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Body Pads [message #114503] Mon, 07 February 2011 20:43 Go to next message
thorndike is currently offline  thorndike   United States
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Sorry about the duplicate topic!

Howdy folks,

Now that I am home, I am catching up on all the work I have to do and have neglected working on the GMC. Soon enough I will make a list of the things I have to do and ask for advice on the order of importance. I know you can hardly wait to give me your.02!

I have a question about body pads. When I was with Blaine in Indiana, he said that one of the first things I should do would be to replace the body pads. He went through the process quickly, so I understand the gist of the task. I will look for more detailed info when I get ready to do it.

My question concerns the pads themselves. I understand that the pads keep the dissimilar metals separate and provide a way to mount the body to the frame. Do they provide any other service? The pads I have now are crushed, so in a perfect world, the pads would be uncrushable, weatherproof while providing a surface that won't react to the steel or aluminum. With that in mind, wouldn't hockey pucks make terrific pads? I believe the pressure used to create them is far greater than the weight of the coach, so they shouldn't crush, they are rubber so they should provide the perfect insulation between the metals.

Any thoughts?

Bob


Robert Peesel 1976 Royale 26' Side Dry Bath Conifer, Colorado

[Updated on: Mon, 07 February 2011 20:50]

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Re: Body Pads [message #114506 is a reply to message #114503] Mon, 07 February 2011 20:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Harry is currently offline  Harry   Canada
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May as well use wooden blocks.
Re: Body Pads [message #114507 is a reply to message #114506] Mon, 07 February 2011 20:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
thorndike is currently offline  thorndike   United States
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But wood will deteriorate over time. Even if you used Lignum Vitae or some other hard wood.

Robert Peesel 1976 Royale 26' Side Dry Bath Conifer, Colorado
Re: Body Pads [message #114513 is a reply to message #114503] Mon, 07 February 2011 21:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GeorgeRud is currently offline  GeorgeRud   United States
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I would simply use the available rubber mounts. In addition to the spacing they provide, they also add additional springing and damping between the body and frame.

When they are crushed, the space needed for running air lines and other components is missing as well.



George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
Re: Body Pads [message #114516 is a reply to message #114503] Mon, 07 February 2011 21:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Craig Lechowicz is currently offline  Craig Lechowicz   United States
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Bob,
I'm planning on doing body pads this summer. John Shotwell did a really good write-up of how to do the replacement on this link.

<http://www.bdub.net/Isolation_Pad_Replacement.pdf>

The link and others information on Gene Fisher's site as well.
<http://gmcmotorhome.info/body.html#ISOLATION>

Everyone says they make a big difference in squeaks and rattles, and overall smoothness. So, the rubber is definitely a better choice than wood.


Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
Re: Body Pads [message #114517 is a reply to message #114503] Mon, 07 February 2011 21:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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I think that hockey pucks are too hard and not enough surface area (too small).

Why not just get the correct ones for Faye and Bert? I think they are around $75.00.

http://www.bdub.net/curtis-unlimited/index.html
http://www.bdub.net/curtis-unlimited/2010_List_w_Prices.pdf

I have heard of people making these out of old semi-trailer mudflaps and conveyor belt material.

Be sure to remove the Ragusa entry door step prior to installing the body isolators.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #114518 is a reply to message #114503] Mon, 07 February 2011 21:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
emerystora is currently offline  emerystora   United States
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On Feb 7, 2011, at 7:43 PM, Robert Peesel wrote:

>
>
> Howdy folks,
>
> Now that I am home, I am catching up on all the work I have to do and have neglected working on the GMC. Soon enough I will make a list of the things I have to do and ask for advice on the order of importance. I know you can hardly wait to give me your.02!
>
> I have a question about body pads. When I was with Blaine in Indiana, he said that one of the first things I should do would be to replace the body pads. He went through the process quickly, so I understand the gist of the task. I will look for more detailed info when I get ready to do it.
>
> My question concerns the pads themselves. I understand that the pads keep the dissimilar metals separate and provide a way to mount the body to the frame. Do they provide any other service? The pads I have now are crushed, so in a perfect world, the pads would be uncrushable, weatherproof while providing a surface that won't react to the steel or aluminum. With that in mind, wouldn't hockey pucks make terrific pads? I believe the pressure used to create them is far greater than the weight of the coach, so they shouldn't crush, they are rubber so they should provide the perfect insulation between the metals.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Bob

It really isn't insulation, the main purpose is to provide vibration dampening. So you definitely don't want something as hard as a hockey puck. It has to be fairly rigid but not hard. Somewhere in my files I have info on the durometer hardness required but I'd have to did it out. The easiest thing for you to do is to order them from a GMC supplier. I know that the Curtises have them. I believe that Jim Kanomata also does.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM


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Re: Body Pads [message #114520 is a reply to message #114503] Mon, 07 February 2011 22:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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I think that hockey pucks are too hard and not enough surface area (too small).

Why not just get the correct ones for Faye and Bert? I think they are around $75.00.

http://www.bdub.net/curtis-unlimited/index.html
http://www.bdub.net/curtis-unlimited/2010_List_w_Prices.pdf

I have heard of people making these out of old semi-trailer mudflaps and conveyor belt material.

Be sure to remove the Ragusa entry door step prior to installing the body isolators.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #114871 is a reply to message #114518] Sun, 13 February 2011 14:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
thorndike is currently offline  thorndike   United States
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Emery,

How was your trip west? I am really sorry we couldn't meet up before I picked up the coach. I am quite sure you would have pointed out a lot of things prior to my accepting delivery! Oh well, live and learn!

Bob


Robert Peesel 1976 Royale 26' Side Dry Bath Conifer, Colorado
Re: Body Pads [message #114872 is a reply to message #114520] Sun, 13 February 2011 14:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
thorndike is currently offline  thorndike   United States
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Location: Conifer, Colorado
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Thanks for the information Ken,

I didn't realize that those small pads provided much in the way of ride comfort. Blaine informed me that replacing those would be the first job I should do.

Now I just have to find a place to park it to work on it...oh yeah, and someone who knows what they are doing! Wink

Learning is such fun.

Bob


Robert Peesel 1976 Royale 26' Side Dry Bath Conifer, Colorado
Re: Body Pads [message #114874 is a reply to message #114872] Sun, 13 February 2011 15:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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Location: Hebron, Indiana
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Just start replacing them one at a time and you will get the hang of it. I start in the rear and work forward doing one side at a time. A bottle jack and a couple of wood blocks to put under the jack is all you need. I jack up on the body cross piece next to where you intend to remove / install each pad. Put some liquid nails on the one you are installing and slide it in.

The biggest problem I had was getting a few old ones out. Ken Henderson suggested a short curved crowbar had the correct angle to reach the old still glued in ones. I hit the crow bar with a hammer and they came right out. If you are doing this on the ground figure on spending two afternoons. It took me 6 hours to do the right side and 3 hours the next day to do the left side.

Here is the type of pry bar Ken had me use:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=prybar&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=706 1327342758693615&ei=wkdYTf_WLY2ugQe-7PyFDQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDQQ8wIwAg#



Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #114926 is a reply to message #114503] Mon, 14 February 2011 06:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Steven Ferguson is currently offline  Steven Ferguson   United States
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The correct usage is Isolation pads and the name describes their function.

On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 7:43 PM, Robert Peesel <thorndike@pldsllc.com> wrote:

>
>
>
> My question concerns the pads themselves. I understand that the pads keep
> the dissimilar metals separate and provide a way to mount the body to the
> frame. Do they provide any other service? The pads I have now are crushed,
> so in a perfect world, the pads would be uncrushable, weatherproof while
> providing a surface that won't react to the steel or aluminum. With that in
> mind, wouldn't hockey pucks make terrific pads? I believe the pressure used
> to create them is far greater than the weight of the coach, so they
> shouldn't crush, they are rubber so they should provide the perfect
> insulation between the metals.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Bob
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #115262 is a reply to message #114926] Wed, 16 February 2011 16:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Steve,

To prove I am even more pedantic than you are the correct nomenclature
according to GMC is "Insulator." ;-)

Ref Maintenance Manual X-7525 page 2-4
Ref: Parts Book 78Z page 23-76 Key 1 & 2

Actually I didn't raise this point to bust your chops, I was wondering about
Key 3 - Support - crossmember to floor.

I don't remember seeing these in either The Blue Streak or Double Trouble,
which are both Avions and started life as Transmodes.

Has anyone seen them in GMC's?

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven Ferguson
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2011 11:31 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads

The correct usage is Isolation pads and the name describes their function.

Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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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
Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #115271 is a reply to message #115262] Wed, 16 February 2011 19:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dennis S is currently offline  Dennis S   United States
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Rob,
Yes, I have seen those crossmember to floor pads on 1973 GMC's. Perhaps they changed in the later years when they went to less length on the pads.

Dennis

Robert Mueller wrote on Wed, 16 February 2011 16:46

Steve,

To prove I am even more pedantic than you are the correct nomenclature
according to GMC is "Insulator." Wink

Ref Maintenance Manual X-7525 page 2-4
Ref: Parts Book 78Z page 23-76 Key 1 & 2

Actually I didn't raise this point to bust your chops, I was wondering about
Key 3 - Support - crossmember to floor.

I don't remember seeing these in either The Blue Streak or Double Trouble,
which are both Avions and started life as Transmodes.

Has anyone seen them in GMC's?

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426







Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #115272 is a reply to message #115271] Wed, 16 February 2011 19:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dennis S is currently offline  Dennis S   United States
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Rob,
I found a picture that shows the crossmember to floor pads -- on my 23 ft 73. Look just to the top of the crossmember.


http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=31249&title=0082&cat=4620

Dennis

Dennis S wrote on Wed, 16 February 2011 19:32

Rob,
Yes, I have seen those crossmember to floor pads on 1973 GMC's. Perhaps they changed in the later years when they went to less length on the pads.

Dennis

Robert Mueller wrote on Wed, 16 February 2011 16:46

Steve,

To prove I am even more pedantic than you are the correct nomenclature
according to GMC is "Insulator." Wink

Ref Maintenance Manual X-7525 page 2-4
Ref: Parts Book 78Z page 23-76 Key 1 & 2

Actually I didn't raise this point to bust your chops, I was wondering about
Key 3 - Support - crossmember to floor.

I don't remember seeing these in either The Blue Streak or Double Trouble,
which are both Avions and started life as Transmodes.

Has anyone seen them in GMC's?

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426









Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #115284 is a reply to message #115272] Wed, 16 February 2011 21:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ggroth is currently offline  ggroth   United States
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Location: Carson City NV
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Senior Member

Yep, I have them on my 26".

geo groth '73 260 Sequoia Carson City Nevada 89703
Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #115409 is a reply to message #115262] Thu, 17 February 2011 18:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
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Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
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Senior Member
Robert Mueller wrote on Wed, 16 February 2011 16:46

Steve,

To prove I am even more pedantic than you are the correct nomenclature
according to GMC is "Insulator." Wink

Ref Maintenance Manual X-7525 page 2-4
Ref: Parts Book 78Z page 23-76 Key 1 & 2

I was wondering about
Key 3 - Support - crossmember to floor.

I don't remember seeing these in either The Blue Streak or Double Trouble,
which are both Avions and started life as Transmodes.

Has anyone seen them in GMC's?

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426



This picture may show, more clearly, the cross member pad.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=24749

These pads also run the full length of the main frames.


Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #115413 is a reply to message #115409] Thu, 17 February 2011 19:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Steve,

Thanks! I assume this is a picture of Smurfie.

It appears that the coaches that do not have the foam / aluminum under the
plywood have the pads. Which I believe are 73 & 74 models. The GMC factory
build date of my two Avions is 11/74 and they both have the foam / aluminum
under the plywood and no cross member pads.

That air line must have been under there from day 1!

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Steve Southworth
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2011 11:58 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads


This picture may show, more clearly, the cross member pad.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=24749

These pads also run the full length of the main frames.
--
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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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
Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #115419 is a reply to message #115413] Thu, 17 February 2011 19:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
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Senior Member
Robert Mueller wrote on Thu, 17 February 2011 19:03

Steve,

Thanks! I assume this is a picture of Smurfie.

It appears that the coaches that do not have the foam / aluminum under the
plywood have the pads. Which I believe are 73 & 74 models. The GMC factory
build date of my two Avions is 11/74 and they both have the foam / aluminum
under the plywood and no cross member pads.

That air line must have been under there from day 1!

Regards,
Rob M.



Yes - that is the '74 Glacier. I have since pulled this pad out to install a brake line and inspect the air line. This is the double cross-member between the boogies. There is a pad on top of each cross-member. The air line showed no damage or distortion. The pad has since been reinstalled with the air line in the proper position.

The '75 transmode has the underfloor insulation with aluminum shielding. It also has full length body pads just like the '74.


Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads [message #115433 is a reply to message #115419] Thu, 17 February 2011 21:23 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Steve,

You note:

"The '75 Transmode has the underfloor insulation with aluminum shielding.
It also has full length body pads just like the '74."

Would you please confirm that it has the cross member pads.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Steve Southworth
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2011 12:39 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Body Pads

Yes - that is the '74 Glacier. I have since pulled this pad out to install
a brake line and inspect the air line. This is the double cross-member
between the boogies. There is a pad on top of each cross-member. The air
line showed no damage or distortion. The pad has since been reinstalled
with the air line in the proper position.

The '75 transmode has the underfloor insulation with aluminum shielding. It
also has full length body pads just like the '74.
--
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI


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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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