American Coach: 1998 American Eagle Ball Joints

[goldenarches]

I have a 1998 American Eagle 40 ft that needs ball joinys. Bad news they don't make these any longer. Any ideas???

[mel s]

Originally Posted by goldenarches

I have a 1998 American Eagle 40 ft that needs ball joinys. Bad news they don't make these any longer. Any ideas???

goldenarches
Where did you hear that "they don't make these any longer"?
RV suspension/chassis parts are ordinary truck parts.
Methinks any service shop that does heavy duty truck spring and suspension work will have a source any part you need.

[gacamp]

That is news as I had mine replaced last year without issue at Josams in Orlando. Now it does take special tools so many places won't/cannot do them. Being a Spartan chassis I contacted to Spartan authorized truck shops and both said they would not do that job because of the tools that they did not have.

[mackwrench]

Parts are still available. Where are you located? You'll need to find a big enough truck/bus shop that can or willing to do it. It's not a horrible job but is time consuming.

Look at all the other ft end parts as well, tie rods, shocks etc....they all went the same places.....

Here's a service manual on what your coach front suspension maybe....

http://www.spartanchassis.com/cps/lo...3404218750.PDF

[Gary RVRoamer]

Agree with the others. If you can't get info elsewhere, Spartan Chassis can probably help. You have a Spartan Mountain Master chassis.

[goldenarches]

I called Reyco Grannis Suspensions & they told me this. Thanks for sharing the encouraging info. Super news!!

[goldenarches]

Originally Posted by gacamp

That is news as I had mine replaced last year without issue at Josams in Orlando. Now it does take special tools so many places won't/cannot do them. Being a Spartan chassis I contacted to Spartan authorized truck shops and both said they would not do that job because of the tools that they did not have.

So true after hearing they can be replaced I am searching for a place to get mine replaced. Live in SC so still looking. If lived closer to Fl would contact the place you mentioned. Will put them down for future reference. Thx

[goldenarches]

Thanks for all the info! We have a couple large truck repair places here in SC but haven't found one that has or is willing to tackle this. You are so right about other parts being worn. Probably air bags too. Will make a list of parts needing to be checked. Manuel will be a super reference. If I was younger would trade. Had this coach since 99 & have kept it up. Now a little play in steering so know it needs some work.

[mackwrench]

The Cummins dist. in Columbia is a Spartan chassis service dealer. I've bought parts there once and seems like knowledgeable people. Also a Google search of tractor/trailer spring & frame shops may turn up a shop. A lot of big truck frame repair shop do front end repair.

Cummins Atlantic, Inc.

2791 Shop Road Extension
Columbia, SC 29209
Phone: (803) 799-2410
Fax: (803) 779-3427
Email: thomas.d.beery@cummins.com
Website: www.atlantic.cummins.com

[mackwrench]

Air Bags? Been there, done that.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f25/air-b...nt-291945.html

[goldenarches]

You are very helpful with all the ingo. Thanks so much. Do you think my 98 has same air bags as 99? Will call Spartan to ask them. I've used Cummins in Columbia for air compressor problems & had a bad experience. Had an air leak causing coach to lose air & they couldn't figure out the problem. Issues can happen anywhere I know. Getting parts from them would work. Thanks!!

[Gary RVRoamer]

Maybe Granning doesn't make them but there is an aftermarket source? Seems hard to believe that suspension & steering parts aren't available for a 18 year old chassis - old trucks run forever.

[GlennLever]

Call American Coach.

Call Spartan

Find out what axle is under the front and get a parts list for that axle.

My front axle is in three different areas (the carrier, the suspension, and the axle)