Rebuild the front end

Larry Davick

Larry Davick

Well-known member
May 9, 2007
3,778
23
48
Fremont, Ca.
Well I got the news I was expecting from Nick at Applied GMC that the front end needs to be rebuilt. I'm inclined to have it done as I've never been
comfortable with the way it handles - it's a constant task to keep it in the lane (not as bad as it sounds.) Still it's much more money than I had
anticipated. I like the idea of keeping it stock and have heard the benefits touted about the 1-Ton but I'm on the fence.

I don't have a place to work on the coach, and even less free time, but I'm blessed to be near Jim K's place. I am confident that Nick and Jim's guys
will have it tracking as good as new.

I'm curious to hear anyone's thoughts.
--
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
 
I am
Always curious about what someone faces when you are not a DIY person. What options do you have??

I see no issues with a rebuilt stock front end. I know people who have 30-40 and even 100k on a stock front end when done right. The issue is
what is "right" and complete. There are so many parts,
And not all of them need to or do get replaced. We did one a few years ago at our work rally. Took lots of time and fighting. Mostly lower
a-arm bushings were a fight. But to get it all together, aligned and back on the road was a bunch of work/ time. I see write ups for the one ton.
And seems there is just as much work.

When you are not a diy person. What are your choices???

--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
If the hubs and knuckles need replacement along with the CV joints and
swing arm bushings and ball joints, then the less expensive option is a 1 -
Ton conversion.
If you ONLY LET PRICE MAKE YOUR DECISIONS FOR YOU , then it a no
brainer, and you get 11" rotors and better brakes, plus the ease of
servicing the front wheel bearings in the bargain, along with every wear
part from the drive axle flanges to the wheel mount replaced.
If you are a purist, and want to keep it as stock as possible, then,
call Dave, send him your worn hubs and knuckles. Fight the ball joints, ,
control arm bushings, and tie rod ends, wait while Dave rebuilds your stuff
and ships it back to you, reinstall your parts and pay the extra costs
involved, put up with less than premium braking, and you are good to go.
Your choice.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Sat, Oct 5, 2019, 7:16 PM Jon Roche via Gmclist
wrote:

> I am
> Always curious about what someone faces when you are not a DIY person.
> What options do you have??
>
> I see no issues with a rebuilt stock front end. I know people who have
> 30-40 and even 100k on a stock front end when done right. The issue is
> what is "right" and complete. There are so many parts,
> And not all of them need to or do get replaced. We did one a few
> years ago at our work rally. Took lots of time and fighting. Mostly
> lower
> a-arm bushings were a fight. But to get it all together, aligned and
> back on the road was a bunch of work/ time. I see write ups for the one
> ton.
> And seems there is just as much work.
>
> When you are not a diy person. What are your choices???
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Jim,
Dave L is not a sole source for knuckle and hub.
Rick Flanagan has over 80,000 miles since we did his front bearing and is
tight as it was over ten years ago.
It has never been touched for greasing.
I learned from the best back in 1984.
Plus we use a double lip outer seal that Dave does not use.
Fact is fact and I speak up.
Do I care about what people think?
All I know no one contributes to the community like we do.
If you don’t know , contact me.

On Sat, Oct 5, 2019 at 8:03 PM James Hupy via Gmclist <

> If the hubs and knuckles need replacement along with the CV joints and
> swing arm bushings and ball joints, then the less expensive option is a 1 -
> Ton conversion.
> If you ONLY LET PRICE MAKE YOUR DECISIONS FOR YOU , then it a no
> brainer, and you get 11" rotors and better brakes, plus the ease of
> servicing the front wheel bearings in the bargain, along with every wear
> part from the drive axle flanges to the wheel mount replaced.
> If you are a purist, and want to keep it as stock as possible, then,
> call Dave, send him your worn hubs and knuckles. Fight the ball joints, ,
> control arm bushings, and tie rod ends, wait while Dave rebuilds your stuff
> and ships it back to you, reinstall your parts and pay the extra costs
> involved, put up with less than premium braking, and you are good to go.
> Your choice.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>
> On Sat, Oct 5, 2019, 7:16 PM Jon Roche via Gmclist <
> gmclist>

>
> > I am
> > Always curious about what someone faces when you are not a DIY person.
> > What options do you have??
> >
> > I see no issues with a rebuilt stock front end. I know people who have
> > 30-40 and even 100k on a stock front end when done right. The issue
> is
> > what is "right" and complete. There are so many parts,
> > And not all of them need to or do get replaced. We did one a few
> > years ago at our work rally. Took lots of time and fighting. Mostly
> > lower
> > a-arm bushings were a fight. But to get it all together, aligned and
> > back on the road was a bunch of work/ time. I see write ups for the one
> > ton.
> > And seems there is just as much work.
> >
> > When you are not a diy person. What are your choices???
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jon Roche
> > 75 palm beach
> > St. Cloud, MN
> > http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
I think if you cant do it yourself it doesnt matter what you choose as long as you do it correctly and have good support if something needs fixing.

There are pro's and con's to both set ups....price will be about the same.
--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600
 
I have Dave's greased knuckles and 80mm brakes and have replaced EVERY component associated with the front end. The only issues I have had are cv
boots breaking. I repack and reband the boots my self. But the cv shafts are getting hard to find.
I know the 1 ton people love their setup. But I think the 1 ton cv shafts are also specific to the Motorhome.
If I do it again, I would probably go with the 1 ton just to see the difference..
Scott.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
 
What boots are you using? The Unifit boots have more pleats so flex better in turns. No problems since I went to them.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
John,
The outer boots I've been using are the EMPI 86-1064-D. It's the single rib boot. I have not had any issues with the inner boots.
Do you have a brand and a part number for the boots your using?
Scott.

--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
 
Do you clamp the small end to the axle? Not clamping the small end of boot
allows boot to float around.

On Tue, Oct 8, 2019 at 4:59 PM Scott Nutter via Gmclist <

> John,
> The outer boots I've been using are the EMPI 86-1064-D. It's the single
> rib boot. I have not had any issues with the inner boots.
> Do you have a brand and a part number for the boots your using?
> Scott.
>
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final
> drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
> installed MSD Atomic EFI
> Houston, Texas
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
 
Bruce,
Both ends are clamped correctly. It does seem the EMPI outer boots are a little shorter in length than they should be.. my breaks in the boot are
always on the single rib. I think if they were about 1/4 inch longer I would not have the problem...
Scott.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
 
I have both a 23 ft and a 26 ft.

After Nick replaced the front drive axles on the 23' no more shimmy when accelerating. Nick told
me the front end is worn out and needs to be rebuilt. Has 150K or 250K on it-not sure. It rides
and drives great with everything worn out and older 16.5 Trans-Force tires.

My 26' has a Manny 1 Ton and new tires with less than 5K. A 6 wheel alignment done by Nick and everything
checks out good. Still wanders a bit on some roads and does not ride or handle as nice as the 23'. Have
weighed it and tried different tire pressures but still about the same. Some day with more time and money
will get into it more.

Have almost all the parts to rebuild the 23' front end. Also I know the 23' weighs less and it stops better
than the 26' with bigger brakes. Got some yellow pads to try to see if that will help a bit.

Bought a new home so no time to play as late but as the weather cools off hope to get back to it.

Bob
--
Bob Broadwell
75 Eleganza II-Rebuilt performance engine, Manny trans, Manny 1-ton front end, 73 23ft with a side bath getting some updates-both living in Las Vegas
 
Scott the outer boots Applied shows have like 4 pleats. Those should not pull off.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
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