GMC Motorhome Modification

[ralph d. edelbach]

I'm still busy gathering technical info about GMC Motorhomes before I
decide to take the plunge.
Just spoke to a mechanic who told me about some upgrade that should be
done to the rear suspension including replacing brake drums, spindles,
bearings, brake parts, the backing plate and perhaps some other items if
there are 4 notches instead of 8 where the wheel rim goes over the
center of the brake drum. At least I think that is what he said! Didn't
want to bother him anymore about that issue and thought I'd check to see
if anyone on the list is familiar with that process. He claimed that it
was a $4000 or $5000 job to do the upgrade but the GM does it free.
Sounds pretty good if true and would like to hear from anyone who has
any information on this matter.

The fellow also said that the frame is made up of two steel channels
inside one another and that it is important to check that there is no
excessive amount of rust between the two pieces, especially in the area
of the rear suspension. Any info on that point as well?

I will be most appreciate to hear from anyone about either issue. Thanks
to those who have already provided valuable information. I look forward
to possibly being able to reciprocate at some future time.

Happy motoring......Ralph Edelbach, Ringoes, NJ

 

[bartz paul]

Ralph:

First I've heard of such an upgrade. however, as you know, drum brakes
are subject to fading when used sufficiently to heat them up. One way
around that is to upgrade to disc brakes. There are two main ways I'm
familiar with, one of which I installed on our 78 Royale. The two range
in price between $2000-4000, exclusive of installation.

Regarding the frame, there is a subframe on both the front (holding the
engine, etc.) and the rear, to which you described. Yes you want to
make sure that there is no structural problem with the rear subframe,
since it parallels the main frame C channels more so than the front
subframe.

Paul Bartz, Kalamazoo MI

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ralph D. Edelbach [SMTP:edelbach]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 1997 8:53 PM
> To: A - GMC Motorhomes List
> Subject: GMC: GMC Motorhome Modification
>
> I'm still busy gathering technical info about GMC Motorhomes before I
> decide to take the plunge.
>
> Just spoke to a mechanic who told me about some upgrade that should be
> done to the rear suspension including replacing brake drums, spindles,
> bearings, brake parts, the backing plate and perhaps some other items
> if there are 4 notches instead of 8 where the wheel rim goes over the
> center of the brake drum. At least I think that is what he said!
> Didn't want to bother him anymore about that issue and thought I'd
> check to see if anyone on the list is familiar with that process. He
> claimed that it was a $4000 or $5000 job to do the upgrade but the GM
> does it free. Sounds pretty good if true and would like to hear from
> anyone who has any information on this matter.
>
> The fellow also said that the frame is made up of two steel channels
> inside one another and that it is important to check that there is no
> excessive amount of rust between the two pieces, especially in the
> area of the rear suspension. Any info on that point as well?
>
> I will be most appreciate to hear from anyone about either issue.
> Thanks to those who have already provided valuable information. I look
> forward to possibly being able to reciprocate at some future time.
>
> Happy motoring......Ralph Edelbach, Ringoes, NJ
>