Spartan Ball Joint Recall

[pallencollin]

I'm fine with another recall, my '14 Anthem DEQ and your '14 RBQ are not included in the bulletin. STRANGE

[brobox]

Originally Posted by pallencollin

I'm fine with another recall, my '14 Anthem DEQ and your '14 RBQ are not included in the bulletin. STRANGE

I am running into the same thing with the new toad....some productions runs are having recalls others are not in the same year truck. Lately recalls have become a way of life. I received another one yesterday on the dehumidifier in the MH that I use while in storage. That one I was told to throw it away, it's fire hazard. At least Spartan isn't telling us to throw our MH's away......yet.

[Les1951]

Would I be correct in assuming that if the ball joint is loose, the alignment would change ?

[Lault]

If any thing in the front end is loose, ball joints tie rod ends etc the alignment will vary and be incorrect.

[Dutch Star David]

Haven't received any notice yet. Sounds kind of important so wonder why not. Just got back from fuel pump roller tappet recall at Cummins. Wonder what's next? Would be nice to be able to use my coach without having to deal with these constant recalls. It's usually at least a 100 mile round trip to deal with these recalls.

[Brian W]

Originally Posted by Matt D

Brian, great to hear. I'm glad you joined this thread as you seem to be the tip of the spear.



Did they use a special tool? Can you get any specifics on the tool mentioned?



Thanks,



-Matt

Matt,

Google Spartan chassis ball joint removal tools and the top 2 links will show pictures of the tools.

Brian

[bill2011]

We have the pooping noise on ours when turning. Reported it October. Was supposed to be fixed but was not. I guess we will get it fixed now.

[rprkbr]

Originally Posted by Brian W

I had the recall performed on my coach yesterday. On one side the ball joints were torqued to spec. The other side not so much, had to be tightened quite a bit. My popping noise I was having when turning left or right seems to have disappeared. Three test drives by three different people (I was one of them) and no popping. Keeping my fingers crossed this has fixed the problem.

Brian,
When they did the recall did they suggest to get another front end alignment???
Tks.

[TXBart]

Originally Posted by brobox

Vance, many of our chassis are going to be 2013 chassis, I know mine is.

So Spartan determines the model year of our coaches based on the year they built the chassis? That's nuts. My 2014 was built the end of May 2013 so my chassis was likely built in 2012.

[Brian W]

Originally Posted by rprkbr

Brian,
When they did the recall did they suggest to get another front end alignment???
Tks.

My coach had several issues that were being addressed. Popping noises when turning, front end vibration, and wandering. My dealership has been working with Spartan and Entegra to deal with all of those issues. The front end alignment was just one of the things that needed to be done, but the shop it was sent to wanted to do it only after the other items were taken care of. I never had an alignment done to know if they would have wanted to do another one after the recall.

I have only had the coach about six weeks, and it's been at shops for four of those trying to identify the problem with the popping noise. Hopefully this recall fixed the issue. If not, Spartan wants the coach brought to Michigan. Three test drives after the recall and so far no popping. First real test will come starting Friday as we leave for a trip.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by TXBart

So Spartan determines the model year of our coaches based on the year they built the chassis? That's nuts. My 2014 was built the end of May 2013 so my chassis was likely built in 2012.

Vance, my guess is different front axles my have been used during that period. When I was making the change to Koni shocks I had to call Spartan with my VIN # to check which front end I had for the correct shocks.

It may be a problem with Spartan's front end vendor that did not torque the Ball Joints correctly. I know Spartan has vendor problems...... three rear ends (Meritor) for me and many radiators for others. It looks like the front axle vendor can be added to that list.

[Lault]

So i assume they are just checking the torque on the ball joint nuts, not replacing them?

[Matt D]

Larry, that is correct. The ball joint itself is fine, just improperly torqued.

There isn't much movement going on, but there is a lot of pressure so it sounds really bad.

The ball joint itself should be just fine.

-Matt

[Gary.Jones]

Matt:

Are you sure? If the torque is not correct and the joint is popping, I would think that logically indicates that there might be some inappropriate and excessive wear at the junction... ?

Gary