Our 2000 Marquis Amethyst is at Josam's Wheel and Frame alignment shop in Orlando. Barry ran the coach onto their moving plate hydraulic system and set it in motion. The whole coach shook and shimmied. This to detect any looseness in suspension and alignment parts. After this test was successfully completed, we discussed the tag axle issues. Barry was suprised the inboard Sealmaster rod end bearing had a 3/4 inch threaded part when the outboard ball jointed end, has a 1 1/8th threaded end. Clearly the inboard end is a weak link. The drivers side rod end was bent and ready to let go. So both tie rods are now off the coach and at local machine shop that handles all Josam's work.
They are going to refit both rods with the largest inboard rod end bearing possible, up to 1 1/8th inch and replace the outboard end ball joints as well.
The radius (4) tie rods that hold the main drive axle, have split bushings. No movement was detected here, but as the coach is nearly 13 years old, we are going to have Josam's press in new bushings and then do a full alignment.
When you shift from neutral to ahead or reverse, and you hear a CLONK, it is these bushings that are the likely cause.
