Newell Gurus

Gurus,

I am at the factory having annual service performed.  One of the things on my list to check out was a “clunk” in the front suspension when moving slowly and going over an impediment like a gutter.  

I had already noticed that the bushing that holds the sway bar was beginning to look a little worn and my plan was to get Newell to replace the bushings.  

It took them about five minutes to block and secure the coach and pull the passenger tire.  Another minute of poking around and they said that they had found the source of the “clunking”.  Yep!  My sway bar was BROKEN!  (Like in two pieces).

In my defense, the break occurred inside the bushing and was not easy to see.  With the wheel off, it was easier...but was not obvious.  It became painfully obvious that the bar was broken when the mechanic pulled out the short end.  (See pics).

Newell had a new sway bar in stock and was able to install.  (Installation is straight forward, but does require the airbags to be unbolted on bottom and pried up and out of the way)

I have not driven the coach yet, but the difference when I added rear sway bar was dramatic.  I suspect that this thing will drive a LOT better with a functioning sway bar.

If you look at the pics, you will see that the broken end is rusty.  This makes me think that the bar has been broken for a while.  I just recently noticed the “thunk” but have always felt the coach was not happy creeping over bumps at slow speed.  (Highway speeds are fine).  I’m gonna say that the PO was responsible and it was not the times that I have taken the coach off road, nor the numerous pot holes I have hit, nor the “tow truck incident”.  Nope, it was not my fault!  :}

So here is an upgrade idea....If you have a similar vintage to mine (Pre 2004 ZF) and you don’t have sway bars (front and rear), consider getting them.  You can look under coach in rear to see if you have one and the front is mounted behind the suspension with then ends under the airbags.  Newell apparently stocks them.

I included one pic of the new sway bar.

Bill

Roro was trying to tell you something when he chewed up the dash.

looks like jbweld could have fixed that.

tom

I wonder much torque it takes to break a 2” piece of steel!

(01-15-2019, 12:43 PM)bikestuff Wrote: [ -> ]I wonder much torque it takes to break a 2” piece of steel!

Bill, please quit driving it like it is a motorcycle.Not saying it is your fault by any means.

I did loan the coach to the Ron Skeen Driving Experience.  @"ron skeen" Maybe I shoud check the computer for the max speed history.

Would potholes cause something like that? I hope they checked all that stuff out when they aligned mine! Is there a way to SEE that type of damage?

(01-15-2019, 01:27 PM)bikestuff Wrote: [ -> ]I did loan the coach to the Ron Skeen Driving Experience.  @"ron skeen" Maybe I shoud check the computer for the max speed history.

Sell it now!

On my coach, the broken place was inside a bushing / grommet. I could def. hear and feel creaking when moving slowly over uneven surface. If I examined the sway bar carefully, I suspect that I could have picked up a mis-alignment of the pieces.

If you don’t have creaking or clunking or other unexplained noises....likely you don’t have the problem.
I seriously have no idea of what caused it.

With that said, are you sure you have a sway bar? I am not sure whether it was factory, factory / aftermarket.

This happened on my old mans 2005. Coach #730 several years back.