| Trip report--good and some bad [message #303363] |
Sun, 10 July 2016 11:55  |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma:
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I just returned from a trip to Bolsa Seca beach near Huntington CA. It's one of the few state campgrounds were you can park along the beach. It's a great location and I was lucky enough to get a great spot that I had to reserve in Dec 2015. Before I left I noticed the GMC had some vapor lock even with the electric pump on. The Carter pump had failed once again (second one). I replaced it with a Carter turbine pump rather than a pulsating unit. The temps in Phoenix ran about 115 F and luckily no hint of vapor lock. I was also very pleased with the 10 blade fan and severe duty Hayden clutch ( stamped made in USA). The combination cycled as expected and the fan has a very muted whirring noise compared to the roar of the original. On the way to CA I noticed a moment of what felt like sudden wheel unbalance it the front with oscillating steering wheel feedback. I pulled over thinking I may have a tire coming apart. I couldn't see anything and wrote it off as rough road input. I-10 really is in rough shape all the way from Phoenix to LA area. I had no more issues and the coach ran great at about 65 mph even with some long grades after Quartzite. While camped, I had many people stop by wanting to learn more about the GMC. I even had one woman stop by who had one herself that she rents out. It made me feel good since I was surrounded by giant and expensive SOB's. On the return trip I was feeling very good about how well and smooth the coach ran esp with temps approaching 120. Suddenly on the west side of Phoenix I felt a sharp knock in the steering wheel as if I had hit something. That repeated a few times till all of a sudden the whole front end started shaking violently and I had to cross about 4 lanes of traffic to get off the highway quickly. When I slowed down, it went away and I decided to take surface roads for the rest of the way home. I did get it up to 55 once with no shaking. It appeared to be the left front that was shaking. I have never had a wheel bearing or CV joint failure but I'm suspicious of the LH outer CV joint. I was surprised by how violent the shaking was and then it went away. I could feel a direct hammering or lumpy feel in the steering wheel-almost to the point that I thought it may lock up. Has anyone experienced a similar condition? I can't see anything wrong--the CV boots are fine, and there is no looseness in the suspension or steering. I can't think of anything other than the wheel bearing or the outer CV joint. Thoughts?
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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