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Post by Oliver G on May 31, 2019 7:58:55 GMT -5
So we have a 2018 kz escape e191bh. When we drive there is a squeaky sound when ever we go over bumps. Also when we walk in the camper in the center you can hear the squeak. I was thinking it may be the leaf springs. We took camper to dealer for service of water heater so I asked if they could check on the leaf springs also & lube them if necessary. They called back & said that the squeaky sounds are because the axle shifted so the sound is metal on metal & it would be 2 hours labor, that it would not be covered by our extended protection plan. Does this make sense or are they giving me BS because I have no expertise in this? I am confused as to how the axle would shift? Unless the ubolt wasn't tightened all the way from the factory which wouldn't surprise me as there were many things we discovered loose.
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Post by Edd505 on May 31, 2019 10:15:57 GMT -5
This sounds typical of the extended warranty plan, sorry that's not covered. People ask should I get the extended plan, I always say no, put the money in savings. If something needs fixed you have the $$ to take care of it, and if nothing happens your $$ a ahead. JMHO
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Post by Oliver G on May 31, 2019 10:50:55 GMT -5
Yes, I have learned that next time I will not purchase this plan.
I don't understand though how the axle would shift.
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Post by lynnmor on May 31, 2019 11:12:44 GMT -5
Leaf springs can rub against the hangers and shackles, perfectly normal. In your case, crawl under and see for yourself if there seems to be an abnormal condition. The eyes of the springs come with plastic bushings that wear out very quickly, consider inspecting those and replacing them with brass bushings and wet bolts so they can be lubed. The leaf springs can be lubed as well as rust-proofed by spraying them with Fluid Film annually.
If you need others to do the work, any competent auto repair shop can do the work, the last place to go is an RV dealer. Heavy duty truck repair shops are a good choice if alignment or welding is required, as they have the proper equipment.
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Post by Edd505 on May 31, 2019 11:15:54 GMT -5
Yes, I have learned that next time I will not purchase this plan. I don't understand though how the axle would shift. How do you know that axle has shifted, have you gone under and had someone inside make it squeak or is this what they are saying. Can you identify exactly where the squeak is and get a picture? Knowing exactly where might help in deciding how to fix it. There is a lot of combined knowledge here and why I belong to the forum.
lynnmore! your post popped up just as I sent mine.  |
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Post by Oliver G on May 31, 2019 11:22:21 GMT -5
It is just what they are telling me and they have the camper so I am unable to look.
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Post by Edd505 on May 31, 2019 11:31:30 GMT -5
It is just what they are telling me and they have the camper so I am unable to look. Hope they are able to get it fixed for you. I don't know how much handy man stuff you can do, but many of the minor issues can be fixed at home. I do 99% of the fixing myself, as do many others, so it doesn't have to set in the shop week or months. Have a problem post, include pictures and someone here has likely had the issue before. |
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Post by Chuck on Jun 3, 2019 6:04:32 GMT -5
So we have a 2018 kz escape e191bh. When we drive there is a squeaky sound when ever we go over bumps. Also when we walk in the camper in the center you can hear the squeak. I was thinking it may be the leaf springs. We took camper to dealer for service of water heater so I asked if they could check on the leaf springs also & lube them if necessary. They called back & said that the squeaky sounds are because the axle shifted so the sound is metal on metal & it would be 2 hours labor, that it would not be covered by our extended protection plan. Does this make sense or are they giving me BS because I have no expertise in this? I am confused as to how the axle would shift? Unless the ubolt wasn't tightened all the way from the factory which wouldn't surprise me as there were many things we discovered loose. Oliver
Even if your trailer is at the dealer you can ask to look at what they are claiming an determine for yourself if what they are saying is true or not ...
I tool our 5th wheel in for it's annual inspection, dealer called an said the roof caps needed resealed an a cost of $88.00, I told them that the trailer had just been at Kz an the roof had been inspected, I ask to see what they were talking about ... It wasn't ten minutes from the time they had called me that I go another call from dealer stating they had
called the wrong person an my roof caps were ok ... When i picked up the trailer I ask for a lift so i could inspect the roof, they were somewhat put off but got a lift so I could see that everything was as stated an as I thought the seals were ok ...
As lynnmor stated any good competent auto repair, tire or spring shop can do the work, or Heavy duty truck repair
shops as well are a good choice if alignment or welding is required, as they have the proper equipment.
Again if your dealer is not 50 miles away I would ask to see what they are talking about before they repair what they are talking about 
Good Luck an safe travels
Chuck
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Post by laknox on Jun 3, 2019 14:11:20 GMT -5
Lessee, this is an '18 model. Does it not have a 2 year warranty? Personally, I'd do as Chuck suggests, and go to a heavy suspension shop, if out of warranty. There they can check the axle alignment to see if an axle really =has= shifted, or not. I'd also do as lynnmor suggested and install/have installed a wet bolt kit. Bronze bushings, heavier spring shackles and bolts that can be greased.
Lyle
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Post by Oliver G on Jun 3, 2019 19:53:25 GMT -5
Well we picked up the camper earlier today. I asked the guy how an axle would shift & he said that he hadn't ever seen it but the factory probably didn't tighten everything & since its past 1 year it is not covered. We drove home & I walked in the center & it still squeaks. So it's official we got ripped off. We learned our lesson. Also the water heater leaking at the cold water lines problem we had taken the camper in for at same time was covered by warranty but when I hooked everything up & tested it, it still leaked. Ugh so much for the dealer fixing things. But thank you everyone so much for your comments. You have all taught me a lot & I appreciate it.
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Post by lynnmor on Jun 3, 2019 20:59:05 GMT -5
The leaf spring suspension on these trailers are not exactly cutting edge. Here is a tool from 1916 for greasing springs: Vintage Tool |
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Post by nvguy on Jun 4, 2019 21:11:03 GMT -5
If you paid a deductible for the water heater repair, I would call the warranty company and ask for a refund, as they shouldn't pay the dealer.
2 hours to tighten some U bolts? That's outrageous.
Stay away from this dealer, they are either incompetent or crooked.
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Post by vagov on Jun 5, 2019 8:49:25 GMT -5
funny thing about my 196 escape the axle is not exactly centered in the wheel well, this is how its factory made. unless 100% solid chocked, my camper squeaks a little and rocks while walking around, I just got used to it, dont even give it much thought anymore.
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Post by Chuck on Jun 5, 2019 11:00:05 GMT -5
Well we picked up the camper earlier today. I asked the guy how an axle would shift & he said that he hadn't ever seen it but the factory probably didn't tighten everything & since its past 1 year it is not covered. We drove home & I walked in the center & it still squeaks. So it's official we got ripped off. We learned our lesson. Also the water heater leaking at the cold water lines problem we had taken the camper in for at same time was covered by warranty but when I hooked everything up & tested it, it still leaked. Ugh so much for the dealer fixing things. But thank you everyone so much for your comments. You have all taught me a lot & I appreciate it. Oliver, we all have learned the lesson you have now received. some dealers are very good an others are not so good an rip you off so don't feel so bad (Smile)
As well as stated go to a good truck or spring shop an have them look at your springs an make sure they are seated correctly an while there have them install a wet bolt kit in the spring shackals/hangers with grease zerts, you won't regret it
Why do I say the above, the bushing in your spring shackals/hangers are made of cheap metral an ware pretty fast, so if you travel allot these bushings ware out an your riding on just the spring shackals/hanger bolts which ware an thus your complete spring system an axles will all move back an forth after a long period of time which is not good Ugh !!!
Not trying to scare you, well a little bit LOL, this problem may take a few years in some care's an others only a year or two... We have had a couple of owners here with 5th wheels that the bushing were shot in less than two years but they travel allot an put many miles on a heavy trailer ....
The other thing is that wet bolt kits with brass bushings are great, but if you don't keep up with greasing them they to will ware out, not as quick but they will ware out with lack of grease pretty fast as well, so keep them greased an you will have many more years of maintenance free problems
Safe travels
Chuck
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Post by myredracer on Jun 16, 2019 12:53:00 GMT -5
We have had two Sprees, both the same model. We got the Dexter equalizers and wet bolts installed on our current one. Major improvement over what the Sprees normally come with, but the suspension does creak sometimes. Pretty common. If you want noise, try a Reese DC WDH. I love pulling into a CG or gas station and it goes bam/snap/crack and it's so loud it scares the sn@t of of folks nearby... Gil, Deb and Dougal the Springer Spaniel 2014 KZ Spree 262RKS 2009 F250 |
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