2009 Winnebago View. Ride
Need some help. I recently purchased a 2009 Winnebago View with 15k miles. I replaced all of the tires because the ones that were on the vehicle was almost 8 years old, while doing the tires I also h...
Forum Discussion
marusakc wrote:
I noticed you mentioned front end vibration sometimes at higher speeds. I purchased a 2009 Fleetwood Icon in February. Its a bit similar to the Winnebago View with the Sprinter chassis. I started noticing the same regarding vibration. The tires were about due for replacement so I had that done with no improvement. I took it back to have it checked and balanced again but that did not help. Next, I took it elsewhere and they said it had a worn ball joint on the left so those were replaced and the rv was aligned, too. Well, none of it has made any difference. Any other suggestions?
Ball joint replacement is a wasteful and fruitless task on Sprinters, according to Doktor A.
Ball Joint wear measuring
"I was organizing my desk and came across an old FedEx TSB on this very subject. That was a good reminder that I have long needed to post a Tech Alert.
Weekly phone calls from frustrated Sprinter owners facing expensive ball joint replacement during a State vehicle safety inspection was a very good reminder as well.
It appears that the majority of Sprinter ball joint inspections are being done incorrectly. And lots of money is being wasted by performing time consuming and expensive replacement of good ball joints.
The design of the Sprinter front suspension has the ball joints in constant compression, even when the vehicle is raised and the wheel is off the ground.
Traditional ball joint assessment methods are completely inappropriate for the Sprinter.
The factory recommendation (also FedEx recommendation): DO NOT even attempt the traditional method of measuring axial play (up and down play) by jacking of the lower A arm and then prying on the stub axle. This will likely show an 'alarming' amount of play which would result in a failing grade. Alarming for a traditional ball joint design but NOT the Sprinter.
Replacement should be considered only if the dust boot is torn (risk of contamination and loss of lube) or excess pivot friction or noise is present due to lack of lubrication (If the boot is not torn it is unlikely that lubrication will be an issue).
I recall reading of similar confusion in England when the national vehicle safety inspection (the MOT) was resulting in needless Sprinter ball joint replacements due to incorrect assessment. The authorities later issued a 'spec' (3mm if I recall) to quell the uproar but it still did not recognize the unique design, it only provided a pass/fail number the techs could apply using a traditional and incorrect measuring procedure.
Sprinter ball joint replacement is an ugly, difficult, and expensive job which, if done without care, can result in damage and also front wheel sensor issues.
Educate your local tech.
Doktor A"
