Low Rear End - Printable Version

Low Rear End - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Low Rear End (/showthread.php?tid=8129)

Low Rear End - Frankie4Fingers - 08-29-2024

Hey, so I am pretty new to my coach but I think I have a rear air leak. After leveling, I can hear it letting out air somewhere. I will need to get this fixed, but in the meantime, how low to the ground can I be and still drive the coach safely?

I need to be able to drive the coach from St Louis to Pennsylvania to get it titled and registered and I can't wait here to get it repaired because shops can't fit me in until a month or more. I want to make sure I can safety drive it.

I called Newell and the service tech told me some way to check to see if the height was ok, but I have no idea what he was talking about. He said something about some tube or bar that you could measure 12 inches from the ground and that would be good, but I don't know what he is talking about as I don't see anything that looks like what he said.

Any help would be appreciated.

RE: Low Rear End - 360 - 08-29-2024

I would call Harmon Truck Service in Sullivan, MO and have them take a look before you head out. They generally can get you in pretty quickly in a pinch like this. Just ask for Fred as he's the service manager. Also, feel free to give me a call at 314-303-4324 to walk you through how to measure, etc.

RE: Low Rear End - Tf175 - 08-29-2024

Apart from the obvious ground clearance danger, if the coach gets too low the tires will contact the wheel wells . Are both sides equally low ?

RE: Low Rear End - smagown - 08-29-2024

Make sure your tag axle switch is in the center position.

RE: Low Rear End - Frankie4Fingers - 08-29-2024

(08-29-2024, 03:03 PM)Tf175 Wrote: Apart from the obvious ground clearance danger, if the coach gets too low the tires will contact the wheel wells . Are both sides equally low ?

Yea, I am mostly worried about ground clearance. I know I bottomed out on the hitch when I came out of a gas station.

Both sides do lower equally. I don't seem to be lower in any particular direction.

The tag switch is in the middle.

Also, I can hear air coming out after I manually raise the rear end with the leveling. I just can't see where it is coming from.

RE: Low Rear End - Tf175 - 08-30-2024

I don't know where the valving that controls the air suspension is located on your '98 . On my '86 the valves are in the right engine compartment, forward bulkhead . Yours should be accessible, you can listen ,spray with soapy water to look for leaks .
Are you switching to travel mode before driving ?
It could be automatic on your coach .
I have a switch that puts it in manual leveling mode .

RE: Low Rear End - Frankie4Fingers - 08-30-2024

(08-30-2024, 04:35 AM)Tf175 Wrote: I don't know where the valving that controls the air suspension is located on your '98 . On my '86 the valves are in the right engine compartment, forward bulkhead . Yours should be accessible, you can listen ,spray with soapy water to look for leaks .
Are you switching to travel mode before driving ?
It could be automatic on your coach .
I have a switch that puts it in manual leveling mode .

Ok, so there might be a way to access the valves without going under the vehicle?

I don't know yet whether drive mode will keep the rear up some. I will check before I leave. Right now, I know for sure that it lowers itself in the back even if I lift it up manually. The mud flap was off the ground and then 5 minutes later it is touching the ground and the hitch is almost on the ground. I also hear air escaping somewhere in the back after manually leveling the rear.

I will give the drive mode a shot to see if it also is too low. From what I remember on my driving so far, the rear seems to be lower than the front by a ways when I was driving actively, but I will verify the next time I have the engine running.

RE: Low Rear End - encantotom - 08-30-2024

corey, give me a call

i will email you my phone number

tom mccloud

RE: Low Rear End - rvguy - 09-04-2024

could be bad leveling valves or could be air bag issues. I Own coach 480 and have had to replace all of it due to the same issues. I can try to walk you thru some troubleshooting if ya need help, just pm me.

RE: Low Rear End - Frankie4Fingers - 09-04-2024

(09-04-2024, 06:49 AM)rvguy Wrote: could be bad leveling valves or could be air bag issues. I Own coach 480 and have had to replace all of it due to the same issues. I can try to walk you thru some troubleshooting if ya need help, just pm me.

Tom helped me. I did find that it only happens when I level the coach and not when I am in travel mode. The "supply" air does drop over time no matter if I level the coach or not so there is a leak somewhere for sure.