Loud "pop" sound in suspension

[Dilley Dilley]

Originally Posted by TimmyB

No, but I can't exactly say I'd know what the heck I was looking for and how to find it!

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...7&d=1543809584

[Dilley Dilley]

On our Motorhome the grease boot on #8 in the diagram was cracked and dry with no grease when new. Probably due to the fact that the RV was on the lot in the hot Arizona weather for the better part of a year. All the other lubrication points took plenty of grease. If you hear popping and clunking underneath you in the cab then it could be time for a lube job. Metal on metal needs lubrication. I hope this solves your problem.

[Dilley Dilley]

Originally Posted by TimmyB

My dealer won't even look at anything to do with the chassis, so I've got to make an appointment with a Ford Truck dealer for this AND my AC problem. Let us know what you find out. It could make it a lot easier to describe what they might be looking for.

Thanks!

Your RV Dealer is NOT who you want working on the cab and chassis. Ford is the correct place to take your RV for cab and chassis work. The cab, chassis, engine, driveline, suspension is all under factory warranty by Ford.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by upnyfolks

When we had our 2017 axis it also had an occasional popping in the front end, it wasn't until I began the installation of our aftermarket front anti-sway bar that I found a nut missing from one of the end link attachments to the factory anti-sway bar. This caused the anti-sway bar to bind occasionally on the end link bolt, and it would pop when it became free.

The OEM end links are undersized on the E450 chassis
I added the Helwig anti-sway bar and was advised to include the Moog End Links which are much more robust than stock. They were $25 each, so it was cheap insurance.

The one on this Forum who advised me...broke a stock end link on a rough stretch of road after the Helwig anti-sway bar install.

PS-I've got two barely used (4,000 miles) OEM end links available for free. PM me if you want them.

[mcr1010]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

The OEM end links are undersized on the E450 chassis
I added the Helwig anti-sway bar and was advised to include the Moog End Links which are much more robust than stock. They were $25 each, so it was cheap insurance.

The one on this Forum who advised me...broke a stock end link on a rough stretch of road after the Helwig anti-sway bar install.

PS-I've got two barely used (4,000 miles) OEM end links available for free. PM me if you want them.

That could have been me that you mentioned as I broke some links on my Vegas with that has the 350 chassis awhile back.
Just wanted to mention that if you have the Helwig sway bar check to make sure they the bar links are still tight after a trip. While under there recently checking brake pads, I noticed mine had loosen on both ends of the bar. i.e. the nuts had backed off a turn or two and these are flanged lock nuts. I have tighten them back with Loctite, but will most likely add some more lock nuts to as jam nuts. Seems to be a lot of stress on these links.

Anddddd............... loose links make popping sounds.

Also, where did you get your HD Moog links?
Thanks and happy trails

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by mcr1010

That could have been me that you mentioned as I broke some links on my Vegas with that has the 350 chassis awhile back.
Just wanted to mention that if you have the Helwig sway bar check to make sure they the bar links are still tight after a trip. While under there recently checking brake pads, I noticed mine had loosen on both ends of the bar. i.e. the nuts had backed off a turn or two and these are flanged lock nuts. I have tighten them back with Loctite, but will most likely add some more lock nuts to as jam nuts. Seems to be a lot of stress on these links.

Anddddd............... loose links make popping sounds.

Also, where did you get your HD Moog links?
Thanks and happy trails

Hwere you go...

Moog K750322 Stabilizer Bar Link Kit

[chuckb]

do you tow a vehicle, it might be the hitch

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by chuckb

do you tow a vehicle, it might be the hitch

No, no tow. Definitely coming from suspension directly under us as we can sometimes feel it with our feet.

[Dilley Dilley]

Originally Posted by TimmyB

In our Vegas, we get a VERY loud pop, which sometimes we can feel with our feet through the floorboard. Imagine someone hitting a 2x4 with a hammer right next to your head; that will give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Usually, this occurs only once and most often, right at the beginning of a trip. However, on our recent trip, we were forced to drive for about three miles on a very rough, washboard at times, gravel road. The popping was incredibly frequent on this road, but MUCH lower in volume. As soon as we returned to pavement, the popping stopped. This obviously points us to something in the suspension, but we've not heard anyone who has described such an issue.

We DO have Sumo Springs on our unit, but other than that, our suspension is stock.

Anyone else have anything like this?

Here’s a video that may help with the situation that you describe...

[Dilley Dilley]

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Dilley Dilley

Thanks for the diagram. This will help! That video made me cringe, though. The guy was trying to do the right thing but had no idea what the parts were called. NOT a great way to reach an audience and fill them with confidence that you know what the hell you are doing. An ignorant person like myself would greatly appreciate if he knew the part names so I can learn them too!

[Dilley Dilley]

Ya sorry about that video. I should’ve watched it through before attaching it. Regardless of what the name of the different parts though you need to get under there and inspect those areas. It’s always good to check them if you hear noise or at least when doing your oil and filter servicing. If those black rubber grease boots aren’t full then you’re going to have metal on metal. If you fill them until the grease sweeps out then that’s what you want. Just use a rag and wipe the excess off. I usually will use the greasy rag to rub on the metal linkages as well. If you don’t feel comfortable doing the lube yourself then have a service center or mechanic do it for you. Maybe you have a friend that has a grease gun who could do it for you. Use the diagram I put on here to find the areas to inspect. Good luck

[Dilley Dilley]

Originally Posted by Dilley Dilley

Here’s a video that may help with the situation that you describe...

I attached this video without previewing it beforehand. For that I am sorry. This video is horrible and an example of how NOT to produce an educational video. I would appreciate it if the administrators could delete this post from the thread or give me directions on how I could delete it.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Dilley Dilley

Ya sorry about that video. I should’ve watched it through before attaching it. Regardless of what the name of the different parts though you need to get under there and inspect those areas. It’s always good to check them if you hear noise or at least when doing your oil and filter servicing. If those black rubber grease boots aren’t full then you’re going to have metal on metal. If you fill them until the grease sweeps out then that’s what you want. Just use a rag and wipe the excess off. I usually will use the greasy rag to rub on the metal linkages as well. If you don’t feel comfortable doing the lube yourself then have a service center or mechanic do it for you. Maybe you have a friend that has a grease gun who could do it for you. Use the diagram I put on here to find the areas to inspect. Good luck

It's flipping 35 degrees and snowing and raining in Michigan right now! (I actually climbed under it yesterday, but it was a balmy 42 then!) I am not optimistic that the weather will get much better before we leave next Monday, but if not, I'll bring a grease gun with me and get it in Jacksonville when we arrive!!!

Thanks, again. It is much appreciated.

[Tearstone]

Originally Posted by Dilley Dilley

On our Motorhome the grease boot on #8 in the diagram was cracked and dry with no grease when new. Probably due to the fact that the RV was on the lot in the hot Arizona weather for the better part of a year. All the other lubrication points took plenty of grease. If you hear popping and clunking underneath you in the cab then it could be time for a lube job. Metal on metal needs lubrication. I hope this solves your problem.

Did the lack of grease cause a rubbing noise when going down the road when the suspension flexes?

[axis earl]

Just to throw another idea out at you. Our rig is on a F-53 chassis but our "popping" noise started when we hit a hard bump on a SoCal highway. Long story short, found out that a weld on the right front brace area directly under the passenger's foot area broke. Many people opined that it was bushings, loose nuts, etc. Rig has 10000 miles on it by the way. Rewelded and the popping noise is gone.

[Tearstone]

Axis earl that’s a good idea to check! I’ll take a look there.

Curious, has anyone here replaced the drag linkage with a Motorcraft MDOE-35?

https://www.autopartswarehouse.com/b...craft/mimdoe35

[axis earl]

What is the point of the new drag link?

[Dilley Dilley]

Originally Posted by Tearstone

Did the lack of grease cause a rubbing noise when going down the road when the suspension flexes?

Lack of grease can cause noise. I first noticed it when I was turning to the left. Those grease areas are pretty easy to inspect and it would be a good idea to check or have them checked periodically. Mine just happened to be cracked so it wouldn't even hold grease. The other grease areas in the front suspension all took grease as well.

[Tearstone]

Originally Posted by axis earl

What is the point of the new drag link?

My thought was that the new drag link would be designed differently than the stock one to prevent this condition happening again. I was curious if anyone tried it and if it made a difference.

Originally Posted by Dilley Dilley

Lack of grease can cause noise. I first noticed it when I was turning to the left. Those grease areas are pretty easy to inspect and it would be a good idea to check or have them checked periodically. Mine just happened to be cracked so it wouldn't even hold grease. The other grease areas in the front suspension all took grease as well.

Yes, turning left I definitely notice it and it almost goes away when performing a right turn. Thanks for the insight!