Missing bolt on rear suspension on new Class A

[MetalGator]

Took our new motorhome for a short trip this weekend. When I got it home, I was giving it a wash and noticed something hanging underneath the rear axle. This is what I found.



The top bolt was missing and the bottom bolt was barely hanging on. The metal bracket is bent and won't line up with the bolt holes. I only have 4500 miles on the motorhome. Have no idea how long it's been like this but now I need to get it fixed before our next trip.

Anyone every seen this happen before? This is on a 2017 F53 chassis.

Burch

[roam1]

yes, I was going to post that this has been reported before, glad you found it!
keep an eye on those bolts and while you are at it, get the poly bushings, the original ford bushings on my 09 disintegrated. There is a great thread on the bushings somewhere and a member supplys them for a reasonable price.

[fpresto]

Chum Lee while I agree that Ford should fix it under their normal warranty procedures, it is not hardly a serious safety issue.

[wolfe10]

MetalGator wrote:


I don't know much about suspension but what kind of damage could this have cause it not addressed?

Burch

Since it was still held by the end links on both sides and the axle attachment on one side, I suspect unless something else failed you would have some noise and extra sway (side to side motion).

[MetalGator]

It's all fixed now. FIL went to the Ford dealer (which is also a Truck center) and bought the clamp and 2 new bolts for under $40. It was cheaper than driving the motorhome 90 miles round trip to get it done under warranty. I would have also had to take time off work. The only thing I want to do is get some black rust-oleum paint to paint the bolts. They aren't galvanized and I figured a coat of black paint will keep them from rusting.

I did Google this issue and it does look like this is a fairly common issue with the F53. I see posts going back to 2010-2011 models where this has happened. You would think Ford would have addressed this by now. I am just thankful I saw this before our 9 day trip next week.

I don't know much about suspension but what kind of damage could this have cause it not addressed?

Burch

[Dale_Traveling]

Serious safety defect? Missing hardware for a rear sway bar mount? The owner is in more danger being under the coach while raised up on the installed jacks.

[Chum_lee]

You have a serious safety defect. IMO, you should forward your dated picture to Ford Motor Company and your local Ford dealer along with your VIN and a dated photo of your speedo cluster showing the mileage. Ford should spend THEIR time fixing this and make it right, NOT YOU! I would ask your Ford dealer what THEY plan to do about it and make them come and pick up your vehicle because it is not safe to drive.

Chum lee

[MetalGator]

cross21114 wrote:
Nice father-in-law to have around!

He is retired and has always been a handyman which is handy for us working folks! 🙂

[cross21114]

Nice father-in-law to have around!

[MetalGator]

I just spoke to my father-in-law. He went up to the Ford dealer and bought the bracket and the bolts. Apparently, the original nuts are welded to the plate on the axle. I guess the welds on the nuts didn't hold and eventually the nuts worked themselves off the bolts. He ended up installing the bracket with some locktight (not sure whether blue or red). I didn't realize this was a known issue but I will be definitely be checking these brackets before each trip going forward.

Burch

[RedRollingRoadb]

Be sure to use Blue Locktite on it as a minimum. I wouldn't be afraid to red. This is a known issue. The torque value is 66# for the bolt if you want to get real anal.

While your under there you may as well do the CHF - Cheap Hanedling Fix too. Do a search for it or entertain your self for hours here. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/cheap-handling-fix-72335.html

For me it was easier to do backing off the sway bar bolts a few turns, and since Ford did that for you you get to save a step.

[MetalGator]

donn0128 wrote:
Probably faster and easier to simply go buy a new bolt and,nut. Then bend the bracket back into place and bolt it back up. Should take maybe 30 minutes of time vs an hour deiving to, waiting, driving home, driving an hour back, waiting a couple hours for some teeniebooper to screw it back. Then driving back home and wind up fixing it right yourself.

I wasn't able to bend the bracket back into shape. It's very thick. I could probably take it to a welding shop and have them heat it but I am just going to get a new one from Ford. I called the parts department and they have them in stock. My father in law is going to run up to Tampa and pick it up for me. I didn't want to try and drive the motorhome this way to get it fixed under warranty. The part is only $18. Just still surprised with so few miles that this happened.

Burch

[Lwiddis]

x2 on Don's post.

[donn0128]

Probably faster and easier to simply go buy a new bolt and,nut. Then bend the bracket back into place and bolt it back up. Should take maybe 30 minutes of time vs an hour deiving to, waiting, driving home, driving an hour back, waiting a couple hours for some teeniebooper to screw it back. Then driving back home and wind up fixing it right yourself.

[wolfe10]

Any Ford dealer should be able to get you replacement bracket and bolt under warranty unless this is an oversized sway bar fit by the coach maker.

So, I would shoot that picture to the coach maker to see if that is a Ford OE bar or one they fit.