Getting Roxie Back on the Road

Blur911

Active member
Mar 29, 2021
269
67
28
Kingston, Ontario
Well, this isn't going to be a full rebuild thread, I hope.
Roxie had been sitting in storage for most of the last 20 years, so, of course there are a few issues. We got her just before xmas and drove home about 150km without incident on very weak brakes and very old v-belts.

So, the known issues are:

1. Need an airbag, or a new system.
2. Broken wheel stud, cv-boot on driver's front.
3. Battery charger and coach batteries.
4. ONAN needs a bit of work
5. Water system is torn apart (apparently someone stole the water pump and ONAN starter)
6. Roof leak in rear, cabinet damage.
7. Lots of little things, lights, air-compressor might be worn out, roof AC, etc. as they're noticed.


I've replaced the battery charger, out with the old one that apparently quit working and let my house batteries die. Thought they were toast but looks like they're ok now. I still have to reinstall with some sort of hold-down for the batteries. They were just sitting in there.


Out with the old.


In with the new. I've only connected one of the two outputs from the charger, might rewire things later as it's charging all batteries from that one output at times, have to figure it out. In the meantime, does anyone know if can/should parallel the outputs?


Also added a 50A breaker in case the charger blows up or shorts out, as well as a 120VAC switch to turn it off.
 
Next up is the broken wheel stud. I've found I probably have to get a bigger jack, I'll try with my 3-ton trolley, but it might not be enough to lift the front end. Going to look for a yellow Ford jack.
Anyhow, I guess I should order some parts. As most of you know, a simple wheel stud is not so simple to replace in these. So, I'm going to probably be installing new wheel-bearings as I have no idea how old or well lubed mine are. I'll also add the zerk fitting and whatever else is needed.
I'll need new bearings, cv-boot cover and cv-flange bolts.

Anything I should know about the above items? I'm planning on getting a Dorman 614004 boot, 2 ea bearing sets Timken 23, 2 ea seals - inner (e. g. Chicago Rawhide 25515) - outer (Chicago Rawhide 24888)

Also, is there an issue with getting fully threaded Ferry bolts for the CV flanges? I see the originals are partly-threaded, but are these ok: 3/8"-24 x 1" 12 Point Flange Bolt, Grade 9 Alloy, Plain & Oil, Fully Threaded

Anything else while I have it apart?
 
Burl,
We had trouble getting propane in Ontario, but we didn't use much anyway. We still have an electric water heater and fridge. We rarely use the cooktop and the oven appear to have never been used. After the propane explosion in Toronto, getting propane was impossible. So I removed the tank and set it up to use a 20lb BBQ tank. Still we rarely bring that with us.
At home we live in the country in a wooded area. We have a fire just about every night and cook dinner on the fire... tonight included.
Removing the tank gives us the room to store a small BBQ. We try to get a site with electricity because of the all electric fridge.
JWID
 
I think we'll use a fair bit of propane, mostly for the furnace. Our fridge also appears to be propane friendly and I do like to grill. At the moment there is no oven, we were thinking a microwave/convection was in our future.

I guess we're not sure how we'll be using her in the future, boondocking or campgrounds, not sure, probably some combo. We'd also like to have her as a "guest bunkie" at our cottage. Lots to think about and plan for.

In the meantime, I'm just scared to get this tank filled up with the age of it and the rust on the bottom. Also, as you said, it's hard to find places to fill it, so might have to carry a spare 20-pound anyhow.

I'm thinking that it's coming out
 
We have never had a problem finding a place to fill our onboard propane tank, and I cannot imagine traveling and camping without propane appliances. Our 3way frig is most efficient on propane, Hot water heater works efficiently, can have hot water in 15 minute when turned on in the morning, the propane furnace will drive us out of the coach in the coldest weather, and we use the propane 3burner stove top most every day. We spend 3-5 months a year in our coach and seldom need to refill more than once a year. In addition, we don't have to have electric hookups so can dry camp most anytime/anyplace we need to. IMO, take the tank out and have it pressure checked, clean it up, paint it, put new fittings and regulator on it and reinstall. JMHO
 
I think I'll take a bit of each. Take it out, install 20-pound mount.
Clean it up and see if I can get it inspected and pressure tested. If I hate swapping out smaller tanks and find places that will fill propane are plentiful I can swap back.
 
Burl,

As you do live in Ontario and there seems to be a lot to comply with if you have an ASTM code tank (which you do). Were I you, I would opt for the portable tanks.

I have a 23 and the tank space isn't good for much.

Matt
 
I think we'll use a fair bit of propane, mostly for the furnace. Our fridge also appears to be propane friendly and I do like to grill. At the moment there is no oven, we were thinking a microwave/convection was in our future.

I guess we're not sure how we'll be using her in the future, boondocking or campgrounds, not sure, probably some combo. We'd also like to have her as a "guest bunkie" at our cottage. Lots to think about and plan for.

In the meantime, I'm just scared to get this tank filled up with the age of it and the rust on the bottom. Also, as you said, it's hard to find places to fill it, so might have to carry a spare 20-pound anyhow.

I'm thinking that it's coming out
I still use my 62 pounder, no complaints. Fill it once per season usually. Furnace is the big consumer. Never a problem filling at Stinsons or Levac. There are others.
 
Burl,

Timken set 23 is a pair of tapered roller bearings with a precision spacer so that they end up with the correct end play. No normal human has to tools and skill to do this as a mix and match set.

Matt
 
Burl,

Timken set 23 is a pair of tapered roller bearings with a precision spacer so that they end up with the correct end play. No normal human has to tools and skill to do this as a mix and match set.

Matt
Ok, so one Timken Set 23 for each corner which is 2 bearings, in a set.
But now, I've just been doing some reading:
http://gmcmotorhome.info/front.html#ZERK
This seems to indicate that not all Set 23 Timken sets are the same. Is this something I should be buying from Rockauto or locally, or is this https://www.gmcrvparts.com/product-p/gset23.htm from JimK different and "clearanced for our application"?
Does it matter?
 
Burl,

As much as business as I have done with Rock, this is one part I would not buy from them.
I am hoping that JimKs have the spacer drilled or cut to let the grease through.

Matt
Thanks Matt
I'm awaiting an answer from JimK as to whether his bearings are drilled or clearance checked, or just regular off-the-shelf stock.

Edit, got a reply:
"Yes we use the Timken set 23 but the spacer is not drilled out for greasing. You always measure clearance after you press bearings on the Hub.
NICK"

Doesn't sound like they are any different or checked for anything beforehand? Dunno
 
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Burl,

If you want them ready for regreasing without disassembly, you could call Dave Lenzi. I suppose he would sell a set drilled and ready to go. Where it not for this stupid plague, you could drive your knuckles to Michigan and get Dave to do them right. It isn't cheap, but he has been doing this for years and still does not know what the service life of his knuckles is. I can only swear to about 40Kmiles.

Matt
 
A minor update. I found out the propane tank isn't empty as I was told. I also took a closer look and it really isn't in bad shape rust-wise. So for now I'll use it. I also added a new stay-longer fitting and hose.
That brings me to the next thing, I couldn't get the furnace to fire up, the fan runs, but that's all.
So I started taking it out, got to here and decided to check the temperature limit switch, it was reading 1.9M-ohm, with some fiddling and contact cleaner I got it to 90k-ohms. So, one is one order, hopefully that's all that's wrong.
I also noticed the nut on the propane hose is cracked, looks like a flaw rather than overtightening, but I want a new one.



Also found a hidden Pioneer amp for the rear speakers in there
 
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