Alert Axle shifted - Spartan Chassis on Newmar Dutch Star

[Neal]

I typically don't copy posts from Facebook here but please be aware and someone tell me how this happens!

 

[NWIP]

Well I was never very good at geometry but there is a thrust angle setting on the drive axle. I have been told that if not set properly the rear of coach crab walks and tag axle shifts trying to get it going straight. Spartan say allowable shifting of tag axle is +/- 1”.

I’ve had my coach aligned by Spartan and still wore out right tag axle tire. I recently had Newmar alignment at service center and will say they explained every setting along with cause effect if out of spec. Time will tell if tag axle tire wears out.

BTW mine never looked that far out as FB post

 

[redbaron]

when I bought my 2022, Brett told me about the problems they had with Spartan in the 2020-2022 range on the K2 chassis. They checked the K3, and said it wasn't the same design as the K2 and the problem wasn't possible. Those on K2 are told by spartan to check this every 6 months or 5000 miles, whichever comes first.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

when I bought my 2022, Brett told me about the problems they had with Spartan in the 2020-2022 range on the K2 chassis. They checked the K3, and said it wasn't the same design as the K2 and the problem wasn't possible. Those on K2 are told by spartan to check this every 6 months or 5000 miles, whichever comes first.

That My friend is unacceptable. Can they upgrade?

 

[Underboss]

But everyone pays 15k extra for a Spartan

 

[redbaron]

The whole Rv industry has issues. Seems like the more you pay the more you look the other way

 

[Kevin D Pem]

The whole Rv industry has issues. Seems like the more you pay the more you look the other way

What does that say about the consumer?

 

[team bradfield]

So this is only 2020 to 2022's?
I'm not aware of this issue

 

[redbaron]

So this is only 2020 to 2022's?
I'm not aware of this issue

They are the only ones that Spartan failed to tighten at the factory. But the manual covers all years of k2 with guidance to check those impossible to check bolts

 

[redbaron]

This is the recall for older ones.

 

[redbaron]

And from ChatGPT:


On 2018–2022 Spartan K2, K3, and K4 chassis equipped with the Reyco Granning RTS/RTSe rear suspension, Spartan issued Technical Service Bulletin CSB21-340-001 because critical rear suspension fasteners were found to be below the required torque specification.


What can happen if these bolts loosen is:

• The drive axle suspension assembly can shift relative to the chassis frame because the suspension hanger/bracket loses clamp load.
• Drivers may notice:
  • Rear-end “clunking”
  • Wandering or dog-tracking
  • Uneven ride height
  • Abnormal tire wear
• In severe cases, the suspension brackets can move enough to damage mounting holes or hardware. Spartan required inspection and re-torque to prevent this.

This is not a case where the axle housing itself detaches from the frame. On a K2:

• The axle is attached to the suspension (trailing arms/air suspension).
• The suspension is bolted to the frame.
• The concern is the frame-to-suspension mounting bolts, not the axle tube itself.

There was also an older recall


An earlier recall on some Spartan chassis involved tag axle suspension hangers moving, allowing the tag axle assembly to shift off center because the hanger attachment could move.


If you own a 2019 K2


A 2019 chassis falls squarely within the population covered by the 2021 rear suspension bulletin. If the bulletin has never been performed, I would recommend verifying:

• Drive axle suspension hanger bolts
• Tag axle suspension hanger bolts
• Torque rod bolts
• Crossmember fasteners
• Ride height before torquing (Spartan specifies approximately 8.25 in from the bottom of the frame rail to the wheel spindle center before checking torque).

If you can provide your Spartan chassis VIN (or at least the last 8 digits), I can determine:

1. Whether your exact chassis is covered by CSB21-340-001.
2. Whether there are any open recalls or campaigns.
3. The exact fasteners and torque specifications that apply to your suspension configuration.

 

[Neal]

What does that say about the consumer?

They don't understand "follow the money" and can't make smart decisions.

 

[team bradfield]

And from ChatGPT:


On 2018–2022 Spartan K2, K3, and K4 chassis equipped with the Reyco Granning RTS/RTSe rear suspension, Spartan issued Technical Service Bulletin CSB21-340-001 because critical rear suspension fasteners were found to be below the required torque specification.


What can happen if these bolts loosen is:

• The drive axle suspension assembly can shift relative to the chassis frame because the suspension hanger/bracket loses clamp load.
• Drivers may notice:
  • Rear-end “clunking”
  • Wandering or dog-tracking
  • Uneven ride height
  • Abnormal tire wear
• In severe cases, the suspension brackets can move enough to damage mounting holes or hardware. Spartan required inspection and re-torque to prevent this.

This is not a case where the axle housing itself detaches from the frame. On a K2:

• The axle is attached to the suspension (trailing arms/air suspension).
• The suspension is bolted to the frame.
• The concern is the frame-to-suspension mounting bolts, not the axle tube itself.

There was also an older recall


An earlier recall on some Spartan chassis involved tag axle suspension hangers moving, allowing the tag axle assembly to shift off center because the hanger attachment could move.


If you own a 2019 K2


A 2019 chassis falls squarely within the population covered by the 2021 rear suspension bulletin. If the bulletin has never been performed, I would recommend verifying:

• Drive axle suspension hanger bolts
• Tag axle suspension hanger bolts
• Torque rod bolts
• Crossmember fasteners
• Ride height before torquing (Spartan specifies approximately 8.25 in from the bottom of the frame rail to the wheel spindle center before checking torque).

If you can provide your Spartan chassis VIN (or at least the last 8 digits), I can determine:

1. Whether your exact chassis is covered by CSB21-340-001.
2. Whether there are any open recalls or campaigns.
3. The exact fasteners and torque specifications that apply to your suspension configuration.

Thanks for this info