Ridewell RD-246 Parts Manual and Bushing Source

[BrianGlenn]

2007 Country Coach Allure with Ridewell RD-246 Two airbag suspension (rear suspension).

My walking beam bushings and tag axle mount bushings need replacement.

Does anyone have a copy of a Ridewell RD-246 parts/installation manual with parts breakout? I need to order new walking beam bushings (4) and tag axle mount bushings (4).

Once I get the part numbers I will also need a source. Anyone replace their bushings in a Ridewell RD-246 recently?

The Ridewell site shows the RADT246, but not the RD-246.


Quick schematic attached from my owners manual on RD-246

Brian

[smlranger]

Curious what symptoms you have that alerted you to this need. Also was Greg at winne/CC any help with parts identification?

[BrianGlenn]

Originally Posted by smlranger

Curious what symptoms you have that alerted you to this need. Also was Greg at winne/CC any help with parts identification?

I plan to call down to Greg later this week.

Annual suspension inspection, went to a new shop that is "old school". Have a sqeak in the front suspension; am thinking its the stabilizer bushing. The 60 year old owner climbs unto the pit, looks at the front, nods OK, goes to the back and glances at walking beam bushings and tag mounts and says - those are shot.....

Short story longer.....the walking beam pivot bolt is twisting in the bushing and the walking beam is no longer true perpendicular to frame. Gives a bit of dog wag/wobble in the back end. I can only explain a bit of looseness in back end on turns/load shifts to left/right.

Couple of pictures....

Brian

[Ilvmygt]

If you get the manufacture label plate information off the axle and email it to Ridewell they well send you the parts breakdown. They were very forthcoming when I ask for information on the Ridewell 227 on my Magna.

[IASM]

Might help.

[BrianGlenn]

Originally Posted by Ilvmygt

If you get the manufacture label plate information off the axle and email it to Ridewell they well send you the parts breakdown. They were very forthcoming when I ask for information on the Ridewell 227 on my Magna.

Looked all over the assembly, no metal tag and if there was a stick on one - its long gone....

[BrianGlenn]

Originally Posted by IASM

Might help.

This is great information (engineered drawing) for the RADT-246 Four airbag, however mine is the RD-246 TWO airbag setup. I am not confident the bushings would be similar part numbers as pivot points are different and would certainly carry different loads.

The 227 series service manual does not apply, but thanks for the info. It may help other users....

You wouldn't happen to have the RD-246 two air bag engineering drawing?

I do have an email into Ridewell asking for the information. It's just bouncing around in their organization right now......

Brian

[BrianGlenn]

I heard back from Ridewell - they were extremely helpful.

I got all the part numbers from the engineered drawing for the Combo suspension used by Country Coach on my 2007 Allure. It is a combo RD-246 drive axle suspension with a RIT207 tag axle suspension. Two airbag on drive axle.

If others are thinking of similar work I have attached my part list to replace the walking beam bushings (4 in total) and the tag axle mount bushing (4 in total). The hardware (eccentric bolts, locking washers, nuts etc) is also included as Ridewell recommends changing all hardware when bushings are changed. A good practise anytime bushings are changed out, no matter what application......

Further discussion for my suspension - I don't think the previous suspension shops (me or previous owners if inspected) checked/tightened up all the connections. Ridewell recommends retorquing all connecctions after 6000 miles and then after each 50,000 miles. Pretty sure mine was not done previously.

In your next suspension checkup insist the bolts are checked for proper torque and bushings inspected. I've added another picture of my sad looking walking beam axle mount bushing.

Hope this helps others.
Brian