Leaf spring noise on 2003 F53. Anyone been through this?
I purchased my first Class A over the winter, a 2003 Hurricane 30Q. It's been a positive experience overall. At times it seems that I just bought another project, but I was ready for that.
The most recent issue is the appearance of a rather disconcerting clunk in the left front. When I initially heard it, I stopped to crawl under it for an inspection. I was concerned because it really sounded like a bushing was failing, and I was worried about steering or suspension failure. I was pleased that everything felt tight, and was content to finish the trip and address it when I got home. The noise continued throughout the rest of the trip, no better, no worse.
I took it to a local shop the following week. They did an inspection, and told me that the noise was coming from the steering linkage. I was skeptical, because I could not feel it through the wheel as severely as I would have expected, but they are the professionals, and the repair was inexpensive enough, so I authorized it.
They called afterward and admitted that they were wrong, and the noise is still there. After they had it another week, they finally called to say that the noise is coming from the leaf springs. They indicated that they are just worn out, and that they are slapping each other over the bumps. They went on to say that it would cost $3000 per side to replace them. The shop owner told me that there has to be a cheaper way, but he is unable to cross reference the springs, so he recommended that I try to locate them on my own.
So, the question: Has anyone experienced this? What did you do? Is the leaf spring slapping issue common, and where do you get springs? A search of the forum came up empty.
I'm not opposed to replacing the springs, and I will probably do it myself since I'm quite mechanically inclined. I just want to put it out there to see if anyone has any expertise, or possibly a source for the springs. Thanks!
The most recent issue is the appearance of a rather disconcerting clunk in the left front. When I initially heard it, I stopped to crawl under it for an inspection. I was concerned because it really sounded like a bushing was failing, and I was worried about steering or suspension failure. I was pleased that everything felt tight, and was content to finish the trip and address it when I got home. The noise continued throughout the rest of the trip, no better, no worse.
I took it to a local shop the following week. They did an inspection, and told me that the noise was coming from the steering linkage. I was skeptical, because I could not feel it through the wheel as severely as I would have expected, but they are the professionals, and the repair was inexpensive enough, so I authorized it.
They called afterward and admitted that they were wrong, and the noise is still there. After they had it another week, they finally called to say that the noise is coming from the leaf springs. They indicated that they are just worn out, and that they are slapping each other over the bumps. They went on to say that it would cost $3000 per side to replace them. The shop owner told me that there has to be a cheaper way, but he is unable to cross reference the springs, so he recommended that I try to locate them on my own.
So, the question: Has anyone experienced this? What did you do? Is the leaf spring slapping issue common, and where do you get springs? A search of the forum came up empty.
I'm not opposed to replacing the springs, and I will probably do it myself since I'm quite mechanically inclined. I just want to put it out there to see if anyone has any expertise, or possibly a source for the springs. Thanks!
