Community Forums

YosemiteBobR · 02-20-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilgreek7

Our new Dolphin has been awesome. What a great way to travel! Before leaving the dealership we heard a bang in the front end on the driver's side. After an inspection by the techs, everything looked good, tight steering and joints. I believed it was the shocks causing the problem noise.

Couple of things it could be. In mine, I had to change out the torsion bar (square bar just under the front end from side to side) to a larger torsion bar, I bought that from workhorse. The other things it could be sense you had your shocks changed, is your weight distribution, did you check that? Oh, and just out of the sake of checking. Again, in mine the small angle iron, or 1/2" square tubing (whatever they used at the time) under the front end that goes from frame to house frame (a diagonal) broke lose and was just hanging there hitting the frame every time I hit a bump.
Sounds like you are having an awesome time, it's great to hear. Keep us posted in your travels.

Safe trip
Bob

lilgreek7 · 02-27-2011, 07:09 PM

Would like to hear some input about air bags. I just wish the unit should drive alil smoother. I was told something about air bags on the leaf springs. Only checked into Firestone and Airlift, but they advertise about keeping level, load proportion, etc.. I want to smooth out the ride on those bad stretches of interstate. Air Bags,,, Air Springs?? I just put new shocks on the front end. It appears from the websites that its pretty easy to install. Just wondering if it's worth investing in....any stories??? I appreciate it very much. Can't wait for spring to clean it up from our last trip. Way too cold here now for that. Hope to see ya on the road! Thanks Again, Patrick

**JohnRR** · 02-27-2011, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilgreek7

I just wish the unit should drive alil smoother.

Consider trying to find some aluminum wheels for it.

Fred and Bonnie · 02-27-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilgreek7

I just put new shocks on the front end.

What shocks were installed, most posters have good results with Koni FSD.

fred

mikf · 02-27-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRR

Consider trying to find some aluminum wheels for it.

John, are saying aluminum wheels will make it ride smoother????

M&EM · 02-27-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilgreek7

Hello gang! Before leaving the dealership we heard a bang in the front end on the driver's side. After an inspection by the techs, everything looked good, tight steering and joints. ----- the knock showed it's face again. ------ Any ideas what this knock could be? -------!

.

Had similar noises on mine when it was new. Turned out to be missing nylon spacers between the leaves of the front springs. Replaced spacers and noise never occurred again. Regarding hard ride, I went to Bilsteins first to cure too soft a ride and severe jouncing. They solved that problem but did ride harder. Then, 2 years later switched to Koni FSD shocks. Biggest ride improvement to date! More recently I have added Sumo springs front and rear that seem to muffle some of the road noises. Too soon to judge if the ride is improved.

Marty

lilgreek7 · 02-27-2011, 08:27 PM

It had Bilsteins on it, but heard some knock when we turned and hit a pothole, so the dealership changed them out with new shocks. Bilsteins were going to be 5 days out, didnt have the time to wait,so they put on HD monroe shocks. I have never heard of Koni FSD. So, youre saying the air bags won't help with the ride, or it would be a waste of money. Thanks for the input...

M&EM · 02-27-2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilgreek7

It had Bilsteins on it, but heard some knock when we turned and hit a pothole, so the dealership changed them out with new shocks. Bilsteins were going to be 5 days out, didnt have the time to wait,so they put on HD monroe shocks. I have never heard of Koni FSD. So, youre saying the air bags won't help with the ride, or it would be a waste of money. Thanks for the input...

???I didn't say anything about airbags! Haven't tried them.

Scooter · 07-03-2011, 07:12 PM

The "bang" could be a loose heat shield.

We are buying a 2003 Dolphin LX 6355 and heard a similar noise. It went to a W/H repair shop for the brake caliper recall and they also found a loose heat shield or two.

BTW our Dolphin lacks an Owner's Manual.

Is there anyone out there who can make me a copy and send it to me? I will pay big bucks for this. Thanks. You can PM me.

M&EM · 07-03-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter

The "bang" could be a loose heat shield.

We are buying a 2003 Dolphin LX 6355 and heard a similar noise. It went to a W/H repair shop for the brake caliper recall and they also found a loose heat shield or two.

BTW our Dolphin lacks an Owner's Manual.

Is there anyone out there who can make me a copy and send it to me? I will pay big bucks for this. Thanks. You can PM me.

Found several heat shields with poor/broken spot welds allowing them to "oil can" under certain road conditions. Also found the sheet metal storage compartment walls would also "oil can" with out much coaxing.

The fix I applied after factory visits had none to offer included metal angle iron attached diagonal to the large wall areas. Used sheet metal screws and/or pop rivets.

Most of the heat shields that rested atop the frame rails were sparsely/pooly tack welded. In 2004 I used Home Depots' PL Polyurethane roof and flashing adhesive/sealant. This stuff is messy to work with but with latex gloves and simple wedges, it was easy to apply a good bead either side of broken welds and anywhere there was excessive slack to insert a bead of the stuff. It cures like a flexable adhisve similar to that used for holding wind shields in place. Depending on original welds some popping "oil canning" may still occur.

I used same sealant glopped on and worked in with the aid of latex gloved hands and fingers to permanently seal all outside seams/joints of all the storage compartments.

Marty

lilgreek7 · 08-18-2011, 11:51 PM

Well Gang, I'm in my coach tonight, weather is awesome. I went down to Memphis to pick it up last month, finally they finished with installing a reman 8.1L engine in my coach. Had only put on 4500 miles on it and the oil shaft cam broke in the middle of traveling. Thank God I purchased a extended warranty co. They were a pain in the first couple of weeks. After all said and done. The WH dealership did a great job putting the engine in and also found a bad Oxy sensor. I was able to speak with the tech taht installed it. I feel very comfortable with his work ethics and honesty. They told me before I get home be sure to changed the brake-in oil at 500 miles. Got that done in N. Illinois and headed the rest of the way home, for a total of 820 miles. keeping the speeds alternating between 53-62mph with this break-in oil till the big change..lol But it ran so good. I'm very pleased. looking to get one more trip to Michigan, the UP area, before the colder weather comes down. I am believing that we are going to have many awesome trips in the future. Thanks for all ya'lls help and encouragement. I will keep you posted.

Patrick and MICHELE AND TWO LIL GIRLS (pups)

Scooter · 08-19-2011, 06:53 AM

From whom did you buy your extended service contract and what was the name of the insurance company?

**JohnRR** · 08-19-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilgreek7

looking to get one more trip to Michigan, the UP area, before the colder weather comes down.

The weather is still good here in the UP but don't wait too long. The Marquette City Municipal garage has a free dump site but no running water at the location.

lilgreek7 · 08-21-2011, 12:53 PM

The extended warranty co. is called XtraRide, RVDA endorsed since 1992. We had purchased the Platinum coverage policy at a cost of $3300, for coverage for 3yrs. I believe it was well worth it, just for the peace of mind. Their number is 1-800-323-5771. Good Luck!

@ JohnRR... Thanks for the info and hope to get up there soon.