Newell Gurus

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Hello All,

We are in Albuquerque and needing an alignment. Called the local shops and they all ask what chassis Newell uses. After explaining they are purposely built by Newell the conversation begins to go downhill. Any suggestions on how to approach the shops? Are there published specs they can follow? Ours is coach 414, a beautiful 1996 model. She's runs out straight but the steering wheel is off center about 25 degrees. Wanders a bit if you're not careful. New Firestones all around. Thank you for any advice!
They should be able to call Newell for any specs that they might need. Camping World might have an alignment bay but not sure of that.
Kenny,

You are right at the transition point between the Ridewell straight axle and the Dana Independent Front Suspension. Can you tell us which one you have?
(05-14-2017, 04:00 AM)Richard Wrote: [ -> ]Kenny,

You are right at the transition point between the Ridewell straight axle and the Dana Independent Front Suspension. Can you tell us which one you have?

I had a 96 # 422 and was a straight axles. Had a bus shop in Knoxville try to do the job and they had all kind of problems and gave up. I would go back to Newell for a alinement. Just my thoughts.
Richard hit the nail on the head with that question. I have been told that #413 had a Ridewell solid axle and #416 had the Dana IFS. I am not certain about #414 or #415 although I 'think' #414 had the Ridewell straight axle. Of course it is very easy to tell if you look under the front of the coach.
Fixed the wandering or over steering by increasing toe-in from 1/16 to 3/16. Increased tire wear is immaterial.
Richard, Michael, Chester & CC, Thank you all for your ideas and direction. My guess is i've got the Ridewell version. Heading over to the garage to take a look today. Will report back. There is a camping World here in town, I'll ask them as well. Many Thanks!! Happy Mothers Day!!
(05-14-2017, 05:34 AM)Fulltiming Wrote: [ -> ]Richard hit the nail on the head with that question. I have been told that #413 had a Ridewell solid axle and #416 had the Dana IFS. I am not certain about #414 or #415 although I 'think' #414 had the Ridewell straight axle. Of course it is very easy to tell if you look under the front of the coach.

Hello.

I have Coach #416 and indeed it has the IFS in the front.  Contact Newell for Caster, Camber, and Toe-in specs.  My Coach tends to pull slightly right and the steering wheel is off by a couple of degrees.  I have some bushings and clamps for the sway bar that need replacing.  The key thing is to have the correct Travel Height before adjusting.

For those that have the solid axle, Caster and Camber are not adjustable, only Toe-in.  If these need adjustment, the Axle is bent and needs to be replaced per the documents in my Newell Book.  They did not update my Book to reflect the installation of the IFS.
Bill, congratulations. To the best of my knowledge you have the first or at most, the second Newell built with IFS. I think I was able to confirm that #414 does have the Ridewell Solid front axle. Still don't have a definitive word on #415.
My #440 has a solid front axle, 1997...not IFS
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