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Topic: Repair Needed - Near Chapel Hill, NC - Any Recommendations? (Read 497 times) previous topic - next topic
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Repair Needed - Near Chapel Hill, NC - Any Recommendations?
We hear a chirping/whining noise when we step on the gas going uphill. Guessing it's the tensioner or perhaps one of the pulleys.
Anyway, we're anxious to get it looked at and any repairs made before we head home (about 2000 miles) from our visit to Chapel Hill.

Would sure appreciate a recommendation for a place to take it.

TIA,
Kitty
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Repair Needed - Near Chapel Hill, NC - Any Recommendations?
Reply #2 –
If you decide to try a local Ford dealer, I would visit first, talk to a service manager, and see if they're willing to work on the RV.  Unfortunately, many aren't. 

This place will be happy to work on something as small as a LD.  I've had good experiences there.  They are full price, but fair and professional.
RV & Motorhome Service | Gregory Poole

If you're headed west towards CLT, I had a great experience with Hilbish Ford in Kannapolis:
Good Experience with a Service Center in Kannapolis, NC (Hilbish Ford)

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Repair Needed - Near Chapel Hill, NC - Any Recommendations?
Reply #3 –
Quote from: rich  - 
If you decide to try a local Ford dealer, I would visit first, talk to a service manager, and see if they're willing to work on the RV.  Unfortunately, many aren't. 

This place will be happy to work on something as small as a LD.  I've had good experiences there.  They are full price, but fair and professional.
RV & Motorhome Service | Gregory Poole

Rich

Thanks so much for the recommendation! Just took it in to Gregory Poole for an oil change and to get everything lubed. Very happy with their service!

He's sending us over to Crossroads Ford in Apex to look into the chirping noise as we give it gas going uphill - since Gregory Poole does not do warranty work and we're still under warranty. Will let you know what we think.

Crossroads Ford of Apex, NC | North Carolina Ford Dealership | Used Cars Apex

The service tech, John Klein, went above and beyond -  giving us his cell number, willing to chat if we have further questions :D

Also suggested we ought to have the drive shaft (bearing?) dropped by about 1/2 inch to improve the drive line angle to reduce the load on the transmission seal - a common problem with E450s when they add the RV body.
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
 
Re: Repair Needed - Near Chapel Hill, NC - Any Recommendations?
Reply #4 –
I’m guessing the chirping noise is your serpentine belt.  Let us know what they find.

I’ve heard good things about Rush Truck Centers.  I believe they may do Ford warranty work but you should verify that:

Find a Rush Truck Centers Location Near You
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Repair Needed - Near Chapel Hill, NC - Any Recommendations?
Reply #5 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
I’m guessing the chirping noise is your serpentine belt.  Let us know what they find.
We dropped off the rig on Friday. They test drove it, verified the chirping noise and, after investigating, called to say it's a pulley with a scary, bad looking bearing. When we'd inspected the serpentine belt ourselves, we did not see signs of wear or notice any visible pulley misalignment.

Because we're still under warranty, they've requested the part from Ford on emergency order; it should arrive on Monday.

FWIW, it took a bit to find a place willing to take the RV to do the work under warranty. We took it to the place Rich suggested (Gregory Poole) for an oil change and were able to get a reference for the warranty work; I'd already checked with 5 or 6 dealerships and all said they won't work on RVs. Had not realized it can be difficult to find a repair place.

The mechanic at Crossroads says in his experience too many of the RV manufacturers make changes under the hood making it hard for them to do warranty work and warned it often turns out to be an RV manufacturer warranty issue as a result. He was relieved to see our Lazy Daze has Ford parts and looks original :-)
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Repair Needed - Near Chapel Hill, NC - Any Recommendations?
Reply #6 –
Thanks for the follow up, Kitty.  Did they say which pulley it is?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Repair Needed - Near Chapel Hill, NC - Any Recommendations?
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Kitty  - 
Turns out it was the pulley built into the alternator, so they needed to replace the alternator.

Thanks, I'll make a note of it in case mine starts "chirping"!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Repair Needed - Near Chapel Hill, NC - Any Recommendations?
Reply #10 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Thanks, I'll make a note of it in case mine starts "chirping"!
My understanding is the chirping can come from any of the pulleys, but most often it will be either the tensioner or idler pulley.
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)