Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Bodypads on a 78'
| [GMCnet] Bodypads on a 78' [message #269417] |
Sun, 11 January 2015 16:35  |
Daniel DeLuca
Messages: 120
Registered: June 2014
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Hello,
I thought some easy winter maintenance would be fixing up the body pads on the coach. Most of my pads are still there, but i have read that replacing the 1/4 inch pads on the 78 is a worthwhile little upgrade. I bought a 1/2 inch horse stall matt to make some new pads. However after loosening the 4 brackets that hold the body down, I still could only create about a 1/4 inch worth of gap when jacking up the crossmember (for lack of a better term). There was no way I was getting a 1/2 inch pad in there. Am I missing something? Or should I just find some 1/4 inch pads and only replace the ones that are missing?
Dan
78 Eleganza
Allentown, NJ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Bodypads on a 78' [message #269421 is a reply to message #269417] |
Sun, 11 January 2015 17:26  |
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RF_Burns
Messages: 2276
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
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Dan,
When I did mine (thin pads), I read the posts and instructions saying all you had to do was remove the 4 tie-downs and jack up each cross member and stick them in. Well that didn't work so well... the frame just followed the body upwards! I re-read and did it again.. then I heard a BANG! Well I suspect either a weld on the body frame broke or the glue holding the side panels broke. In any case I now had waves in the side panels (upper and lower) and cracks in the seam paint.
Anyway.. it occurred to me that the suspension was going to push the frame upwards against the body (unless the body bends first).
So I jacked up the frame and set floor stands so the front wheels were off the ground and released the rear air bags. I also tried to loosen the 4 corner pads, but the large bolts were seized, so I removed the nuts holding the corner pad mounting plates to the frame. Now I could lift the body away from the frame. I also used 3 jacks (front, middle and back) and lifted one side at once enough to slide in the pads.
Read my instructions from the Curtis site listed above.
JWID
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
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| Re: [GMCnet] Bodypads on a 78' [message #269426 is a reply to message #269421] |
Sun, 11 January 2015 18:17 |
Daniel DeLuca
Messages: 120
Registered: June 2014
Karma: 0
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Bruce,
Glad I did not push the issue! Think i might just replace the missing thin pads for now. Next time I put the coach up I will do the job proper.
Dan
> On Jan 11, 2015, at 6:26 PM, Bruce Hislop wrote:
>
> Dan,
> When I did mine (thin pads), I read the posts and instructions saying all you had to do was remove the 4 tie-downs and jack up each cross member and
> stick them in. Well that didn't work so well... the frame just followed the body upwards! I re-read and did it again.. then I heard a BANG! Well I
> suspect either a weld on the body frame broke or the glue holding the side panels broke. In any case I now had waves in the side panels (upper and
> lower) and cracks in the seam paint.
>
> Anyway.. it occurred to me that the suspension was going to push the frame upwards against the body (unless the body bends first).
> So I jacked up the frame and set floor stands so the front wheels were off the ground and released the rear air bags. I also tried to loosen the 4
> corner pads, but the large bolts were seized, so I removed the nuts holding the corner pad mounting plates to the frame. Now I could lift the body
> away from the frame. I also used 3 jacks (front, middle and back) and lifted one side at once enough to slide in the pads.
>
> Read my instructions from the Curtis site listed above.
>
> JWID
>
>
> --
> Bruce Hislop
> ON Canada
> 77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
> Hubler 1 ton front end
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
> My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Bodypads on a 78' [message #269438 is a reply to message #269426] |
Mon, 12 January 2015 05:31 |
Jim at the Co-op
Messages: 291
Registered: May 2014
Location: Orlando Florida
Karma: 2
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We always install 1/2" body pads all around. Just put a bottle jack where
you want to put the pad in. Jack it up right on the aluminum crossmember,
it will flex enough right where the pad is to go in (one goes in every time
an aluminum crossmember crosses the front to back "C" channel ladder
frame. We actually leave the outriggers bolted and just push up and
flex where the pad is supposed to go. Adding a full 1/2" gap does so many
things to relieve stress on fuel, air, brake and LP lines on later model
coachesespecially. If you get fuel system work here you will also get body
pads.
Hope this helps,
Jim Bounds
-----------------------------
On Sun, Jan 11, 2015 at 7:17 PM, Daniel DeLuca wrote:
> Bruce,
>
> Glad I did not push the issue! Think i might just replace the missing
> thin pads for now. Next time I put the coach up I will do the job proper.
>
> Dan
>
>
>> On Jan 11, 2015, at 6:26 PM, Bruce Hislop wrote:
>>
>> Dan,
>> When I did mine (thin pads), I read the posts and instructions saying
> all you had to do was remove the 4 tie-downs and jack up each cross member
> and
>> stick them in. Well that didn't work so well... the frame just followed
> the body upwards! I re-read and did it again.. then I heard a BANG! Well I
>> suspect either a weld on the body frame broke or the glue holding the
> side panels broke. In any case I now had waves in the side panels (upper and
>> lower) and cracks in the seam paint.
>>
>> Anyway.. it occurred to me that the suspension was going to push the
> frame upwards against the body (unless the body bends first).
>> So I jacked up the frame and set floor stands so the front wheels were
> off the ground and released the rear air bags. I also tried to loosen the 4
>> corner pads, but the large bolts were seized, so I removed the nuts
> holding the corner pad mounting plates to the frame. Now I could lift the
> body
>> away from the frame. I also used 3 jacks (front, middle and back) and
> lifted one side at once enough to slide in the pads.
>>
>> Read my instructions from the Curtis site listed above.
>>
>> JWID
>>
>>
>> --
>> Bruce Hislop
>> ON Canada
>> 77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
>> Hubler 1 ton front end
>> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
>> My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Bodypads on a 78' [message #269441 is a reply to message #269438] |
Mon, 12 January 2015 06:10 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Jim,
It has been reported here if one unbolts the "outriggers" on either side of the engine hatch you can gain clearance between the
engine hatch and the air cleaner. Obviously one has to install something in the gap created in the "outriggers."
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Bounds
We always install 1/2" body pads all around. Just put a bottle jack where
you want to put the pad in. Jack it up right on the aluminum crossmember,
it will flex enough right where the pad is to go in (one goes in every time
an aluminum crossmember crosses the front to back "C" channel ladder
frame. We actually leave the outriggers bolted and just push up and
flex where the pad is supposed to go. Adding a full 1/2" gap does so many
things to relieve stress on fuel, air, brake and LP lines on later model
coachesespecially. If you get fuel system work here you will also get body
pads.
Hope this helps,
Jim Bounds
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Bodypads on a 78' [message #269442 is a reply to message #269441] |
Mon, 12 January 2015 06:44 |
Daniel DeLuca
Messages: 120
Registered: June 2014
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Jim,
Do you find the frame following the crossmember up like Bruce reported. That was also my experience, no way I was squeezing a 1/2 inch pad in there, but I only jacked it up 4 inches or so. Perhaps I just needed to be braver on the aggressive jacking. I had an original 1/4 pad that had fallen out and it essentially had to be hammered in.
Dan
> On Jan 12, 2015, at 7:10 AM, Robert Mueller wrote:
>
> Jim,
>
> It has been reported here if one unbolts the "outriggers" on either side of the engine hatch you can gain clearance between the
> engine hatch and the air cleaner. Obviously one has to install something in the gap created in the "outriggers."
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim Bounds
>
> We always install 1/2" body pads all around. Just put a bottle jack where
> you want to put the pad in. Jack it up right on the aluminum crossmember,
> it will flex enough right where the pad is to go in (one goes in every time
> an aluminum crossmember crosses the front to back "C" channel ladder
> frame. We actually leave the outriggers bolted and just push up and
> flex where the pad is supposed to go. Adding a full 1/2" gap does so many
> things to relieve stress on fuel, air, brake and LP lines on later model
> coachesespecially. If you get fuel system work here you will also get body
> pads.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Jim Bounds
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Bodypads on a 78' [message #269491 is a reply to message #269417] |
Mon, 12 January 2015 13:33 |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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We replaced all our pads with 3/8 pads. We did it when we had all the wheels off with the frame completely supported by blocks. That way when you jack up at the aluminum cross members the frame isn't being pushed up along with the rest of the coach body by the wheels, shocks and whatever else is there. Basically, the frame has to be total dead weight so you can separate it from the aluminum body when you jack up each cross member. We had no problem separating the frame from the body except that it got harder the closer we got to the front of the coach. We did not remove or loosen the 4 bolts holding the frame to the body.
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Bodypads on a 78' [message #269499 is a reply to message #269491] |
Mon, 12 January 2015 16:15 |
Jim at the Co-op
Messages: 291
Registered: May 2014
Location: Orlando Florida
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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We have installed countless of our 1/2" body pad sets for $50. Do not need
to mess with the outriggers, the body will flex right where you put the
pads one at a time. Any more than 1/2 (3/4") and you run into issues with
the holding tank toilet flange and the lower grill valence support. You
could take all that apart and go higher which I have done (did 1") but 1/2
has not caused troubles and improves not only the gap so many things don't
get pinched but it also greatly reduces transmitted vibration as a side
effect. I appreciate and have fun batting ideas back and forth but this
wheel has been invented brothers, it works and for $50 you can have a set
too.
Jim Bounds
--------------------------
On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 2:33 PM, Mickey Szilagyi
wrote:
> We replaced all our pads with 3/8 pads. We did it when we had all the
> wheels off with the frame completely supported by blocks. That way when you
> jack up at the aluminum cross members the frame isn't being pushed up
> along with the rest of the coach body by the wheels, shocks and whatever
> else is
> there. Basically, the frame has to be total dead weight so you can
> separate it from the aluminum body when you jack up each cross member. We
> had no
> problem separating the frame from the body except that it got harder the
> closer we got to the front of the coach. We did not remove or loosen the 4
> bolts holding the frame to the body.
> --
> Mickey
> 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Bodypads on a 78' [message #269500 is a reply to message #269417] |
Mon, 12 January 2015 16:19 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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What JB said. Worked great on The Pig
Todd Sullivan
Sully
77 royale
Seattle
> On Jan 12, 2015, at 2:15 PM, Jim Bounds wrote:
>
> We have installed countless of our 1/2" body pad sets for $50. Do not need
> to mess with the outriggers, the body will flex right where you put the
> pads one at a time. Any more than 1/2 (3/4") and you run into issues with
> the holding tank toilet flange and the lower grill valence support. You
> could take all that apart and go higher which I have done (did 1") but 1/2
> has not caused troubles and improves not only the gap so many things don't
> get pinched but it also greatly reduces transmitted vibration as a side
> effect. I appreciate and have fun batting ideas back and forth but this
> wheel has been invented brothers, it works and for $50 you can have a set
> too.
>
> Jim Bounds
> --------------------------
>
> On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 2:33 PM, Mickey Szilagyi
> wrote:
>
>> We replaced all our pads with 3/8 pads. We did it when we had all the
>> wheels off with the frame completely supported by blocks. That way when you
>> jack up at the aluminum cross members the frame isn't being pushed up
>> along with the rest of the coach body by the wheels, shocks and whatever
>> else is
>> there. Basically, the frame has to be total dead weight so you can
>> separate it from the aluminum body when you jack up each cross member. We
>> had no
>> problem separating the frame from the body except that it got harder the
>> closer we got to the front of the coach. We did not remove or loosen the 4
>> bolts holding the frame to the body.
>> --
>> Mickey
>> 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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