Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Upgrades & CV Boot Question
| Upgrades & CV Boot Question [message #174783] |
Wed, 27 June 2012 14:33  |
Jerry Hartley
Messages: 17
Registered: May 2004
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2-1/2 years ago I bought a 1977 Birchaven w/Cad 500, 6-wheel disk brakes, upgraded instrument panel, 3.70 FD and other upgrades. All work done by the previous owner was excellent and I have no complaints.
I flew from Seattle to Macon, Georgia and drove the GMC back after replacing 2 questionable batteries. I had no problems other than a brake warning light indicating low fluid (HydroBoost). I added fluid and drove on home. I eventually found a slow leak in the brake line near the rear passenger side calipers.
Flying 3,000 miles to drive back in a GMC motorhome you have never seen? What was I thinking??? In my defense I did speak to other GMC people including Jim Bounds so the GMC was not a complete unknown. It was a great road trip with my oldest son (a real mechanic) but I would not recommend it and I would not risk it again. It worked for me but…
There are things I like with this GMC and things I would think twice about.
The Cad 500 – The GMC becomes an even more unique machine with even more concern about finding someone to do major mechanical work. It is a good engine and runs very well but I might not do this again.
The upgraded instrument panel – Very good upgrade.
6-wheel disk brakes – Very effective – Very good upgrade.
3.70 FD - I am old-school. I do not like the sound of higher RPMs. Goes good, though. Goes well with bigger tires.
235/85R16 Tires – Mixed review. I like the look and feel but there is very little clearance. Does lower the engine RPMs which I like.
Quadra Bags – Excellent upgrade.
I am now about to replace the CV Boot (outside passenger side). Parts and tools have been ordered and I have found good information on the internet. Should I also consider replacing the wheel bearings (no known problems)? I have the Warner bearing tool and replaced the bearings on a different GMC 15 years ago. I would appreciate advice and opinions of those with more knowledge and experience.
Jerry Hartley
SEQUIM, WA
77 Birchaven
76 Royale
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| Re: [GMCnet] Upgrades & CV Boot Question [message #174885 is a reply to message #174783] |
Thu, 28 June 2012 09:42  |
Richard Denney
Messages: 920
Registered: April 2010
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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On Wed, Jun 27, 2012 at 3:33 PM, Jerry Hartley <jhartley@wavecable.com> wrote:
>
> I am now about to replace the CV Boot (outside passenger side). Parts and tools have been ordered and I have found good information on the internet. Should I also consider replacing the wheel bearings (no known problems)? I have the Warner bearing tool and replaced the bearings on a different GMC 15 years ago. I would appreciate advice and opinions of those with more knowledge and experience.
>
Depending on the miles since it was last done, you might need to at
least check those front wheel bearings. At the very least, they may
need repacking if it's been over 25,000 miles.
Once you decide to repack them, removal is required. And that's when
you'll find other problems if there are any to be found.
When I had a leaking boot, I pulled the left half-shaft, and noticed
that the bottom ball joint was broken. I replaced that, repacked the
bearing, repacked the CV joint with a new boot, and reinstalled it
with new cap screws on the shaft flange.
Then, when I pulled the right half-shaft and brake caliper in
preparation for pulling the knuckle to repack the bearing, the hub
fell out of the knuckle and into my lap. The bearing had spun with no
observable symptoms. I replace the hub and knuckle with a rebuilt pair
from Dave Lenzi, and replaced the ball joints and boot.
If you decide not to repack them, you'll find none of these problems.
But that doesn't mean they aren't there.
Rick "seriously jonesing for Manny's one-ton front end kit" Denney
--
'73 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
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| Re: [GMCnet] Upgrades & CV Boot Question [message #174917 is a reply to message #174885] |
Thu, 28 June 2012 12:56 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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I've got to replace the right CV boot, and went back over the maintenance to see what's been done to that corner in the past. The right knuckle and hub, and wheel bearings were replaced 15,000 miles ago - do you think it makes sense to tear everything down to repack it when I do the CV boot, or just wait another 10,000 (or so) miles to do both sides at once?
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: [GMCnet] Upgrades & CV Boot Question [message #174921 is a reply to message #174917] |
Thu, 28 June 2012 14:13 |
Richard Denney
Messages: 920
Registered: April 2010
Karma: 9
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On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 1:56 PM, Mark <mark@habcycles.com> wrote:
>
>
> I've got to replace the right CV boot, and went back over the maintenance to see what's been done to that corner in the past. The right knuckle and hub, and wheel bearings were replaced 15,000 miles ago - do you think it makes sense to tear everything down to repack it when I do the CV boot, or just wait another 10,000 (or so) miles to do both sides at once?
When you remove the half-shaft, which you have to do anyway, the only
thing holding the hub into the knuckle is the fit of the bearing. It
should be tight, but roll smoothly. I would at least unbolt the brake
caliper and pull it aside, and then check that the hub is smooth and
tight in the knuckle. If so, I wouldn't go any further until time for
regular bearing maintenance.
When putting it back together, I would make sure that the seal face
just contacts the flange of the axle stub. If the seal was installed
too deeply, it won't make contact. If that's the case, do it all.
While you are there, check to see if there is a zerk for adding grease
to the bearing. I doubt there will be--I don't think that was as
popular 15 years ago as now--but if so, the time to add grease is when
the half-shaft bolt is loose so that excess grease can escape without
distorting the face seal.
Rick "who replaced CV joint boots and front bearings three or four
years ago" Denney
--
'73 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
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| Re: [GMCnet] Upgrades & CV Boot Question [message #174922 is a reply to message #174917] |
Thu, 28 June 2012 14:17 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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Sir: check it for a grease fitting , might get lucky?? If not, To repack the bearings you gotta pull the hubs. If the knuckle is factory specs it will pull out with little effort, if it has been replaced chances are you will have to have a puller to get apart. When you do get it apart you have to use a needle on a grease gun, iffy at best, or press the bearings off to pack with grease. I might suggest buying a grease kit from Jim K.
http://appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/885
It would be little more trouble if you have the cv removed. It still beats removing pressin and pullin replacing. There are rumors around the net that you can take the wheel off and slide the bad boot back on the shaft and release the snap ring and pull the axle out of the cv. Remove old boot, replace with new boot slid up on shaft. put the axle back in the cv making sure it is locked, slide the new boot on the cv and band it. This did not work for me, I still had to drop the ball joint. I was advised not to band the small end to keep boot from puckering and binding. I was told the grease slings out, but i cant figure how that turning shaft knows which way is out. About 5k without inner bands and no leakage or cracks. The boots i replaced were 2 years old and were banded on the inside. They were cracked badly in the folds but were not leaking yet.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/crestmont/p35381-2-year-old-boot-amp.html
| habbyguy wrote on Thu, 28 June 2012 13:56 |
I've got to replace the right CV boot, and went back over the maintenance to see what's been done to that corner in the past. The right knuckle and hub, and wheel bearings were replaced 15,000 miles ago - do you think it makes sense to tear everything down to repack it when I do the CV boot, or just wait another 10,000 (or so) miles to do both sides at once?
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: [GMCnet] Upgrades & CV Boot Question [message #174972 is a reply to message #174945] |
Thu, 28 June 2012 21:24 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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rebuilt control arms
bearing puller $600
bad cv joint re builds
200,000 mile bearings
rebuilt hubs and knuckles
think this will not need to be done ?
lets see how it adds up ;>)
read the list , do the math, and make your own decision ( time will tell)
http://gmcmotorhome.info/front.html
choices, choices choices
think it through
jwid
gene
On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 5:53 PM, Robert Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:
> Gene,
>
> HUH?
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Upgrades & CV Boot Question [message #174992 is a reply to message #174972] |
Fri, 29 June 2012 05:30 |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Nah,
Forget about changing the wheel bearings, sell the GMC and buy an SOB! ;-)
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of gene Fisher
Sent: Friday, 29 June 2012 12:25 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Upgrades & CV Boot Question
rebuilt control arms
bearing puller $600
bad cv joint re builds
200,000 mile bearings
rebuilt hubs and knuckles
think this will not need to be done ?
lets see how it adds up ;>)
read the list , do the math, and make your own decision ( time will tell)
http://gmcmotorhome.info/front.html
choices, choices choices
think it through
jwid
gene
On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 5:53 PM, Robert Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:
> Gene,
>
> HUH?
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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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] Upgrades & CV Boot Question [message #175001 is a reply to message #174992] |
Fri, 29 June 2012 08:08 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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buy 4 gmc-s they are cheap
you could have one in each place you visit ;>)
swat, rob n I do
gene
On Fri, Jun 29, 2012 at 3:33 AM, Robert Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:
> Nah,
>
> Forget about changing the wheel bearings, sell the GMC and buy an SOB! ;-)
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:
> gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of gene Fisher
> Sent: Friday, 29 June 2012 12:25 PM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Upgrades & CV Boot Question
>
> rebuilt control arms
> bearing puller $600
> bad cv joint re builds
> 200,000 mile bearings
> rebuilt hubs and knuckles
>
> think this will not need to be done ?
>
>
> lets see how it adds up ;>)
> read the list , do the math, and make your own decision ( time will tell)
>
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/front.html
>
> choices, choices choices
>
> think it through
> jwid
> gene
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 5:53 PM, Robert Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au
> >wrote:
>
> > Gene,
> >
> > HUH?
> >
>
> --
> Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
> “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
> -------
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/
> Alternator Protection Cable
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
> _______________________________________________
> 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:
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>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Upgrades & CV Boot Question [message #175026 is a reply to message #175001] |
Fri, 29 June 2012 11:47 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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WOW. That's a lot to chew on this early in the morning (maybe I need more of the McDonald's coffee too).
I guess at this point I can only hope that the shop that changed my rig's front end bearings (and right side knuckle and hub) did a good job, and chose the right seals. I'll certainly check that all out when I have the axle out to change the CV boot.
Then I guess the next step will be to buy / borrow one of the front end greaser kits so I can repack the front bearings without too much drama. I'll certainly upgrade to the zerk fittings next time I have to replace the front bearings (unless I get really lucky and they're already there).
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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