BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Trige Gleim on March 18, 2023, 01:56:02 AM
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I'm not sure what this arm is called but it was bent by a roadside assistance company when changing the outside tandem tire. I was not aware of the issue until today, 5 months after the incident. Fortunately we've been sitting still all winter so we haven't been driving around with this condition. The problem was noticed today when we had some new tires installed. Thanks to Barnett Tire in Leesburg FL for pointing out the concern. As you can see the arm is bent from where the jack was used. I think this is a big issue. It looks like the arm connects the frame to the axle. I'm concerned the motorhome may not travel straight down the road and the tires will wear poorly. First, I would appreciate comments on how big a deal this is. Secondly, where should I look for a replacement arm? Thank you
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I think its a 'control arm' Send a pic to the guys at Source Engineering in Eugene, Or. They are chassis specialists. Oh, and don't call that road service ever again!
https://sourcerv.com/
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Trige,
Honestly, I would take it off and try to straighten it out. I would keep an eye out for a new part because I like everything to be as correct as possible, but I have seen used parts that were in worse shape than yours.
If you get it straight you could also reinforce it. The bend will shorten the arc by a small amount, but not much. You are probably within 1/8th inch of where you were originally right now. Worse case scenario it could be fabricated by any decent welder, but the hardness of the metal is unknown.
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Ive oft fixed stuff using the “what goes up must come down” theory of seat of my pants repair. If that heavy rail is directly above the arm, and a jack could fit between them, you might be able to press the arm back down the way it came. But a scissors jack might be the only type to fit, and its screw mechanics be inadequate. A house or hydraulic jack wouldn’t fit. But you might engineer something based on the idea.
Otherwise I reckon I’d remove it and haul it to a farm or truck machine shop; a farm equipment dealer repaired a bent flail mower shaft for me, to exacting measurements and little cost.
Joel
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Trige
The torque rod you are looking at is one of four and the mounting is called a four link suspension system the bend in one of the links on one side will tend to move that side of the axle forward causing the vehicle to dog track ( go up the road sideways )
Which also messes up the front end geometry ( steering wheel center etc. )
The bend you show there does not look significant to make any major change but it would be prudent to remove the link and have it straightened as Joel suggested, if your not comfortable with that you could call Source Engineering for a new one.
Hope this helps
Eric
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Trite
Seems like you have some good answers here.
Source Engineering is in Vaneta Or. just 15 miles or so out of Eugene. They did good work for us there and at a very reasonable price. Send pics there and get confirmation of these answers but they seem on point.
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Thanks everyone for the feedback. I ended up taking our coach to the Tampa Spring Company in Ocala Florida and they fixed us up. They removed the arm, straightened it and also reinforced it. Took some measurements comparing it to the arm on the other side and also did an alignment check. Everything looked great. Thanks again!
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Thats good to hear.
Happy travels
Eric