Hello everybody :)

[Bloato]

My name is George Micha. My wife Jasmine and I are new first-time owners of a 1975 GMC Motorhome. She's a fairly big project, but has what we hope are good bones, and a good running engine. Interior is 89% stripped- Blank slate! Presently trying to find a person or place to rent/buy knuckle/bearing tools from to square away the driver's rotor. There sure is a lot involved in that Not quite ready to take the 1 ton upgrade route yet, but want to make sure it'll stop so I can drive it enough to ferry parts and supplies and make/take the next steps. Looking forward to joining the community!

 

[werewilfs]

My name is George Micha. My wife Jasmine and I are new first-time owners of a 1975 GMC Motorhome. She's a fairly big project, but has what we hope are good bones, and a good running engine. Interior is 89% stripped- Blank slate! Presently trying to find a person or place to rent/buy knuckle/bearing tools from to square away the driver's rotor. There sure is a lot involved in that Not quite ready to take the 1 ton upgrade route yet, but want to make sure it'll stop so I can drive it enough to ferry parts and supplies and make/take the next steps. Looking forward to joining the community!

Hi George,

Where are you located? There's quite a few GMCers all over the country and most are willing to help. I'd set up a signature for your account with your location etc so people are better able to respond.

Congrats on joining the cult.

 

[LQQKatJon]

My name is George Micha. My wife Jasmine and I are new first-time owners of a 1975 GMC Motorhome. She's a fairly big project, but has what we hope are good bones, and a good running engine. Interior is 89% stripped- Blank slate! Presently trying to find a person or place to rent/buy knuckle/bearing tools from to square away the driver's rotor. There sure is a lot involved in that Not quite ready to take the 1 ton upgrade route yet, but want to make sure it'll stop so I can drive it enough to ferry parts and supplies and make/take the next steps. Looking forward to joining the community!

Where are you located?

Depending on what your plans on and what else needs to be fixed. There are some options.

 

[Kendra]

Hi George, and welcome!

In addition to filling out a signature file (super helpful), if you haven't already spotted the Resources tab on top of page has reference material. Resources / Chassis Systems / Front Suspension

 

[Bloato]

Hi George,

Where are you located? There's quite a few GMCers all over the country and most are willing to help. I'd set up a signature for your account with your location etc so people are better able to respond.

Congrats on joining the cult.

Thank you for the kind greeting. Signature updated! I'm in Chowchilla, CA

 

[Bloato]

Where are you located?

Depending on what your plans on and what else needs to be fixed. There are some options.

Hi! I'm in Chowchilla. There's probably a pile of things that need fixin'. My first instinct was to get that rotor turned. Followed up by checking rear wheels/brakes/bearings/pins/etc

 

[Bloato]

Hi George, and welcome!

In addition to filling out a signature file (super helpful), if you haven't already spotted the Resources tab on top of page has reference material. Resources / Chassis Systems / Front Suspension

Hi Kendra,
That is super helpful advice! I will immediately do that. Very nice to meet you

 

[pvfjr]

Welcome, George! If you're willing to drop $100, there are tools available on Amazon that will service your wheel bearings. I think I have pics of that process and details about the tool in my Palm Beach thread in my signature. I'm quite a ways north of you in Salem, but perhaps we'll see you at a rally sometime. Or drop me a line if you ever break down in our area!

 

[tmsnyder]

Is the 'loaner' bearing puller tool still circulating?

Also, give some thought to swapping out your whole knuckle for a set of zerked knuckles from Dave Lenzi. The cost is quite reasonable and he gets the bore, which is typically worn out, refurbished to better than new before installing new bearings.

The zerks mean you can push fresh grease into them, instead of pulling them out to grease them. Iirc there has not been a failure of a single zerked knuckle bearing yet to date.

 

[bdub]

Is the 'loaner' bearing puller tool still circulating?

Yes, it's currently in Minnesota.

 

[LQQKatJon]

Hi! I'm in Chowchilla. There's probably a pile of things that need fixin'. My first instinct was to get that rotor turned. Followed up by checking rear wheels/brakes/bearings/pins/etc

How bad is the rotor?? You might want to start with just tossing in a set of sacrificial pads. So it will stop.

To resurrect a gmc. I would start with fuel system/ fuel lines. Then rear brakes and bearings.

See if it runs around the block fine. Then dive into the front end/bearings. Learn about what that job entails while you work on others. Understand thag the knuckle could be the issue.

Billy is right…. The bearing tool is sitting on my dinette table. I am yanking a knuckle off someone else’s gmc tomorrow morning and will be doing the bearings/rotor replacement next week for them. It might take a couple days. Or maybe longer if we need to source a knuckle.

This is also a reminder for others reading. Check your pads and install new pads if they are looking wore down at all. Pads are easy,, cheap. You dont want to ever replace a rotor if you van avoid that.

 

[Bloato]

Welcome, George! If you're willing to drop $100, there are tools available on Amazon that will service your wheel bearings. I think I have pics of that process and details about the tool in my Palm Beach thread in my signature. I'm quite a ways north of you in Salem, but perhaps we'll see you at a rally sometime. Or drop me a line if you ever break down in our area!

Salutations! I've been enjoying the read on your Palm Beach build. Absolutely informative. I guess I better go back and read that again. Bless you kind sir!

 

[Bloato]

How bad is the rotor?? You might want to start with just tossing in a set of sacrificial pads. So it will stop.

To resurrect a gmc. I would start with fuel system/ fuel lines. Then rear brakes and bearings.

See if it runs around the block fine. Then dive into the front end/bearings. Learn about what that job entails while you work on others. Understand thag the knuckle could be the issue.

Billy is right…. The bearing tool is sitting on my dinette table. I am yanking a knuckle off someone else’s gmc tomorrow morning and will be doing the bearings/rotor replacement next week for them. It might take a couple days. Or maybe longer if we need to source a knuckle.

This is also a reminder for others reading. Check your pads and install new pads if they are looking wore down at all. Pads are easy,, cheap. You dont want to ever replace a rotor if you van avoid that.

Hi! It ain't the worst I've seen, and after reading from you what I've been quietly thinking in my head, your suggested course of action may be the best way to make the most progress rapidly. The fuel lines are done, and brake lines are brand new along with the proportioning valve. My next move is to pull the rear drums off to make sure everything is spinning freely and stopping properly back there.

 

[Bloato]

Is the 'loaner' bearing puller tool still circulating?

Also, give some thought to swapping out your whole knuckle for a set of zerked knuckles from Dave Lenzi. The cost is quite reasonable and he gets the bore, which is typically worn out, refurbished to better than new before installing new bearings.

The zerks mean you can push fresh grease into them, instead of pulling them out to grease them. Iirc there has not been a failure of a single zerked knuckle bearing yet to date.

Wow! Loaner tool? What a great family y'all have! I will give this some consideration. On a side note, I am making a mess in here as I am reading and replying to the messages waaay out of order. For some reason, the push notifications aren't coming through. I didn't even know these were here!

 

[werewilfs]

Wow! Loaner tool? What a great family y'all have! I will give this some consideration. On a side note, I am making a mess in here as I am reading and replying to the messages waaay out of order. For some reason, the push notifications aren't coming through. I didn't even know these were here!

You've stumbled on the greatest reason these motorhomes are still viable. They're absolutely the best of the era and far better built than anything today. But the main reason is absolutely the community. Our Fall GMCMI rally is coming up in less than 2 months and we're in CA for the first time in forever. Would be great if you can come down so you can witness just how cool the community really is. There are options for hotels nearby if you can't come in your coach.

 

[Bloato]

You've stumbled on the greatest reason these motorhomes are still viable. They're absolutely the best of the era and far better built than anything today. But the main reason is absolutely the community. Our Fall GMCMI rally is coming up in less than 2 months and we're in CA for the first time in forever. Would be great if you can come down so you can witness just how cool the community really is. There are options for hotels nearby if you can't come in your coach.

That's why we bought her! We owned a "sticks and staples" Southwind previously, and after discovering the GMC, came to the same conclusion. My wife and I are actually considering the convention, at least for a day or two. We're attending my boy's graduation into the USMC on the 10th/11th. Work may have other plans for me though

 

[werewilfs]

Seriously come for a day or 2. You'll be hooked.