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harleyjt · 02-20-2020, 10:36 PM

I know this is a long shot, but I'm hoping someone has seen this before and already figured it out. My 2005 W24 has developed an intermittent loud pop in the right front suspension usually when making a slow turn - such as when pulling into a driveway type scenario. Steering wheel is not at full lock, but a healthy turn nevertheless. Its a low mile rig - 22000 miles. Since I've had it, (5 yrs now) the chassis has been greased annually which equates to about every 4000 to 5000 miles. I've been under the coach several times looking and find nothing that I can attribute this to. Thanks.
jt

akeagle · 02-20-2020, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyjt

I know this is a long shot, but I'm hoping someone has seen this before and already figured it out. My 2005 W24 has developed an intermittent loud pop in the right front suspension usually when making a slow turn - such as when pulling into a driveway type scenario. Steering wheel is not at full lock, but a healthy turn nevertheless. Its a low mile rig - 22000 miles. Since I've had it, (5 yrs now) the chassis has been greased annually which equates to about every 4000 to 5000 miles. I've been under the coach several times looking and find nothing that I can attribute this to. Thanks.
jt

First thought that came to my mind was a worn ball joint. The second thought was a possible loose wheel bearing. I'd take it to a good front end shop to be sure.

nvs4602 · 02-20-2020, 11:34 PM

Sounds like it could be a wheel bearing. You have to Jack up each tire and give it a good wiggle. If it wiggles in and out it's a bearing issue.

nvs4602 · 02-21-2020, 10:51 PM

There are bolts on each end of the stabilizer bar that connect to the A arms I've seen both of them broke on cars I've owned. They are the weak link in the system, so they break before the bar will. Check those too.

Unplanned Tourist · 02-21-2020, 11:41 PM

Have a close look at the spring pins.

What you could be hearing could be just side play.

I have seen it many times on trucks.

Go to an open area and do a series of left to right and back again turns.

Usually it only clunks once each way.

The fix was to install shims on the spring pins to tighten up the side play.

Happy Glamping.

harleyjt · 02-22-2020, 10:48 AM

Thanks for the replies. Some good ideas on things to check. I really like Unplanned's thought. That makes a lot of sense. As far as ball joints and wheel bearings, I wouldn't think either could be worn so badly in just 20k miles, but there is always the possibility. Also, I would think if a wheel bearing were out, there would be noise and very sloppy steering. Still, needs to be verified. I've looked hard at the stabilizer bar and brackets, and not seen any issue, but next time I'm under the coach I'll visit that area again. Keep the ideas coming. Many times, issues such as this are common to a model. Was just hoping someone else had had the same issue and resolved.
jt

Wrenchch3 · 02-22-2020, 01:11 PM

Sometime the safety steer will make a sound like that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Thanks for the replies. Some good ideas on things to check. I really like Unplanned's thought. That makes a lot of sense. As far as ball joints and wheel bearings, I wouldn't think either could be worn so badly in just 20k miles, but there is always the possibility. Also, I would think if a wheel bearing were out, there would be noise and very sloppy steering. Still, needs to be verified. I've looked hard at the stabilizer bar and brackets, and not seen any issue, but next time I'm under the coach I'll visit that area again. Keep the ideas coming. Many times, issues such as this are common to a model. Was just hoping someone else had had the same issue and resolved.
jt

Wrenchch3 · 02-22-2020, 01:12 PM

If you have one . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrenchch3

Sometime the safety steer will make a sound like that.

harleyjt · 02-22-2020, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrenchch3

If you have one . . .

Nope.
jt

vettenuts · 02-23-2020, 05:31 AM

Are there ball joints on the W24? I didn’t think there were with the solid axle and don’t recall seeing any when contorted like a pretzel to grease the steering. The spring pins sound like a likely candidate. Maybe the steering tie rod end as I think it rotates a bit when turning to high angles.

harleyjt · 02-23-2020, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettenuts

Are there ball joints on the W24? I didn’t think there were with the solid axle and don’t recall seeing any when contorted like a pretzel to grease the steering. The spring pins sound like a likely candidate. Maybe the steering tie rod end as I think it rotates a bit when turning to high angles.

No, no ball joints. It uses a kingpin.

AKIQPilot · 02-28-2020, 07:20 AM

My 2002 Itasca does the same thing. Turning on off camber slopes i get a single loud pop from the front end. Its rare but it does happen. I haven’t figured out what it is either.

US1 · 02-28-2020, 12:21 PM

Do you have to be in motion or will it pop while sitting still and turning the wheel?

AKIQPilot · 02-28-2020, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by US1

Do you have to be in motion or will it pop while sitting still and turning the wheel?

For my Itasca I have to be in motion going slow. Turning the wheel at least half way to the lock and on an a significant off camber. The way I have to pull out of my parking spot at home does it every time. Not going in, just out and that is about the only place I have heard to pop. Its a solid pop though. First few times it did it I looked hard for the source. Took it to a local shop and they found nothing wrong and couldn’t repeat the pop.
I will figure it out at some point. This summer I will put my wife behind the wheel and I will look/listen closely from outside and try to pin down the pop when pulling out of our parking spot at home.