Wheel spacers? Are they needed with Alcoa's?

[6cuda6]

So ive been reading the odd post (i know thats dangerous to ones pocket book....lol) about adding wheel spacers to widen the front track and improve
drivability.

So couple questions:

- can you or do you need them with Alcoa's?
- isnt it hard on the front wheel bearings and possibly lead to early failires?

Thanks for putting up with my onexperience with these coaches....
--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600

 

[johnny]

No, you don't need them with the proper Alcoas.
Yes they increase the load on the bearings. As to whether that's a concern or not is open to discussion and there has been considerable discussion.

--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell

 

[john r. lebetski]

It changes the steering axis in my opinion and upsets the geometry as designed. Adds increased leverage loading to torsion bars and lower arms and
ball joints. All this and the bearings as you mentioned. The steering axis is the line drawn through the ball joints to the point the tire contacts
the road. That would be in the middle of the tread width as designed. Moving the wheel assembly outboard moves the steering axis inboard on the
tire. Hitting a pothole then wants to pull the wheel outboard adding shock to all steering linkage parts and box. You will feel added "dart" through
the steering. Imagine standing with your arms rigid out to your sides. A person could walk up and steer you with one finger. Add to this the front
drive and increased grab on one side adds toe in force steering direction action as more rubber is outboard of the neutral axis. Many say spacers are
great, but we get used to things and think that they are normal. The wider track may provide some marginal stability at the expense of all the above
criteria. Dave Lenzi who rebuilds the front hubs and gives a seminar, will point out the added incorrect vector forces the narrow bearing pack has to
support in a direction it was not really built for. My 2 cents. Just common sense
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

 

[6cuda6]

> It changes the steering axis in my opinion and upsets the geometry as designed. Adds increased leverage loading to torsion bars and lower arms and
> ball joints. All this and the bearings as you mentioned. The steering axis is the line drawn through the ball joints to the point the tire
> contacts the road. That would be in the middle of the tread width as designed. Moving the wheel assembly outboard moves the steering axis inboard
> on the tire. Hitting a pothole then wants to pull the wheel outboard adding shock to all steering linkage parts and box. You will feel added "dart"
> through the steering. Imagine standing with your arms rigid out to your sides. A person could walk up and steer you with one finger. Add to this
> the front drive and increased grab on one side adds toe in force steering direction action as more rubber is outboard of the neutral axis. Many say
> spacers are great, but we get used to things and think that they are normal. The wider track may provide some marginal stability at the expense of
> all the above criteria. Dave Lenzi who rebuilds the front hubs and gives a seminar, will point out the added incorrect vector forces the narrow
> bearing pack has to support in a direction it was not really built for. My 2 cents. Just common sense

Thanks John...as a mechanic with an engineering background that's what I figured...

--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600

 

[Jim Hupy]

Those spacers are well made, and there is nothing wrong with their design.
But, SOME coaches, when fitted with them, have a tendency to torque steer.
Do not know if it is worn parts in the front end that contributes to that
problem, or heavy weight bias in the rear of the coach, but, a couple of
customers, whose coaches were fitted with them, quit torque steer when I
removed the spacers. Your results may vary.
Jim Hupy

On Wed, Jul 17, 2019, 6:49 AM tonka6cuda6--- via Gmclist <

> > It changes the steering axis in my opinion and upsets the geometry as
> designed. Adds increased leverage loading to torsion bars and lower arms and
> > ball joints. All this and the bearings as you mentioned. The steering
> axis is the line drawn through the ball joints to the point the tire
> > contacts the road. That would be in the middle of the tread width as
> designed. Moving the wheel assembly outboard moves the steering axis
> inboard
> > on the tire. Hitting a pothole then wants to pull the wheel outboard
> adding shock to all steering linkage parts and box. You will feel added
> "dart"
> > through the steering. Imagine standing with your arms rigid out to your
> sides. A person could walk up and steer you with one finger. Add to this
> > the front drive and increased grab on one side adds toe in force
> steering direction action as more rubber is outboard of the neutral axis.
> Many say
> > spacers are great, but we get used to things and think that they are
> normal. The wider track may provide some marginal stability at the expense
> of
> > all the above criteria. Dave Lenzi who rebuilds the front hubs and gives
> a seminar, will point out the added incorrect vector forces the narrow
> > bearing pack has to support in a direction it was not really built for.
> My 2 cents. Just common sense
>
> Thanks John...as a mechanic with an engineering background that's what I
> figured...
>
> --
> Rich Mondor,
>
> Brockville, ON
>
> 77 Hughes 2600
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[johnny]

If you hunt through the archives here, someplace there a thread where Bob Dunahugh had several drivers drive a coach fitted each way - 1 stock, one
with a 1ton and spacers - at a race meet. They all seem to of preferred the stock setup. Some opinions differ.

--johnny

--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell

 

[jim kanomata1]

The One ton unit needs the spacer to clear the Calipers. Try running it
without it.
You'll not be able to mount the wheel.
That is how GM did that series. Bill Hubler did not dream that up.

On Wed, Jul 17, 2019 at 9:15 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

> If you hunt through the archives here, someplace there a thread where Bob
> Dunahugh had several drivers drive a coach fitted each way - 1 stock, one
> with a 1ton and spacers - at a race meet. They all seem to of preferred
> the stock setup. Some opinions differ.
>
> --johnny
>
> --
> Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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

 

[Bruce Hart]

I have set for sail if anyone wants to by them. $100 + shipping

On Wed, Jul 17, 2019 at 11:37 AM Jim Kanomata via Gmclist <

> The One ton unit needs the spacer to clear the Calipers. Try running it
> without it.
> You'll not be able to mount the wheel.
> That is how GM did that series. Bill Hubler did not dream that up.
>
> On Wed, Jul 17, 2019 at 9:15 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

>
> > If you hunt through the archives here, someplace there a thread where Bob
> > Dunahugh had several drivers drive a coach fitted each way - 1 stock, one
> > with a 1ton and spacers - at a race meet. They all seem to of preferred
> > the stock setup. Some opinions differ.
> >
> > --johnny
> >
> > --
> > Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> > Braselton, Ga.
> > I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> > in hell
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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
> _______________________________________________
> 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

 

[hal stclair]

I'll take them Bruce,
Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1975 Eleganza II, 101230,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,

Rio Rancho, NM

 

[jim kanomata1]

https://www.gmcrvparts.com/product-p/gm19-19.006.5.htm

On Wed, Jul 17, 2019 at 4:46 PM Hal StClair via Gmclist <

> I'll take them Bruce,
> Hal
> --
> 1977 Royale 101348,
>
> 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
>
> 1975 Eleganza II, 101230,
>
> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
>
> Rio Rancho, NM
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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