Our Sunny hauler got sick..

EMD_Driver · 02-21-2012, 07:32 PM

I had been feeling something odd in the dually, for a few months and it got worse when we towed the 344 home. When I would take off from a stop, I could feel a clunk..clunk..clunk until I got the speed up. I couldn't tell if it was a U-joint, or in the rear differential. The U-joints were all tight and the carrier bearing only had a small amount of play in it.

We went to Edinburg, VA yesterday, to look at a F450 that had been converted from a work truck and into a dually pickup. The truck had a GVWR of 18,000lbs and a GCWR of 26,000lbs! Anyway, Kitty didn't like the truck and gave me the thumbs down.. It turned out that the place with the truck was also a heavy duty truck shop.

When I explained the issue I was having, the guy explained to me what the most likely problem was and how to rule out anything else. They also said that the best way was to remove the diff cover and have a look. To hear the guy talking, you would have thought you were talking to JohnB! He also made it sound like it was no big deal.

It could simply be a differential bearing, or it could be a bad ring gear.. We took the truck to them yesterday and hope they can look at it soon.. Kitty asked me why I just didn't do it myself. When I told her it would require me to buy a whole new set of tools for the job, she agreed with my decision to leave the truck with them and let them do the work.

With the 344 being so much heavier than the 311, I/we can't afford to lose a differential! I would hate to have to call Lowell to rescue us again. Only to find out that his truck wasn't up to the task!

**JohnB** · 02-21-2012, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

When I told her it would require me to buy a whole new set of tools for the job, she agreed with my decision to leave the truck with them and let them do the work.

Oh mannnnnn.... Pass up an opportunity to get more tools...

Kitty was probably right. This one might be cheaper to have them do it if you do not have the stands etc.

Bummer if it is a ring gear. The last time we had a ring gear pit in the teeth was on my Uncles 3500 Chevy stake body dully truck. He heard it more are high speed. No big clunks. We did that one ourselves. I was a lot younger then... Teenager actually.

Hope things come out OK.

John

HappyCampers · 02-22-2012, 09:07 AM

Bring it on. I'll tow anything, anytime, anywhere. ; ) What's the GVRW on that? I wouldn't think its too much heavier than the Sandpiper.

PS. You should have bought a Cummins.

**Sunline Fan** · 02-22-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyCampers

PS. You should have bought a Cummins.

Oh no, getting some popcorn now

EMD_Driver · 02-22-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyCampers

Bring it on. I'll tow anything, anytime, anywhere. ; ) What's the GVWR on that? I wouldn't think its too much heavier than the Sandpiper.

PS. You should have bought a Cummins.

14,500lbs...

I would gladly have bought a Cummins, if it came wrapped in a Ford wrapper!

1979Sunline · 02-22-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyCampers

Bring it on. I'll tow anything, anytime, anywhere. ; ) What's the GVRW on that? I wouldn't think its too much heavier than the Sandpiper.

PS. You should have bought a Cummins.

good man

HappyCampers · 02-23-2012, 03:41 AM

I agree. I would love to have a Ford body with a Cummins, backed by an Allison. Drooling.
The Sandpiper GVRW is 14,200. If I remember correctly it was around 11,500 dry weight when I scaled it right after purchase. I will have to find the scale ticket.

kanyonkitty · 02-23-2012, 07:05 AM

HUM, might just have to have another "OPEN HOUSE" this year at Buttonwood, so all those that want to see inside the 344 can. BUT, ya'll don't have to wait for an open house, all you have to do is ask to see inside, and we will show you.

Kitty

ihsolutions · 02-23-2012, 02:06 PM

14,500lbs for a Sunline 5'er? Really?

My F-293SR was around 10,500 and had three slides as opposed to the two on the 344.

Oh, it just hit me, you are probably talking GVWR, not unloaded weight.

Still, even my 12,000lb empty Big Horn only weighs around 13,500lbs loaded to the gills. That's with empty tanks though. Still nowhere near the 18k GVWR.

Jeff

EMD_Driver · 02-23-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihsolutions

14,500lbs for a Sunline 5'er? Really?

My F-293SR was around 10,500 and had three slides as opposed to the two on the 344.

Oh, it just hit me, you are probably talking GVWR, not unloaded weight.

Jeff

Jeff,

The 14,500lbs is the GVWR.. The empty weight is 10,860lbs.. I NEVER go by the empty weight.. I've seen the empty weights get too many people in trouble..

beecrazy · 02-23-2012, 04:44 PM

EMD,

When you checked the u-joints did you remove the propshaft/driveshaft and physically feel them?

When u-joints fail they get tighter first, then they get loose (most of the time).

Plus if you checked them while the shaft was still installed you can't actually feel if they are bad unless they are so far gone that the needles have turned to dust by then. (Sorry if you know this, just trying to help out

)

Hopefully it is something cheap!

Good luck!

P.S. As far as the Cummins/Dodge thing goes, I just put a rear u-joint in my truck last fall!

Don

EMD_Driver · 02-23-2012, 05:45 PM

They were all still well-lubed and tight.. I'm thinking it was a bearing in the differential..

HappyCampers · 02-25-2012, 09:18 AM

I just found the scale ticket in my file cabinet. Empty weight was 10,400. Nothing inside, no water. I scaled it on the way home from the dealer. I know the truck weighs in at approx 7700 lbs. at the feed mill scales.

SandPiper
4540 Steer axle
5500 Driver axle
8080 Trailer axles
18120 Total CAT Scales 3/12/11

The F-304 was loaded on the way home from Buttonwood. No water.

4880 Steer axle
6040 Drive axle
8920 Trailer axles
19840 Total CAT Scales 7/19/09

EMD_Driver · 03-01-2012, 01:25 PM

I got a call from the shop today and they say that my diff is just plain worn out. Side gears, ring and pinion gears are all worn badly. The bearings are also about shot, especially the driver's side carrier.

They quoted me three prices..

1) Only replace the side gears and bearings... $1,000 parts and labor. Pretty much, a "Band-aid" fix.

2) Replace the whole differential, with a rebuilt unit and new bearings... $1,600 parts and labor. Also includes a 1 year, unlimited mileage parts warranty.

3) Replace the whole differential, with an entirely new Jasper unit. $3,000 parts and labor. Includes a 3 year, unlimited mileage warranty. That warranty also includes parts, labor and towing.

Anybody have any other ideas??

Jim-Bev-2363 · 03-01-2012, 04:11 PM

Door #3

1979Sunline · 03-01-2012, 05:40 PM

option two for me

EMD_Driver · 03-01-2012, 05:48 PM

Thanks for the replies...

Option 3 would be the ideal solution for us, but would put more of a strain on our finances. I will probably have to go with option 2, as that is the most feasible for us right now..

**JohnB** · 03-01-2012, 06:22 PM

Gary, how many miles are on the truck? I have not heard wearing out a rear axle in a really long time. Unless along the way sometime in it's life you had an oil leak.

I agree, no 2 as no 1 you will be back again sooner then later.

EMD_Driver · 03-01-2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

Gary, how many miles are on the truck? I have not heard wearing out a rear axle in a really long time. Unless along the way sometime in it's life you had an oil leak.

I agree, no 2 as no 1 you will be back again sooner then later.

John,

The truck has 313,000 on it right now.. The guy that owned it before the guy I bought it from, didn't take real good care of it.

When we were bring the 344 home, I decided to check the diff fluid and found a lot of black fuzz on the fill plug magnet. It was also 2/3 of a quart low..

I'd rather have it fixed properly and not take any chances towing with it.

beecrazy · 03-01-2012, 07:04 PM

Ditto for option 2.

A "new" Jasper???? Jasper rebuilds so how can it be new is my thought.

Essentially a rebuild like in #2 will be like #3. The only difference that I can see would be that the Jasper unit will be all pretty and painted. ( maybe it would come with new bearing and seals in the hubs where I am not sure that #2 would???)

Good luck with the work!

Don