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| suspension bushings [message #182777] |
Sat, 01 September 2012 14:52  |
chasingsummer
Messages: 434
Registered: May 2011
Location: asheboro, nc
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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i remvoed my front wheels today to have balanced. i took them to a local big truck shop. (i need a new wheel since one is slightly bent, but that is a difference subject)
my front bushings are shot, and i am not convenced this is a diy project for me.
my question is,
for a good old school mechanic,works on heavy trucks everyday, but is not familiar with the gmc, how many hours should i expect this job to take?
any related info is appreciated
bgk
brian
asheboro, nc
75 eleganza, 74 build
119k miles and counting,
DOG HOUSE
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| Re: suspension bushings [message #182781 is a reply to message #182777] |
Sat, 01 September 2012 15:19  |
John Sharpe
Messages: 489
Registered: February 2006
Location: Texas
Karma: 1
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| Quote: |
i remvoed my front wheels today to have balanced. i took them to a local big truck shop. (i need a new wheel since one is slightly bent, but that is a difference subject)
my front bushings are shot, and i am not convenced this is a diy project for me.
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Sounds like you are talking about the lower control arm bushings. Pretty straight forward. I would recommend the urethane bushings in which case leave the bushing cases in and use a torch to burn the rubber out. If you choose to replace the metal bushing housings (cans) you will need a tool to press the old bushing off and new bushings back on. This is the same tool used for the Toro/Eldo that is hard to find now. If you try to hammer them off and on you will surely bend the arms as they are not strong enough in the bushing area to take those kind of forces. Steve Ferguson beefs up the lower arms better than new. Might consider taking them off and sending them to Steve. http://bdub.net/ferguson/ I don't know the year of your coach and that dictates whether Steve can use them for cores. Sorta the rule of thumb is a 1973-1974 are probably not rebuildable by Steve.
The rest of the job entails removing the axles, knuckles (spindles), outer tie rod ends, stabilizer bar links etc. Pretty involved but you should be able to do it in a couple of days. You know how it goes, probably take a week or more in time but only a couple of days in actual working on the coach.
John Sharpe
Humble,TX
'78 Eleganza TBI
'89 Spectrum 2000 MPI V-10
'40 Ford Panel Delivery TPI
johnasharpe@gmail.com
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| Re: suspension bushings [message #182785 is a reply to message #182781] |
Sat, 01 September 2012 16:03 |
chasingsummer
Messages: 434
Registered: May 2011
Location: asheboro, nc
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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john
that is the exact job i am thinking of.
i am sure if there are any special tools needed that i do not have them, o
i have not received an estimate for this job since shop mentioned seeing vechicle before giving one.
i have a camping trip planned first weekend of october, so i assume on the way back i may stop there for there estimate, i just wonder how many man hours i should expect job to take, are there any additional concerns i should have since shop works on heavy trucks and may have never seen a gmc.
i know when i did my timing chain i took what should have been a 5 hour job and made it last for days, but that job was worth me doing, inpact wrench is nice tool to have, and if i had to, i could do again in hours instead of days. should i consider this a similiar job and should just tackle myself?
i do understand thee are times when we should just pay expertise to do things for us, sometimes i have a hard time knowing when those times are. i also know if i keep giving my entrance step money to others for other things i will never have an entrance step.
i will shut up now
thanks brian
brian
asheboro, nc
75 eleganza, 74 build
119k miles and counting,
DOG HOUSE
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| Re: [GMCnet] suspension bushings [message #182842 is a reply to message #182777] |
Sat, 01 September 2012 21:24 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Brian,
Are you talking the rubber bushings in the upper and lower A arms or
the upper and lower Ball joints? Typically only the lower ball joint
needs to be replaced. The bushings most likely are NOT available
locally. You can get them from Jim K if you need those.
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1022
How to install:
<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4860-front-alignment-amp-offset-bushings.html
>
or
http://goo.gl/KAqUe
<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/lower-control-arm-reinforcements/p27223-lcar19.html
>
or
http://goo.gl/Jkqkl
Ball joint replacement:
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/961
http://gmcmotorhomeinfo.com/front.html#Moog
or
http://goo.gl/09Fae
If your mechanic pulls out a torch to work on your coach, Run away fast!
JR Wright
On Sep 1, 2012, at 3:52 PM, brian wrote:
>
>
> i remvoed my front wheels today to have balanced. i took them to a
> local big truck shop. (i need a new wheel since one is slightly
> bent, but that is a difference subject)
>
> my front bushings are shot, and i am not convenced this is a diy
> project for me.
>
> my question is,
> for a good old school mechanic,works on heavy trucks everyday, but
> is not familiar with the gmc, how many hours should i expect this
> job to take?
> any related info is appreciated
> bgk
>
> --
> brian
> asheboro, nc
> 75 eleganza 2 74 build
> 118k miles and counting,
> DOG HOUSE
_______________________________________________
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: suspension bushings [message #182854 is a reply to message #182777] |
Sat, 01 September 2012 22:20 |
crash24
Messages: 79
Registered: February 2012
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Karma: 0
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Member |
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The lower control arms are very similar to GM light truck. The bushings are standard C-30 TRUCK. The urethane bushings are used by most kids doing a lift on their 3/4 or 1 Ton truck.
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/?gclid=CKC5wIb3lbICFWWCQgodyTAATQ
I've been helped a lot by truck shops, who find the GMC easy to work on compared to a heavy truck. found just the opposite with car/light truck shops, every one of them thinks a GMC is a big, hard puzzle.
| chasingsummer wrote on Sat, 01 September 2012 12:52 |
i remvoed my front wheels today to have balanced. i took them to a local big truck shop. (i need a new wheel since one is slightly bent, but that is a difference subject)
my front bushings are shot, and i am not convenced this is a diy project for me.
my question is,
for a good old school mechanic,works on heavy trucks everyday, but is not familiar with the gmc, how many hours should i expect this job to take?
any related info is appreciated
bgk
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| Re: [GMCnet] suspension bushings [message #182869 is a reply to message #182777] |
Sun, 02 September 2012 04:17 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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it would be much cheaper and better to do the one ton VI read here
everything new for less
http://gmcmotorhome.info/front.html
gene
On Sat, Sep 1, 2012 at 12:52 PM, brian <chasingsummer@triad.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
> i remvoed my front wheels today to have balanced. i took them to a local
> big truck shop. (i need a new wheel since one is slightly bent, but that is
> a difference subject)
>
> my front bushings are shot, and i am not convenced this is a diy project
> for me.
>
> my question is,
> for a good old school mechanic,works on heavy trucks everyday, but is not
> familiar with the gmc, how many hours should i expect this job to take?
> any related info is appreciated
> bgk
>
> --
> brian
> asheboro, nc
> 75 eleganza 2 74 build
> 118k miles and counting,
> DOG HOUSE
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
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] suspension bushings [message #182871 is a reply to message #182781] |
Sun, 02 September 2012 06:56 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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>
> John,
>
I answered Reid's email yesterday. I work through GMC vendors only. The
one exception to this policy is if you show up in my driveway with a clean
set of lowers that are rebuildable. You are correct on the '73 lowers. I
will not rebuild them but they are in demand for the one ton conversion
since the business end has to be cut off and discarded. I no longer
recommend using a torch to remove the old rubber from the "'cans". Much
easier to press out the inner sleeve, then the rubber. The torch method
leaves a lot of residual rubber in the "can" (old sleeve) that is a bear to
remove. One drop of the old melted rubber on a shoe will ruin a quarter
mile of carpeting and usually results in divorce making the project very
expensive.
Reid,
If you take the coach to a truck shop, a couple of pointers here. Support
the front end from the cross member. This takes the tension off the
torsion bars and will eliminate the need for the special tool required for
torsion bar unloading. Chances are good that you will require an alignment
after the new bushings are installed since you are effectively
repositioning the lower control arms. If your favorite shop is accustomed
to working on HD trucks with torsion bars, they can probably do the job.
As John said, leave the old bushing sleeves in place and just press in the
urethane bushing replacements. This is much simpler and quicker that
removing the old bushings and sleeves.
>
> Quote:
> > i remvoed my front wheels today to have balanced. i took them to a local
> big truck shop. (i need a new wheel since one is slightly bent, but that is
> a difference subject)
> >
> > my front bushings are shot, and i am not convenced this is a diy project
> for me.
>
>
> Steve Ferguson beefs up the lower arms better than new. Might consider
> taking them off and sending them to Steve. http://bdub.net/ferguson/ I
> don't know the year of your coach and that dictates whether Steve can use
> them for cores. Sorta the rule of thumb is a 1973-1974 are probably not
> rebuildable by Steve.
> --
>
Fathom the hypocrisy of a nation where every citizen must prove they have
health insurance......but not everyone has to prove they're a citizen.
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] suspension bushings [message #182875 is a reply to message #182871] |
Sun, 02 September 2012 08:11 |
John Sharpe
Messages: 489
Registered: February 2006
Location: Texas
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| Quote: |
......shop works on heavy trucks and may have never seen a gmc.....
|
RED Flag. Generally, I would NOT recommend the shop do anything to the wheel bearings while they have it off. That job should only be done by someone who is very familiar with the method and has the tools to do it. There are critical measurements and assembly techniques that must be done. You don't want to be on the long list of owners that became stranded because the shop didn't know how to properly service the front wheel bearings. It is no-longer recommended to use the procedure described in the Maintenance Manual.
John Sharpe
Humble,TX
'78 Eleganza TBI
'89 Spectrum 2000 MPI V-10
'40 Ford Panel Delivery TPI
johnasharpe@gmail.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] suspension bushings [message #182941 is a reply to message #182939] |
Sun, 02 September 2012 17:01 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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I believe the costs are somewhat higher than $1700 when all parts are accounted for, but still, it's reportedly a big improvement.
Larry Davick
On Sep 2, 2012, at 2:44 PM, Reid <carboneraser@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> As gene has pointed out the cost of repairing the OEM frontend will usually be more than the $1700 1Ton conversion that comes with urethane bushings. When you think about the bigger brakes, getting the front wheels inline with the rears, and getting rid of the one weak link in the GMC, the car wheel bearings, it becomes a no brainer to contact Manny.
>
> Manny Trovao <mailto:mannystrans@gmail.com>
>
> John Sharpe wrote on Sun, 02 September 2012 06:11
>> Quote:
>>> ......shop works on heavy trucks and may have never seen a gmc.....
>>
>>
>> RED Flag. Generally, I would NOT recommend the shop do anything to the wheel bearings while they have it off. That job should only be done by someone who is very familiar with the method and has the tools to do it. There are critical measurements and assembly techniques that must be done. You don't want to be on the long list of owners that became stranded because the shop didn't know how to properly service the front wheel bearings. It is no-longer recommended to use the procedure described in the Maintenance
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] suspension bushings [message #182944 is a reply to message #182871] |
Sun, 02 September 2012 18:22 |
crash24
Messages: 79
Registered: February 2012
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Karma: 0
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Member |
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I missed the note yesterday.
Thanks for the instructions on jacking the front in the middle of the crossmember or at least evenly.
I think the first camp welding truck I had was a 1963(?) GM. Both torsion bars broke, so they welded the front solid and made a yard truck out of it.
[quote title=Steven Ferguson wrote on Sun, 02 September 2012 04:56]>
> John,
>
I answered Reid's email yesterday. I work through GMC vendors only. The
one exception to this policy is if you show up in my driveway with a clean
set of lowers that are rebuildable.
Reid,
If you take the coach to a truck shop, a couple of pointers here. Support
the front end from the cross member. This takes the tension off the
torsion bars and will eliminate the need for the special tool required for
torsion bar unloading. Chances are good that you will require an alignment
after the new bushings are installed since you are effectively
repositioning the lower control arms. If your favorite shop is accustomed
to working on HD trucks with torsion bars, they can probably do the job.
As John said, leave the old bushing sleeves in place and just press in the
urethane bushing replacements. This is much simpler and quicker that
removing the old bushings and sleeves.
> rebuildable by Steve.
> --
>
Fathom the hypocrisy of a nation where every citizen must prove they have
health insurance......but not everyone has to prove they're a citizen.
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] suspension bushings [message #182949 is a reply to message #182944] |
Sun, 02 September 2012 20:40 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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if you jack it up in the middle of the front order a jack pad from:
Terry Skinner <gmcnut@gmail.com>
this is the bees knees or the squirl's nuts.
sorry to talk dirty but they are small nuts. IT is not that dirty.
this jack pad is really a great help there is pictures somewhere in the universe.
this jack pad fits in the holes in the center axle beam and will not slip off the floor jack in an earth quake as easy.
if you do not have one use wood between the floor jack and the beam under the front of the gmc motor home.
mickey
77 palm beach nest to kennedy's
anaheim ca.
On Sep 2, 2012, at 4:22 PM, Reid wrote:
>
>
> I missed the note yesterday.
> Thanks for the instructions on jacking the front in the middle of the crossmember or at least evenly.
> I think the first camp welding truck I had was a 1963(?) GM. Both torsion bars broke, so they welded the front solid and made a yard truck out of it.
>
>
> [quote title=Steven Ferguson wrote on Sun, 02 September 2012 04:56]>
>> John,
>>
> I answered Reid's email yesterday. I work through GMC vendors only. The
> one exception to this policy is if you show up in my driveway with a clean
> set of lowers that are rebuildable.
> Reid,
> If you take the coach to a truck shop, a couple of pointers here. Support
> the front end from the cross member. This takes the tension off the
> torsion bars and will eliminate the need for the special tool required for
> torsion bar unloading. Chances are good that you will require an alignment
> after the new bushings are installed since you are effectively
> repositioning the lower control arms. If your favorite shop is accustomed
> to working on HD trucks with torsion bars, they can probably do the job.
> As John said, leave the old bushing sleeves in place and just press in the
> urethane bushing replacements. This is much simpler and quicker that
> removing the old bushings and sleeves.
>> rebuildable by Steve.
>> --
>>
> Fathom the hypocrisy of a nation where every citizen must prove they have
> health insurance......but not everyone has to prove they're a citizen.
> Steve Ferguson
> Sierra Vista, AZ
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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| Re: [GMCnet] suspension bushings [message #182952 is a reply to message #182939] |
Sun, 02 September 2012 21:24 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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how and what should i do to do the front bearings. My mechanic is really good but is there somewhere in L.A. that i can get the right tools for him
if i need to do the bearings. I am not a cross country driver so far so i could just back up my bearings for the hell of it now. He is a third generation
mechanic and is a genius and honest gives help and does the best job first time, and tells you why it is better and suggests and sees what is needed
like a father would to his son. He does not fix it but would do it different if it was his vehicle that he owns. He tells you before the cost and anticipates
what is needed not waits for it to break to get more money. He is honest and truthful and i want him to get the tools to do the bearings.
he has a complete shop and i have not yet even driven into this shop. I would like to buy him the tools to do it before and give them to him.
What are the minimum tools i need to allow him the special needs for the gmc motorhome. Bearing kit, anything else. he is next to LAX airport.
His 80 year old father still works with him, he should know the carb engines really well. .
mickey
anaheim ca.
77 palm beach
On Sep 2, 2012, at 2:44 PM, Reid wrote:
>
>
> As gene has pointed out the cost of repairing the OEM frontend will usually be more than the $1700 1Ton conversion that comes with urethane bushings. When you think about the bigger brakes, getting the front wheels inline with the rears, and getting rid of the one weak link in the GMC, the car wheel bearings, it becomes a no brainer to contact Manny.
>
> Manny Trovao <mailto:mannystrans@gmail.com>
>
> John Sharpe wrote on Sun, 02 September 2012 06:11
>> Quote:
>>> ......shop works on heavy trucks and may have never seen a gmc.....
>>
>>
>> RED Flag. Generally, I would NOT recommend the shop do anything to the wheel bearings while they have it off. That job should only be done by someone who is very familiar with the method and has the tools to do it. There are critical measurements and assembly techniques that must be done. You don't want to be on the long list of owners that became stranded because the shop didn't know how to properly service the front wheel bearings. It is no-longer recommended to use the procedure described in the Maintenance Manual.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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