> In a message dated 10/3/99 4:43:44 PM Eastern
> Daylight Time,
>
> > meljames_2000 (James Melberg)
>
> Hi Jim!
>
> Could you elaborate on the process you used to
> replace your frame rails? Do
> you have pictures? Did you have to replace/repair
> the bogie frame? Did you
> replace one side at a time? Did you remove the
> exhaust pipe? Holding tank?
> Gas tanks? ETC. Are you on the GMCnet?
>
> Scott
HREF="
http://members.aol.com/adohen1/page/Adohensupply.htm">ADOHEN
>
> SUPPLY CO, OTC-927
>
Scott,
We bought the frame parts, both side rails and the
bogie cross frame, from Cinnibar. They were to have
the parts done by a certain. We built a rack to fit
the stake pockets in my 94 Dakota and heavy enough to
support 2000 pounds. Don't know if the truck would
take the load, but the rack sure would. My wife and I
drove from St. Paul, MN to Sandusky and picked up the
parts. While there we asked if there were any special
things to look out for. The chief mechanic (?) had a
unit on a hoist that he raised up so we could get
underneath and walked me through the process, jacking
points, lifting points, what has to come out, possible
problems and suggestions as to what to do if they
occurred.
We hired my son Steve, a self professed and very fine
barnyard mechanic (some must have rubbed off onto him)
and a nephew who is a crackerjack millwright and grew
up in the north woods maintaining logging equipment.
For equipment we had oxy/acetalene with all necessary
fittings, a small 120v 70 amp stick welder, two 6 ton
floor jacks, 3 other smaller ones, four 6 ton floor
jack-stands and a multitude of lighter duty ones and
three sets of mechanics tools, Glen's, Steve's and
mine.
No pictures, sorry. By the time I thought of it, it
was way too late.
We replace both side frames and the bogie brace frame.
They were pretty badly rusted, particularly the
starboard (right) side. We raised the back end and
put two of the 6 ton jack stands under, picking up the
frame members at as solid points as we could find. We
then removed the rear frame and found it was also
going to need repairs, especially at the connections
to the side rails. Had a fried of my son who has a
steel fabrication shop cut out the rusted connection
ends, fabricate new ones and weld them in place and
welded reinforcment to the channels.
After the rear frame was removed, we took out the
waste tank. Thats when we decided the fitting from
the shower and bath sink probably caused most of the
rust problems, as is had a vertical crack from the
threads to the top rim, right past the o-ring. And it
is on the right side of the coach.
We repositioned the the jack stands under some body
pads that Cinnibar had pointed out which were exposed
when the rear frame was gone. Then we raised the
front end and set it up on the other two 6 ton
jack-stands. We then drained and removed the gas
tanks (not too bad a job considering I don't think
they had been moved since day one), the gas lines,
propane line, brake lines, parking brake cables, the
exhaust pipe from the "y" back, and all rear
suspension members. End of first day, about 6 hours.
Glen went to work the next morning with the cutting
torch while I took the rear frame to the shop. He cut
the nuts off all connector bolts and then cut the
bogie frame into pieces that could be easily handled.
Then started to install the new frame members. Slid
the side frames into place and made a one bolt
connection on each to the front frame. Slid the bogie
cross frame in from the back end, and again a loose
one bolt connection on each side. Put a medium duty
floor jack under it an raised the rear end of the now
loose frame assembly in place. Then we replace all of
the bolts. Forgot to mention, my son has a 5 hp
compressor with a 20 gallon tank and all the necessary
air tools. The bolts (all grade 8) were snugged up in
jig time. End of day two, about 10 hours.
Put in the gas tanks, gas lines, brake lines, bogies
(had to replace a leaking air bag on one), parking
brake cables and various and sundry other hoses and
fittings (not the rear frame or waste tank). Bled the
brake system, put gas in the tank and check all lines
and fittings for leaks. While the boys were doing
these things, I went to pick up the rear frame. By
the time I got back, they were done except as noted
above. End of day three, about five to six hours.
The unit is still sitting there with the back end up
in the air. Until I can find the proper fittings for
the waste tank I think it will stay there. People
have told me to use regular fittings and glue them in.
Don't like the idea of maybe having a rock go thru
the tank and having to cut pipe to get it down,
replumb above the floor to replace the cut pipe, etc.
Still looking for those fittings that screw into the
tank and provide a slip fit over the stubs coming down
from above the floor.
Once we get those fittings, my son and I should be
able to finish up in four or five hours. Expenses,
frame members $2550+/-, repair rear frame $50, grade 8
bolts and other hardware, $110+/-. Trip to Sandusky,
we don't count cause we did a lot of exploring of the
U.P. and northern L.P., so we kind of consisdered that
to be a vacation. Offered each of the boys $500 for
their help and expenses which they refused.
In a rather long nut shell, that is it.
Yes we are on the GMCnet.
Jim
=====
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Bid and sell for free at
http://auctions.yahoo.com
