Bent Bogey Arms

S

steven d. ferguson

New member
Aug 1, 1999
874
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GMCers,
I'm looking for some assistance with this problem. My pass/rear/front
tire is wearing heavily on the outside of the tread. I guess this is a
common malady with these coaches because that's the wheel that tags the
curb on short corners. I don't know if shimming will remedy the problem
or if I should remove the entire assy and have it straightened. IIRC
there was a past post on straightening these. Anyone else have this
problem or know of the solution?
TIA,
Steve F.
 
A small porta-power will easily push the arm back out. Phone Jim Bounds. He
can tell you exactly where to place it. My alignment shop was hesitant to do
this, as the arm looks stronger than it really is. I got them to phone Jim.
They did. He told them they wouldn't believe how easily the arm would bend.
When I picked up my GM they said, " We couldn't believe how easily it bent
back." I no longer have tire wear on the outside of that tire. Same as
your problem. Darren

> GMCers,
> I'm looking for some assistance with this problem. My pass/rear/front
> tire is wearing heavily on the outside of the tread. I guess this is a
> common malady with these coaches because that's the wheel that tags the
> curb on short corners. I don't know if shimming will remedy the problem
> or if I should remove the entire assy and have it straightened. IIRC
> there was a past post on straightening these. Anyone else have this
> problem or know of the solution?
> TIA,
> Steve F.

- --
Darren Paget
76 Experimental
Another Fab Day
http://www.TZEplus.com
 
> He told them they wouldn't believe how easily the arm would bend.
> When I picked up my GM they said, " We couldn't believe how easily it bent
> back." I no longer have tire wear on the outside of that tire. Same as
> your problem. Darren
>

That's sort of scary to me. If it is so easy to bend back, then it must be easy
to
bend out!

Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI
 
I believe that they meant for its apparent size. I don't think you can go out and
kick it straight, but get 12,000# behind it and bump a curb; I can see how it would
have to bend or break somewhere else. Darren

> > He told them they wouldn't believe how easily the arm would bend.
> > When I picked up my GM they said, " We couldn't believe how easily it bent
> > back." I no longer have tire wear on the outside of that tire. Same as
> > your problem. Darren
> >
>
> That's sort of scary to me. If it is so easy to bend back, then it must be easy
> to
> bend out!
>
> Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI

- --
Darren Paget
76 Experimental
Another Fab Day
http://www.TZEplus.com
 
Steve F.,

If your pass/ rear/front wheel is wearing on the outside of the tread, it
is toed in which is much better than wear on the inside of the tire which
would put you in "shim land"! That arm needs to be bent out to proper
spec. I would also imagine at least one other arm will also need some work.

Emory, thanks for those kind words. As you said, you had a tire that was
showing similar wear. I also found the other 3 arms needed to be brought
in line as well!

Wish I could heal your trouble by rubbing a copy of this post on the tire
but I think you would do better to stop by next time you come to visit
Mickey. Come on down and leave some of those tax dollars, we need some
road improvements!

Do not fear, your trouble can be fixed pretty easily. Just for grins, have
you checked your pins for wear?

Jim Bounds
- ------------------

>In a message dated 3/7/00 6:45:28 AM Mountain Standard Time,

>
> I'm looking for some assistance with this problem. My pass/rear/front
> tire is wearing heavily on the outside of the tread. I guess this is a
> common malady with these coaches because that's the wheel that tags the
> curb on short corners. I don't know if shimming will remedy the problem
> or if I should remove the entire assy and have it straightened. IIRC
> there was a past post on straightening these. Anyone else have this
> problem or know of the solution?
> TIA,
> Steve F.
> >>
>Talk to Jim Bounds. I had bad wear on one of my rear tires on the inside
>edge and had him just do a 6 wheel alignment and all 4 of my back wheels
were
>off. If it were from hitting a curb I believe that you would have too much
>toe in and the inside edge would wear more than the outside. It might be
>towed out.
>
>Jim bends the arms without taking off the bogies by using a hydraulic
press.
>He does this while watching the electronic alignment meters and may have to
>do it several times to get the correct setting as they spring back some when
>the pressure is taken off. I don't know what he does for a toe out problem
>but you can also adjust the toe-in/toe-out and camber with shims.
>
>Emery Stora
>77 Kingsley
>Santa Fe NM
>
>
 
Richard,

It may look easy & with the right equipement it is easy (a 6 ton short
throw ram). Pot holes & curbs aside, they will stay true though! The arms
were designed to flex so don't worry when you look at your back tire while
you are turning and wonder why the tires are pointing funny!

Jim Bounds

>> He told them they wouldn't believe how easily the arm would bend.
>> When I picked up my GM they said, " We couldn't believe how easily it bent
>> back." I no longer have tire wear on the outside of that tire. Same as
>> your problem. Darren
>>
>
>That's sort of scary to me. If it is so easy to bend back, then it must
be easy
>to
>bend out!
>
>Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI
>
>
>
 
Steve, have you tried a truck alignment shop. As you know,
most tractors (of tractor trailer rigs) have two rear axles,
and the alignment people are accustomed to dealing with
them.
Scott,
No, I haven't. JB's method of straightening the bogey arms must work
or he wouldn't be so successful so now I have to find someone who knows
how to do it while it's on the alignment pads.
What backs up the porta-power? The frame? I guess I need a picture to
really figure this out.
Steve F.
 
Steve, I am late in reading my e-mail, and someone may have
already answered your question about what to push against to
straighten the bogie arms.

Most of the time, the bogie arms are bent inwards from
contacting curbs, etc. In this case, the frame is the
logical place to push from with the Porta-Power jack.
However, most truck alignment shops have the capability to
straighten frames and have the equipment to pull or push the
bogie arms as needed. it may take a phone call or two, but
you should be able to find someone who has the equipment and
skills to do the job. Be sure to bring your alignment specs
with you, as they may not have any information on a GMC.

Scott Shean
Baton Rouge, LA
78 Royale

>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On
>Behalf Of Steven D.
>Ferguson
>Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2000 8:56 PM
>To: gmcmotorhome
>Subject: GMC: Bent bogey arms
>
>

>Steve, have you tried a truck alignment shop. As you know,
>most tractors (of tractor trailer rigs) have two
>rear axles,
>and the alignment people are accustomed to dealing with
>them.
>Scott,
> No, I haven't. JB's method of straightening the
>bogey arms must work
>or he wouldn't be so successful so now I have to
>find someone who knows
>how to do it while it's on the alignment pads.
> What backs up the porta-power? The frame? I
>guess I need a picture to
>really figure this out.
>Steve F.
>
>
 
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