GMC Work Rally in Baltimore 6/23-6/25

[werewilfs]

Hosted by Tom Katzenberger

Hello all,
I am looking at another work party to happen on the afternoon of June 23 and all day on 24 and 25. All who are willing to get their hands dirty and learn while working on their coaches are able to participate.
The goal is to get as many of our coaches ready for the fall GMCMI rally as possible. That being said this work party will focus on Bearings and Brakes. Keeping them rolling and stopping.
Meals can be pitch in or pitch in for pizza etc. The goal is to teach each other how to maintain the brakes and bearings.
The work party will again be held at 4501 E. Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21224.
Take care and stay healthy,

 

[LarryW]

Hey Tom, Just a suggestion....While you are under there how about everyone check the lower A frame ball joints. Here is a post that I did 6yrs ago that kinda outlines things.
So good to see you at GMCMI in Hattiesburg. It was a good time for all!

The Greater Midwest Classics had a "work" rally in August of 2017. As one the workers, I was charged with checking the lower A arm ball joints of every coach that was put on either of the two racks. Not necessarily checking for a bad joint, but rather checking for replacement ball joints that were improperly installed or loose. The original ball joints were riveted in place, and according to the manual, (GMC Motorhome Maintenance Manual X-7725) on page 3A-17 under "Ball Joint Checks", a pry bar is used to check for play. The "reading must not exceed .125". That is 1/8th inch. Unfortunately most alignment shops will check for play and to them any play at all is unacceptable, so they charge you for, and replace ball joints that don't need replacement. Consequently there are many coaches out there with new lower ball joints that have been replaced using the grade 8...5/16" bolts that come in the package. These new ball joints are held in place with three bolts. One larger bolt that goes down from the top through the A frame into the ball joint. In addition then, there are two 5/16", bolts on the "Ears" of the joint. These 5/16" bolts are inadequate for this application. Over time these bolts come loose and can lead to lower arm failure in cracks that can appear around the larger bolt hole or can loosen to the point of falling out, which can eventually lead to a cocking of the joint which changes the camber and can wear out tires in a hurry. If you have replacement joints, the top larger bolt should be checked first for tightness. Then the 5/16" bolts should come out and be replaced with 3/8" X 1 1/4" grade 8 international fine button bolts and you should apply several drops of red Lock Tight to the threads. When drilling out the hole for the larger bolts, use progressively larger drills or reams, until the bolt has a lightly snug fit in the hole. Of the 15 coaches that I checked, EVERY ONE of the lower arm ball joints were loose, and in several cases, bolts on the ears were missing. Even two of the four ear bolts on mine were loose, and I had the 3/8" bolts in place, but without the Lock Tight.

With that kind of a record, everyone should be checking the the bolts on their lower ball joints NOW. JMHO and HTH someone.

 

[werewilfs]

Great idea Larry. We'll take a look.

 

[LarryW]

Jared,
It should be noted that if the motorhome still has the original ball joints in place and they measure .125 or less of play, leave them in place and regularly give them a shot of grease. The original joints that are riveted are still the best choice for our motorhomes.
As for the button bolts, the button bolt is necessary for the thinner head. Standard hex head Grade 8 bolts have a thicker head on them than the button bolt and will act as a stop when turning the wheels lock to lock. Except for the 1973 GMC’s, the 74-78 GMC’s steering was not designed to be stopped at the far reach left or right at the lower A-arm. The stop is built into the steering box. When it reaches its left or right limit, the steering box is designed to bleed off hydraulic pressure, keeping the knuckle from hitting the A-arm. If you install a hex head 3/8" bolt in place of the 5/16” bolt or original rivet, because the bolt head is thicker than the button bolt, the 3/8” bolt head becomes the stop. Then the hydraulic pressure of the power steering pressing the knuckle against the bolt head, wreaks havoc on many parts in the steering system, especially the lower control arm ball joint and its mounting points in the A-arm. Button bolt heads are thin enough to replicate the rivet that was originally in there. As for the 73’s, there was a factory recall (very quiet recall) that had the dealerships weld a hunk of steel onto both sides of the lower A-arm to act as a stop.
Here is pic of a standard Grade 8 3/8" bolt and a grade 8 3/8" button bolt for reference.

 

[werewilfs]

Had a fabulous work rally in Baltimore this last weekend. Had 8.5 coaches there. (2.5 of those happened to belong to Tom Katzenberger of course).

I personally was able to get my rear bearings all packed and ended up changing one out completely that had its race spinning. (Thankfully Tom had a spare hub). Eric Tanner helped me with my air conditioning and found a solitary connection with a disintegrated O ring. After charging the system, it's blowing nice and cold.



Marco Kathuria was able to get his bearings all packed as well and we were able to put a plan together to resolve some weird PO issues with the fuel system. (In addition to cooking for all of us... yummm)

Jean Kubisen got a fuel problem resolved (hopefully) and sealed part of her roof seams as well as started getting the marker lights put in.


Rick Denny was able to get a good look at his front end and got a plan of action in place to replace his boots.


Scott Sommers stopped by on Saturday to show his new air conditioning system installed under his couch. Very slick.

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New GMC owner Vic DeMattia and his friend John came up from St Mary's in southern Maryland. They spent the whole day asking questions and came away with a renewed resolved to get his coach up and running.



It was a grand time. Any time you get a bunch of GMCers together, good times are had. Special thanks to Tom and Oki Katzenberger for their generous hospitaility and letting us use their business for the weekend.


Some more pictures of the great event for your viewing pleasure.

 

[tmsnyder]

Wow, what a facility!! Very nice, Oki and Tom!

 

[Rdenney]

We had a great time. I almost didn't make it--my outer boots are cracked from dry rot but are still together. I bought boots with the intention of installing them before the trip, so I could spend time helping with other projects, but work was too time-consuming and I couldn't get it done. I did repair some leaks in the air system, though, and that fixed an intermittent issue that had bothered me for several years. Jared wouldn't let me use the CV boots as an excuse to stay home, and Rick Michelhaugh (the Michelhaughs were visiting last weekend and Jared and Stephanie joined them for some sight-seeing) also applied pressure. Jared persuaded me to replace the boots at the rally. But I ran into confusion about what it took to remove the CV joints from the shafts used in the one-ton front end. Some said they were press-fit, but Manny told me that they did use a spring clip. But he also said replacing the boots isn't that easy. At home with no pressure of time, I would have just figured it out, acquiring tools as needed. Rather than risk getting stuck beyond the point of no return at Tom's facility, though, I thought it better to button it back up and put it on the list for repairs in the Garage-Mahal. Manny to the rescue there, too. And I did invest in a CV boot stretcher tool. The coach brought me home with no issue.

But boy it was great to get the coach out on the road again. It ran great and drove perfectly. That adds a big chunk to the Confidence Coefficient. And we enjoyed meeting new folks and hanging with old friends like the Tanners.

Tom and Oki were great. We had met at the International in Mansfield a few years ago, but this rally provided an opportunity to get to known them both much better. Tom's Birchaven project shows a level of meticulous perfection far beyond what I'm willing to demonstrate, even if I had the ability.

I want to thank Jared for making it really difficult for me to back out. Were it not for he and Rick Michelhaugh, I wouldn't have made it happen, and the coach would still be sitting in the shop with old gas in it.

Rick "needed the push" Denney

 

[werewilfs]

Considering I've been on the side of the road twice this camping season, I needed that push as well. So me pushing you was really just me pushing myself as well. I had to stay on the horse. I've got a brand new Barry Owen engine in this thing as well as a brand new Lenzi hub and knuckle. There's no reason to be hesitant now. Just gotta keep on trucking. Tom provides a lot of infectious enthusiasm as well which certainly helps.

 

[Tom Katzenberger]

Oki and I were very happy to see and spend some time with each of us. It was great that everyone achieved almost all their goals. I felt bad that Ricks one ton issue was not resolved, but as I hear it, Manny has come to the rescue and Rick has a great facility to work in as well. Marco and Oki did a wonderful job cooking and Eric Tanner again demonstrated what the meaning of Selflessness is. He totally worked for the benefit of others and it is always wonderful to spend time with Joanna. Jared made our wonderful country breakfast with his fresh eggs from home. Jean and Mike chipped in where needed and provide sausage snacks. Scott swung by as did Vic and John.

We had no slouches, everybody's hands were dirty and everyone went home with more and better then they arrived. Life is Good! I can't wait until we meet again.

Take care all, stay healthy and thank you for sharing your lives with us,

Tom and Oki