MH is a Fleetwood on an F-53 Ford chassis. The front leveler cylinders are mounted in such a way that the landing pad is slightly (maybe an inch) under the leaf spring. At times, usually at slow speed and in rough parking areas, the MH will sway to the right in such a way that the leveler pad will rise and rub on the bottom of the leaf spring. I've verified this by seeing wear marks on both the pad and spring. First thought was to cut off a piece of the pad. A lot of work in an uncomfortable place. Next Idea was to unbolt and place a spacer between the frame and the leveler. Investigation revealed the possibility that the LF tire COULD then hit the pad if turned sharply left during a bump/sway. Easiest and maybe the best remedy might be to unbolt leveler and mount in different mounting holes. It appears now to be mounted in the highest position. Has anyone encountered this situation? how was it resolved?

Sounds like something is bent. They shouldn't hit.

Never heard of such a thing, but I think what I would do first is call Fleetwood. You don't say the year, but unless somebody has modified this thing since it came out of the factory, that sounds like a factory defect. Maybe Fleetwood would be nice and fix it for free.

no, nothing is bent -- same situation on both sides, can't imagine bending both hyd. cylinders and/or brackets the same amount in opposite directions. problem is most likely the fact that the chassis is equipped with air bags, which lifts the chassis and the attached levelers in relation to the axle/springs. I'll try it with the air bags de-flated -- if that works then the leveler mountings should be able to be moved downward - as the chassis must ride higher when the bags are inflated. Lowering the levelers and raising the chassis (same amount) would still maintain the same ground clearance for the pads when raised. BTW, the RV is a 2003 so I'm sure Fleetwood would not be much help. probably would suggest something must be bent.

Fleetwood actually should help. I would give them a call.

Sounds like the air bags have something to do with it. Most F53 chassis do not have air bags.

leveler landing pad hits leaf spring | Good Sam Community

dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 07, 2015
btcruzer wrote:
I am/was not aware that the pads are bolted to the shaft. That would be pretty handy way to fix this situation. It appeared at first glance that the pads are welded to the shaft. I'll have to check that out. Due to be leavin for a few days tomorrow, I'll run with very low pressure in the front bags to see if that eases the problem. Doesn't seem to be causing any real damage but just tired of sounding like the Clampetts coming into camp. As the levelers are located pretty close behind the axle I don't see any reason that the pads would need to be any higher than the lowest part of the axle.

Another question, hopefully simpler to answer. It looks like there is a ZERK fitting located in the lower end of the hydraulic cylinders of the POWER GEAR levelers. Is this to grease the seal ?

Yes, the Pad is bolted. Yes, you use a grease gun and inject grease into the ZERC fittings. WATCH the bottom seal as you pump in grease. When you see it start to bulge slightly stop. If you do squirt grease out a little it will not harm the seal, just wipe off the excess. By injecting the grease, your jacks will retract faster and also will not stick down a little when almost fully retracted. Doug
btcruzer
Explorer
Oct 07, 2015
I am/was not aware that the pads are bolted to the shaft. That would be pretty handy way to fix this situation. It appeared at first glance that the pads are welded to the shaft. I'll have to check that out. Due to be leavin for a few days tomorrow, I'll run with very low pressure in the front bags to see if that eases the problem. Doesn't seem to be causing any real damage but just tired of sounding like the Clampetts coming into camp. As the levelers are located pretty close behind the axle I don't see any reason that the pads would need to be any higher than the lowest part of the axle.

Another question, hopefully simpler to answer. It looks like there is a ZERK fitting located in the lower end of the hydraulic cylinders of the POWER GEAR levelers. Is this to grease the seal ?
btcruzer
Explorer
Oct 07, 2015
I am/was not aware that the pads are bolted to the shaft. That would be pretty handy way to fix this situation. It appeared at first glance that the pads are welded to the shaft. I'll have to check that out. Due to be leavin for a few days tomorrow, I'll run with very low pressure in the front bags to see if that eases the problem. Doesn't seem to be causing any real damage but just tired of sounding like the Clampetts coming into camp. As the levelers are located pretty close behind the axle I don't see any reason that the pads would need to be any higher than the lowest part of the axle.

Another question, hopefully simpler to answer. It looks like there is a ZERK fitting located in the lower end of the hydraulic cylinders of the POWER GEAR levelers. Is this to grease the seal ?
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Oct 07, 2015
I don't recall Ford ever included air bags on the F53 chassis or any coach builder adding them. As such the bags were installed by an owner sometime in the rig's life. With the bags inflated I suspect they are raising the frame/jack higher and closer to the leaf and tire. You could try dumping air pressure and try and duplicate conditions.

To correct the jack needs to be repositioned low, at least as much as the bags raise the chassis. I installed the jacks on my coach and I have air bags but my front jacks are well clear of the front suspension components. I'm pretty sure in the installation instructions for my jacks the recommended height of the pad at 7 to 8 inches when fully retracted and above the front axle. Drop the jacks as low as possible but stay above 7 inches or at least the level when the bags are deflated.
creeper
Explorer
Oct 06, 2015
rcmiller32 wrote:
Sounds like the air bags have something to do with it. Most F53 chassis do not have air bags.

If someone changed the suspension Fleetwood is certainly not going to help.
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 06, 2015
You do not state what brand Jacks. Fleetwood used Powergear back then. The jack pad is bolted on from the bottom. Can you remove the jack pad and shim it DOWN a little bit using a slightly longer pad mounting bolt and washers? Doug
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 06, 2015
Bill.Satellite wrote:
Fleetwood actually should help. I would give them a call.

What makes you think Fleetwood would help on a 13 year old motorhome??? Doug
rcmiller32
Explorer
Oct 06, 2015
Sounds like the air bags have something to do with it. Most F53 chassis do not have air bags.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Oct 06, 2015
Fleetwood actually should help. I would give them a call.
btcruzer
Explorer
Oct 06, 2015
no, nothing is bent -- same situation on both sides, can't imagine bending both hyd. cylinders and/or brackets the same amount in opposite directions. problem is most likely the fact that the chassis is equipped with air bags, which lifts the chassis and the attached levelers in relation to the axle/springs. I'll try it with the air bags de-flated -- if that works then the leveler mountings should be able to be moved downward - as the chassis must ride higher when the bags are inflated. Lowering the levelers and raising the chassis (same amount) would still maintain the same ground clearance for the pads when raised. BTW, the RV is a 2003 so I'm sure Fleetwood would not be much help. probably would suggest something must be bent.

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leveler landing pad hits leaf spring

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