Community Forums

CaymanPilot · 02-02-2016, 05:56 PM

Interested to hear if there were any discussions on RR4R sway improvements among our RR8 and RR4R friends around the bonfire at Q. Or maybe some dirt in the eye discussions underneath an RR4R concerning watts links and/or x-bars? So far, what I gather from the first 4 pages here is that better bushings (ATRO, UHMW) in the trailing arms, Panhard bars and the bar that connects the aft end of the two rear trailing arms may help. And that a Roadmaster or Source rear sway bar may also help although it has been debated in other threads.
I know Craig and Mike are going to work on the bushings on Mikes Cheetah and Chad is researching the sway bar.
I would like to officially volunteer my Cayman as a guinea pig for this thread and would like to begin with the bushings first simply because I like to get the cheap stuff out of the way first. I know the bushings themselves are not too expensive but installing them will raise the ante a bit. I have my local Truck Centers RV Tech lined up to install them for me. How do I order ATRO or UHMW bushings? Can I call them and order a set for a 09 Monaco Cayman (ya, right!) or do I need measurements for all the bushings eg trailing arm, panhard bar, trailing arm link? Will ATRO and/or UHMW sell to me or do I need to find one of their dealers that will? Anxious to get started.

onechaddude · 02-02-2016, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaymanPilot

Interested to hear if there were any discussions on RR4R sway improvements among our RR8 and RR4R friends around the bonfire at Q. Or maybe some dirt in the eye discussions underneath an RR4R concerning watts links and/or x-bars? So far, what I gather from the first 4 pages here is that better bushings (ATRO, UHMW) in the trailing arms, Panhard bars and the bar that connects the aft end of the two rear trailing arms may help. And that a Roadmaster or Source rear sway bar may also help although it has been debated in other threads.
I know Craig and Mike are going to work on the bushings on Mikes Cheetah and Chad is researching the sway bar.
I would like to officially volunteer my Cayman as a guinea pig for this thread and would like to begin with the bushings first simply because I like to get the cheap stuff out of the way first. I know the bushings themselves are not too expensive but installing them will raise the ante a bit. I have my local Truck Centers RV Tech lined up to install them for me. How do I order ATRO or UHMW bushings? Can I call them and order a set for a 09 Monaco Cayman (ya, right!) or do I need measurements for all the bushings eg trailing arm, panhard bar, trailing arm link? Will ATRO and/or UHMW sell to me or do I need to find one of their dealers that will? Anxious to get started.

Caymanpilot. I guess great minds think alike. I was just logging on here to let everyone know what's going on. I have been searching best I could on the Internet trying to find pics of available sway bars for our rr4r. What I found is no one other than roadmaster makes one. The ONLY pic I could find was in a short YouTube video from supersteer. Last week I spoke with a nice guy at supersteer to confirm there are no instructions with the bar. I called him back yesterday to ask if he could get me some pics of the bar installed. He sent me them late this afternoon.

After seeing the pics I believe the install is pretty straightforward. So I called him and went ahead and ordered the bar. He gave me a pretty good deal on it and had it in stock. I should get it middle of next week and will start trying to get it on. I believe the worst part will be loosening and retightening the u bolts that go around the axle and trailing arm. There's a bracket that slides under both the u bolts. The frame mounts require 2 holes drilled on each side but look to be pretty simple. Hopefully it will go well.

Please keep all your part numbers for the bushings. I'm very curious to see if those make a difference in the handle, just like if the sway bar makes a difference. According to the short video the sway bar reduces the slow speed rocking when entering and exiting driveways.

If anyone is interested in the pics of the sway bar let me know and I'll forward them if you send me an email address.

Chad

CrazyKnight · 02-02-2016, 08:05 PM

Yes..I crawled under quite a few RR4 coaches in Q, and NOW I am at the Yahoo Monaco Gathering in Tampa Florida and plan for the next few days to be under yet more Monaco brand coaches. I will see what we can find. I do know NONE of the Q coaches I looked under, mostly Monaco Knights 2003, 2004, RR4's had rear sway bars, but they had Sheppard PMN34 Steering gears and I think we will have a few new swappers soon.

REF the UHMW bushings. Mike , Maddog7, just departed on a much earned retirement trip with his DW so taking his track bar off and getting bushing measurements will have to wait. SOON !

ATRO Now you may be able to get a Monaco part number or ATRO may have a cross reference for RR4 track bars. They have a cross reference for the RR8 Panhard bar. I am not sure they are the same or even close.

CONGRATS on the Sway Bar !!!!! I hope it works out

CAREFUL on the U bolts. Mike was have a heck of a time getting one to tighten up. I use a 50-50 mix of Acetone and ATF to break free rusty bolts. Keep spraying and keep trying. Patience ! I would hate to break a bolt.

You could make some headway and open some doors.

FINGERS CROSSED !!

flynnwalter · 02-03-2016, 06:07 AM

Chad
Thanks, I am all ears (and eyes) to get pics forwarded from you.

flynnwalter · 02-03-2016, 06:08 AM

Well, Chad forgot my email address:
flynnwalter@gmail.com
Look forward to pics and appreciate you sharing.

onechaddude · 02-03-2016, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flynnwalter

Well, Chad forgot my email address:
flynnwalter@gmail.com
Look forward to pics and appreciate you sharing.

Coming shortly. These are pics supersteer sent me.

Chad

CrazyKnight · 02-03-2016, 07:30 PM

A quick look at what a UHMW Custom made Panhard bar bushing looks like.

FYI

CaymanPilot · 02-04-2016, 06:18 AM

Very nice looking bushings! These could be a great alternative if I can't get a cross reference for the Atro bushings. Going to call Monaco this afternoon if my day goes as I have planned it... Ha!
Thanks for posting Craig!

DieselTech39 · 02-04-2016, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyKnight

......
CAREFUL on the U bolts. Mike was have a heck of a time getting one to tighten up. I use a 50-50 mix of Acetone and ATF to break free rusty bolts. Keep spraying and keep trying. Patience ! I would hate to break a bolt.......

Thought I should point this out to you guys. You should really be replacing the u-bolts when working on the suspension because u-bolts use a rolled thread. Here's a video that will help you to understand why and how to get the replacements that may cost less than those from the chassis manufacturer. YMMV Any spring/suspension shop should be able to help you.

Replace Ubolts?? Why??

onechaddude · 02-04-2016, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselTech39

Thought I should point this out to you guys. You should really be replacing the u-bolts when working on the suspension because u-bolts use a rolled thread. Here's a video that will help you to understand why and how to get the replacements that may cost less than those from the chassis manufacturer. YMMV Any spring/suspension shop should be able to help you.

Replace Ubolts?? Why??

Well. Now I need to know where to get u bolts. Anybody got a suggestion? I thought I was good to go and somebody tells me this LOL!!!
I seriously doubt they were changed when trailing arms were changed unless they were different size so I do not want to retorque them again. Thanks for the heads up. I definitely do not want them to loosen while driving, or anytime for that matter except when I take them off next week.

Chad

barmcd · 02-04-2016, 03:02 PM

NAPA would be a good place to start

DieselTech39 · 02-04-2016, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onechaddude

Well. Now I need to know where to get u bolts. Anybody got a suggestion? I thought I was good to go and somebody tells me this LOL!!!
I seriously doubt they were changed when trailing arms were changed unless they were different size so I do not want to retorque them again. Thanks for the heads up. I definitely do not want them to loosen while driving, or anytime for that matter except when I take them off next week.

Chad

Chad, Not sure where you are located, but a search for a truck spring and alignment shop should give you some in your area. If not here's one I've done business with in the Mpls/St.Paul area that I'm pretty sure can handle what you need. Kremer Services

onechaddude · 02-04-2016, 04:00 PM

I emailed John at supersteer which I bought the sway bar from. He said in their shop they have never replaced u bolts and never had a problem in 25 years. He said they actually have had more problems with replacement u bolts stretching and loosening up than originals. I will check and see what I can find about replacements. Thanks for the tips.

Chad

captw3 · 02-05-2016, 05:57 AM

When JoSam did my trailing arms and REK from Source there where new UBolts in the trailing arms kit. They cut the old ones off and replaced them with new ones. Makes for less shop time.

Rick 03 Neptune