Saw this on the Forest River Forums

[Greyhawk01]

I copied this from another forum thought it might be worth looking in to and fogured i would post it here.


This was brought to my attention by a friend of mine that owns a Class A Thor Axis. There is a possible issue with the transmission shift cable on the Ford V-10 engines. The problem can affect both Class A and Class C Ford E350 and E450 chassis. The transmission cable passes very close - dangerously close to the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe. The heat from the exhaust can burn the shift cable protective sheath and disable the ability to shift the transmission.

To date there is no Ford recall.

To inspect, crawl under the coach on the driver side behind the front wheel. Go to just under where the drivers seat location is. Follow the exhaust pipe to the exhaust manifold. Right the the transition from the manifold to the pipe you will see the transmission shift cable routed down from the steering column, passing the manifold going to the rear section of the transmission.

My Class C E450 is fine but I did fine my cable had popped out of the clip that holds it away from the exhaust area. I was lucky. One Thor owner was not so lucky. This is not a RV make/brand issue it is a Ford issue.

For details on the Thor owners look here: Ford shift cable failure

[Greyhawk01]

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[Greyhawk01]

Here is a picture from the other site

[mike837go]

As somebody who does his own automotive repairs, I'd call that "A Problem".


There should be NO PLASTIC PARTS within 2" of the exhaust system. Preferably 6".


That is some really poor engineering. The cable can slip from the clip too easily. The quick fix would be to get the cable under the clip and run a self-drilling and tapping screw through the tail of the clip to guarantee the cable stays put.


Then have Ford issue a new cable that routes no where near the exhaust system.


[end rant]

[Oklahoma Dan]

Perhaps if there is enough clearance put some DEI exhaust wrap around the pipe in that small section which eliminates the pipe's high heat from affecting that cable. A fast and cheap fix perhaps that Ford would come up with anyway. Just a thought before I climb under my motorhome to look at this. And thank you for the heads-up sir.

[Greyhawk01]

Checked mine today i didnt feel like crawling under so i took the dog house off. Cable was still in the clip. The cable runs close to the manifold and the clip securing it is flimsy so i will keep checking it everytime i change the oil. It is next to the oil filter.

[Dlivrr]

Wow.
Thanks for heads up!

[busguy]

Appreciate the heads up as well.

I checked mine today when I changed the the oil. Mine was still in the clip as well