BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Bob Disney on December 28, 2020, 08:49:51 PM
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My 2005 Monterey levels perfectly when I first push the travel mode. After it has been driven 10 miles or so the left side has dropped a few inches. We have replaced the ride height valves and have them both set to the recommended 10 inches.
I have been to HWH and they replaced a solenoid.
Is there another solenoid or valve that would stop the left side rear bags from staying inflated?
The right side stays inflated to the correct height.
I think the bushing on the torque bar is worn and will be replaced in AZ but I cant see how this is a problem with the valve.
We are hopefully leaving for Quartzite in a week. Would driving this as is, damage anything? I am planning on a appointment at Spectrac in Phoenix as nobody in the Des Moines area seems to know how to work on this.
Storms are coming this week so we will most likely be snowed in for a few days
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Since HWH recently checked things, this may not be what’s wrong. But the part is a system weak point that regularly fails and may have done so since. Have the left rear boot checked again. Haldex Midland RN10JC
But if it was shot I’d not expect you to raise to Travel Mode in the first place. A rare suspect might be a bag, but the left rear solenoid or a leaking line connector is more likely. Our similar coaches used connectors for which there are better options, as frequently discussed in threads here. To drop so quickly though, the issue is likely not just a leaky connector and shouldn’t be too hard for a good shop to find.
Joel
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Its kinda weird because when we get to a spot and set up leveling HWH part function fine. so I don't think its a bad bag or line
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I have left the coach sitting with the suspension in travel mode after dumping the air and refilling to travel mode. Its been sitting for about 5 hours untouched and unmoved, the level hasn't changed.
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Others here know better than I, Bob, but I don’t think the ride height apparatus has much to do with the leveling side. So as you likely suspect, the fact that you don’t lose level when parked implies the culprit is the left rear linkage boot or solenoid rather than line or bag leakage.
But if you didn’t level and just left it in Travel Mode, then perhaps road vibrations play into some loose component.
I’m surprised more members haven’t chimed in here for you by now; I’m hardly an expert on the air devices.
Joel
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Bob,
From reading all the info you have provided, the issue is only when you are in transit. That being said, you are losing air somewhere in the rear leveling system on the drivers side. The ride height valves in the rear control the side to side leveling when in transit. I would look for an air leak at the drivers side rear height control valve, air bags and related air hoses or the HWH 6 pack solenoid block that controls leveling when parked and ride height when in transit. Extreme caution is required while being under your coach! Here is a pic of the HWH 6 pack so you know what you are looking for. Hope this helps, Fred
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Bob
I think Fred is on the right path .
Seeing as the system will hold air when parked and leveled I assume on the air leveling system that would indicated the air bags will hold air pressure if they didn't the air leveling system would be trying to top that corner up constantly and the small compressor would be cycling frequently.
Knowing that things are good with the air bags and related lines back to the six pack it would lead me to believe that the problem is at the six pack valve block or the line from the ride height vale to the six pack.
There are several O rings on the solenoid valves in the six pack which have a habit of leaking .
As Fred said I'd start there with soap and water came look for leaks ( bubbles).
BE CAREFUL UNDER THERE ( these coaches are heavy and if it comes down unexpectedly you could be crushed.
For a better understanding of the system there is a manual in the coach assist section of the forum which can help you troubleshoot the problem.
Hope this helps and good luck
Eric
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Fred and Eric, where might the air 6-pack be located? One might confuse that assembly with the similar looking hydraulics solenoid manifold (slideouts) that’s probably near/under Bob’s entry steps.
Joel
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I'm not familiar with the 05 monterey but I would be looking at the structure above the rear axle.
Eric
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On my 2000 Marquis the rear 6 pack is above the differential and the front 6 pack is above the front axle in the center. HWH has used this same solenoid pack for many years so it should look just like the picture. Fred
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I went back and checked the paperwork from HWH
What they installed was a RAP1940 travel solenoid on the left rear.
So it would seem the only thing left is the electrical power to the solenoid
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A call to HWH with a symptoms description might prove helpful.
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There are six solenoids on each HWH valve body (hence the nickname "6-pack" manifold). So there are two Travel solenoids.
It may have a bad "right" side Travel solenoid this time.
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The left side is the on that's dropping
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Bob the fact that the coach moves back to travel height tells you the solenoid is working but for some reason the system can't maintain air pressure on that side air bags.
If the coach holds air when leveled the air bags must be good and the air lines back to there is pack
That only leaves the six pack and air supply to the six pack of the that side returned to ride height and then bleeds off and drops over time that would indicate that there is a leak which is depleting the air supply for the rear suspension and allowing the side which is leaking to drop.
As I said in my last text I would still suspect the travel solenoid O rings on the effected side or a defective line or leak in the fridge height control valve for that side.
Check out the service manual in the coach assist section for the HWH 600 air leveling system it should help you troubleshoot the source of you leak.
Eric
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The left side is the on that's dropping
I understand that it is the left side dropping - I was just not sure if the left side is dropping "as it should" due to coach cargo weight and road conditions - and the right side is staying "high" because the RHCV can't dump any air to lower the right side as needed (to match the left side height) due to a bad or sticking right Travel solenoid.
Maybe I need to reread this thread from the beginning. Good luck.
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Maybe I'm missing something. Bob stated that the problem only occurs when he is driving the coach. It maintains level when static, both in travel and level modes. So it would seem that he's not going to find any air leak when under the coach if it is sitting still as apparently the leak only occurs when road vibration is also present. If the preceding is accurate, IMHO his best bet is to take it to a shop that has a lift as I would be very hesitant to attempt to initiate an air leak in the leveling system while under the coach. His other option is to throw parts at it in hopes he'll find the leak.
Steve
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I agree Steve if the problem only occured when in motion it must be either an intermittent leak at lines ride height valve or air bag
To test the air bags I would place the coach on a wheel lift and raise it to work on it then disconnect the effected side leveling control riddance inflate the air bags as far as possible ( to the check strap) while observing the bags for leaks in the section of the bags which are usually hidden.
I'd follow that up by working the ride height valve through a full range of motion while listening for can air leak at the valve.
And finally I'd do a wiggle test on all the air lines to the effected side to try and office a leak.
But as you said this is not a job to be undertaken on the ground without at least placing the rear wheels on blocks to gain at least 15 inches of ground clearance when fully deflated because of the danger of sudden air lose which could be deadly.
At best this is a scary job and best left to a seasoned professional.
Eric
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I agree that under the coach with the issues Ive been having is no place to be.
I am planning on going to SPECTRAC in greater phoenix area when I'm gone, as I still haven't found a good service shop for this problem in the Des Moines area.
Has anybody had any experience with them?
Bob
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Bob,
We have no reports on Spectrac from members. That said, I know of at least one reputable RV sales and service shop that uses them for suspension work. They are on the east side of town. The only other shop with a lift I'm aware of is Masseys on the west side of town. I've used them since 2005 with no issues.
Let us know how Spectrac treats you.
BTW you asked about driving the coach with the list. Should not be a problem. A list can put some pressure on the drive shaft universal but it has to be pretty severe to cause an issue. I drove our Marquis from Van Horn TX to Chandler AZ (~ 550 miles) with blown air bags on the right rear with no problems except a very rough ride.
Steve