an inch. It and another turned by hand. I got my 2 ft breaker bar and tightened what I could. This was on the right side. I had the same swerve when the jake brake came on. I took it to an alignment shop. They said the rear end was off track by 1/4 inch. (speck is 1/32 inch) They realigned and torqued the bolts. I had 7000 miles on coach purchased in Nov 2009.

[Wingding]

Well... I had to hold my breath and go check the #........ 75236......... SAVED!

[alpinehardy]

We have the 15/16" bolts. darn. How come we have not heard of this before now? Our coach vin is 75304. Does Anyone know of a good repair shop in Utah? Also how come WRV didn't say anything about this, we were there in 06.

[Dave Fernandez]

Alpine Hardy I would like to say Hello and Welcome to IRV2 and hope you join us at one of the Many Alpine rallies we have. Here are some of web sites for Alpines.

Alpine Coach Association
Alpine So Cal RV Club
Alpine Coach East

[EngineerMike]

Hardy- if the rear axle hasn't moved it is an easy fix. Just remove one bolt, drill our the frame, replace w/proper bolt & torque. Do the next bolt, then the next... till you have 12 new bolts. The fix was under $500 for those who have been to professional frame shops for the work.
If the rear axle has moved, you will need a 4 wheel alignment.

Hope to see you in Quartzite in January.

[Dave Stanley]

I just checked my 2005 Alpine VIN # 75334 and I too have the 15/16 heads. Looking for someone in the Sacramento area for a repair. Anyone know a place near Vacaville or Sac, CA, etc. I guess you can expand the number from 75330 to 75335 per a previous input. No problem yet with 29,000 miles Dave Stanley