M2 sway bar alert!!!

[Colombo]

I came across this on another forum about the M2 having it's rubber bushings fall apart on the front sway bar. If under warranty it sounds like you can have sway bar mounts replaced with safer ones. If not sounds like parts alone are over $1,000.00.
I wish I would have had this information before our little misshap back in December, although I do not know what the condition of our bushings were at the time of the accident and or if it really would have helped in our situation.

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[Colombo]

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[ed4ster]

Colombo, funny I was reading about this problem last night on the Forest River forum under Dynamax. It seems that this Freightliner Service Bulletin is dated Sept 2010 and Freightliner is still using the older designed parts.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ms-139210.html

Within the Forest River posting some folks have just replaced the bushing and moved on.

I just checked my bayonet bushings, the lower ones look ok, the top ones are dried-out, hardened, like toast. I guess I will be visiting our local Freightliner service center.

ed

[SloPoke]

I have had mine replaced under warranty... they had to get the new parts ordered as the local Freightliner dealer did not have them in stock (they said that there are very few medium duty trucks that have a front sway bar installed from the factory).

I took it in complaining of the suspension noise while on concrete interstate pavement... it was visually obvious that the front stabilizer bar bushings were gone before I took it in. I now think I should have taken pictures of it while it was broke.

[McGintys924]

Just got under my 2018 with just over 2000 miles as I was installing the TPMS and found that our bushings are bad as well. Can you imagine if what Columbo said is true, that this flaw had some part of his roll over! We need to be checking this for all our families safety.

[Dananu]

Just installed third set of bushings at 40000 mi.(including 2 trips to Alaska). $1000 for parts sounded like it must include bar-- no it didn't. Decided 4 bushings at $5 ea and easy to replace was the way I would go.

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[javamon]

Originally Posted by Dananu

Just installed third set of bushings at 40000 mi.(including 2 trips to Alaska). $1000 for parts sounded like it must include bar-- no it didn't. Decided 4 bushings at $5 ea and easy to replace was the way I would go.

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Did you buy bushings based on ID and OD? Polyurethane? Appreciate any part info if you have it. I may just go ahead and replace mine and be done with it, especially if I can find polyurethane bushings. Thanks!

[javamon]

I could not get a good look at the Columbo's diagram because when I enlarged it, it was too fuzzy. Went and got the actual pdf (attached) and then realized that this is not really a bushing issue, it's a sway bar design flaw that is eating the bayonet bushings. The hardware fix in the Service Bulletin does not just replace existing bushings. It retrofits the upper sway bar to a clevis style bushing.

[Dananu]

Agreed. The fix involves almost $1000 of parts from Freightliner.

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[Dananu]

I got the bushings from Freightliner.

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[RVermont]

Just found one of the top ones on my unit has also failed. Only 4500 miles. Looks like a trip to freight-liner.


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[RoWest]

I am no rocket scientist, but that bayonette/bushing design seems like a recipe for failure. 5500 miles this summer to WA and OR, and the steering was no way as sure as when I feel in love. Crawled under and bushings dried and failed. Can't sneak the clevis upgrade past the wife at the price.....

[RoWest]

https://www.etrailer.com/Anti-Sway-B...SABEgIRxvD_BwE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uPy3oRmbkU

Replace the whole thing for $560 with polyurethane bushings and improved clevis-style?

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by RoWest

Replace the whole thing for $560 with polyurethane bushings and improved clevis-style?

My only concern is that in the video he states it is for an 8,000 lb. axle, and the Roadmaster website shows the same rating on the application chart. However my Seneca has a 10,000 lb. rated front axle. I suppose a conversation with Roadmaster might be necessary to ensure it would work. But sure seems less expensive, and incorporates poly bushings, as compared to the revised Freightliner parts.

I wonder if anyone makes replacement polyurethane bushings, as a kit, to replace the originals. That would sure be more economical than converting for those of us out of our Freightliner warranty.

Strangely enough, my 2014 has a little over 20K on the odo and my bushings still are 100% intact. How did I luck out? Was there more than one supplier? I know it isn't the roads I drive on!

[pmdevries]

This was posted as a possible polyurethane replacement in another thread on this forum. Wonder if anyone has tried yet? Pretty cheap to buy and try.

Energy Suspension 9.8103 - End Link Grommets - Truck. Energy Suspension ENE-9.8103G

[Dananu]

Originally Posted by pmdevries

This was posted as a possible polyurethane replacement in another thread on this forum. Wonder if anyone has tried yet? Pretty cheap to buy and try.

Energy Suspension 9.8103 - End Link Grommets - Truck. Energy Suspension ENE-9.8103G

These have 7/16 ID and we need 1/2 ID.


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[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Dananu

These have 7/16 ID and we need 1/2 ID.


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I did see in one of product reviews the exact same concern. They stated they drilled them out with a sharp 1/2" bit and they then worked well. I may do that exact same thing when mine need renewal.

[ed4ster]

I dropped our rig off at our local Freightliner service center to have a oil leak repaired and to look at our bayonet bushing on the sway bar. Freightliner agreed to upgrade the sway bay system per the 32-47 Service Bulletin.

Also asked them for an estimate to install an air-dryer. They gave me a verbal price $2,500 without tax. With a statement it could cost more or less. I am not one to feel to fuzzy on the verbal quote since it's my money being spent.

I had also contacted another service center a couple of hrs away for an estimate, they came in with $2,260.00 including tax. I will most likely go with this one since it is on paper without any fuzz!

regards

ed

[Crossingover]

Originally Posted by ed4ster

Freightliner agreed to upgrade the sway bay system per the 32-47 Service Bulletin.

Free upgrade?

[ed4ster]

Crossing over, yes covered by warranty.

ed