More bad news...

P

patrick flowers

New member
Sep 19, 1997
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As I described in another post, I got the bearings off last night and,
as I feared, the right side hub and knuckle are shot. It's obvious that
it spun a bearing at some time, because someone "staked" the inside of
the knuckle to get it to hold the bearing.

In the GMCMI newsletters it says that Ken Thoma reconditions hubs and
knuckles for $150 and $125 respectively. Does anyone know how much new
ones are? Does anyone have any experience with the reconditioned ones?

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
Pat,

I talked to Ken awhile back and it sounded like he does it properly. He
mentioned some machine work involving a sleeve of harder metal because the
GM metal is a bit too soft.

I would call him and discuss it as it seems he has a lot of experience and
doesn't mind sharing it.

BTW, have you or anyone checked out cryogenic tempering some of these highly
stressed parts. This is that technology where they slowly cool parts down
to the temperature of liquid nitrogen and then slowly raise the temperature
to improve the temperature, better align the molecules, or whatever.

I know guys who have it done to rifle barrels, guitar strings, race car
parts and their wives nylon stockings.
Said to make them all stronger and last much longer.

GMC front wheel bearings and those front end components you mentioned might
be good candidates for this treatment.

Our new 1975 GMC has 28,000 miles so I need check out these front end
components, once some of the other modifications are out of the way.

Don

Subject: GMC: More bad news...

>As I described in another post, I got the bearings off last night and,
>as I feared, the right side hub and knuckle are shot. It's obvious that
>it spun a bearing at some time, because someone "staked" the inside of
>the knuckle to get it to hold the bearing.
>
>In the GMCMI newsletters it says that Ken Thoma reconditions hubs and
>knuckles for $150 and $125 respectively. Does anyone know how much new
>ones are? Does anyone have any experience with the reconditioned ones?
>
>Patrick
 
Patrick,

Regarding my previous post, I apologize for changing your name and I was
trying to say this process changes the "temper" rather than "temperature"

Perhaps someday I'll learn to slow down and proof read my posts before
sending.

Don

>As I described in another post, I got the bearings off last night and,
>as I feared, the right side hub and knuckle are shot. It's obvious that
>it spun a bearing at some time, because someone "staked" the inside of
>the knuckle to get it to hold the bearing.
>
>In the GMCMI newsletters it says that Ken Thoma reconditions hubs and
>knuckles for $150 and $125 respectively. Does anyone know how much new
>ones are? Does anyone have any experience with the reconditioned ones?
>
>Patrick
 
>
> Regarding my previous post, I apologize for changing your name and I
> was trying to say this process changes the "temper" rather than
> "temperature"

No need to apologize. Actually, my family and friends all call me Pat.
Using "Patrick" is a protective reflex I developed years ago when I
started getting telemarketing calls for "Ms. Pat Flowers".

Don't sweat the typo's, I knew what you meant.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
I have Ken Toma's reconditioned hubs and knuckles on my coach. I was very
impressed with the method he used to improve the hubs and knuckles. Ken
enlarges the hole in the knuckle and installs a chrome molly sleeve in the
hole. He then machines the inside of the sleeve to the correct dimension.
Chrome molly steel is extremely hard and it will resist wear much better
than the metal the knuckle is made out of. He flame sprays the hubs and
grinds them back to the correct diameter. Flame spray is an extremely
durable metal coating that is used to build up shafts and rotor blades in
jet engines. It also is much harder than the original metal and will resist
wear. I would highly recommend a person to use Ken's rebuilt hubs and
knuckles as I think they will last much longer than the original under
normal conditions. Ken is a retired NASA machinist and he is accustom to
doing quality work as the aerospace industry demands it. He may be a little
more expensive than some but I don't think you will find any products better
than his.

Russ Bethel
rbethel
 
Patrick when I was at Golbys they had remanufactured hubs and knuckles and
the price seemed very reasonable but can't remember the price.

>Thanks to everyone that's responded. I've got some options to
>consider. BTW, checked with Cinnabar. New hubs are $297, knuckles $240.
>
>Patrick
>--
>Patrick Flowers
>Mailto:patri63
>
>The GMC Motorhome Page
>http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
>
>
 
Patrick,
Call Golby, they have NEW hubs. I cannot remember the cost.
1-800-275-1462

Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com

>
> As I described in another post, I got the bearings off last night and,
> as I feared, the right side hub and knuckle are shot. It's obvious that
> it spun a bearing at some time, because someone "staked" the inside of
> the knuckle to get it to hold the bearing.
>
> In the GMCMI newsletters it says that Ken Thoma reconditions hubs and
> knuckles for $150 and $125 respectively. Does anyone know how much new
> ones are? Does anyone have any experience with the reconditioned ones?
>
> Patrick
> --
> Patrick Flowers
> Mailto:patri63
>
> The GMC Motorhome Page
> http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
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