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| [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #219822] |
Sat, 24 August 2013 23:31  |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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I got home from work late Friday afternoon. "Sweetheart," I said to my
wife, "Rob and Helen are coming in tomorrow around noon. Have we got stuff
ready for them?"
"Yes," she replied. "I spent a good chunk of the day cooking, and you'll
notice that your disaster area of an office has been cleaned up. You're
welcome by the way."
"Honey, you are the best wife ever, you know that? I"m going to go for a
run, and when I get back, I'll organize my tools and the garage and any
last-minute things that need to be done.
It was raining ever so lightly as I started on what I hoped to be a three
mile jog in a long loop around the neighborhod.. I wasn't quite halfway
into it when my phone rang.
"Hey, mate! It's Rob and Helen! We're actually a bit ahead of schedule, and
are about 90 minutes from you. By the way, I need a particular part. Can
you help me out by picking it up before the place closes in 45 minutes?"
"Eep! That's across town, in the rain, on a Friday afternoon, and I'm half
a mile away from home. Right, I'm on it!" What can I say, I like a
challene. I hoofed it back to the house, let Dana know that our guests
would be a smidgen earlier than exptected, and I had to leave right gorram
now. :)
I did,in fact, get to the place five minutes before they closed
Then one of my clients in a divorce case called me up, and I had to meet
with him for a bit. He met me at my driveway as I was pulling in. I got him
situated and went inside.
"Honey," my wife said, "My mom and her husband are coming in from overseas
in a few weeks, flying into the airport. THey'll spend the next month or so
here in the US visiting family. We need to loan them a car."
"Certainly dear. They can take either the Subaru or the Fit, depending.
I'll drive the Catalina to and from work. It needs the workout anyway.
Not too long after, Rob and Helen pulled up in Double Trouble, a very nice
Avion. I had the pleasure of meeting Rob over ice cream back at the Dothan
rally, but now I got to meet his absolutely charming wife Helen. She's
awesome.
Rob is working on some mad science involving RV hookups and dryer plugs, so
I took him to Lowes to pick up some odds and ends. Harbor Freight was only
a bit further down the road, and we went searching for a specialty part,
but they didn't have it either. We picked up a funky drill water pump (you
literally chuck your drill into it and it pumps water) for the pressure
washer., and we returned home.
Our little Yorkie barked all night long, anytime one of our guests made a
sound. Sophie is an absolute diva and she doesn't like sharing space. Very
yappy little dog. And I had to be at work at 6AM this morning!
When I finally got home around 3, I found that Rob and Dana and Helen had
been very busy. The pressure washer was fixed, Helen had sewn a doggie bed
for Sophie as a gift, the garage was organized better, etc. Dana arrived
shortly after I got home, returning with Rob from the tire place and
getting his tires remounted.
I must say that I really really like the way Rob stores his tools aboard
his coach.
After we got the wheels mounted and the coach lowered back to the ground, I
organized my tools and supplies and took Rob over to the Barn Queen. He
showed me how to use Jim Hupy's GMC Brake Bleeder tools, There was no
flouid coming out any of the rear four bleeder valves. We checked the
proportioning valve that isn't a proportioning valve but is some other type
fof valve that goes where a proportioning valve would go, and there was
pressure going to both the front and rear. Rob had me take loose the hard
line where it connects to teh rubber line that goes to each wheel on either
side. There was pressure. Ergo, we now know that the rubber lines have
collapsed and need replacing.
The same story was true of one of the front brakes as well. At this point,
I was wondering if I had ANY braking at all, or whether I was just using
The Force. Rob explained that with the engine running, there was a helluva
lot more pressure than the Hupy Bleed-O-Matic could put out, and it would
force some fluid through those collapsed rubber lines. There was a good
flow on one of the front brakes, so to the extent that I had brakes at all,
that probably had a lot to do with it.
The plan tomorrow is for Tom P to cme over, meeting us there. Tom and I
will take part the rear brakes, whilst Rob examines the front knuckles and
hubs and installs a grease fitting with some of the tools that some of
y'all have shipped to my house for him to use, which I apprecieate
immensely. Tom's wife Marilyn will pick up Helen at my house and go do girl
things around Jackson while Rob and Tom and I play GMC.
We called it quits for the night, and the ladies had made supper. Dana made
a cajun casserole and it all got et. :) It was goooood. If anyone ever gets
the opportunutiy to get Rob and Helen at a dinner table, I really recommend
it.
After dinner, Rob worked upon his science experiment some more, but it
seems the cable is too short by about 10 feet to allow him to plug into our
dryer. I can see, hwoever, that if I get an electrician to mount a 30 amp
outlet beneath the electrical panel in the garage that future GMC visitors
will have power, water, and sewer right there in our driveway.
I went shopping on JimK's site for the things that I might possibly need.
If I upgrade to 80mm calipers and get alll statinless steel hoses front and
back with new pads and shoes and wheel cylinders, as well as a belt and
hose kit, and a few extraneous Onan parts, I'm just over a thousand
dollars. Yikes! :) But really, it's a coach I picked up for 500 bucks. :)
Anyway, I'm wore slap out. Tomorrow will probably be interesting as well.
Sorry, no video. :)
--
Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2013 Subaru Outback "Top Flight"
1968 Pontiac Catalina "The Cheshire Cat"
1978 GMC Royale motorhome "Pinto Bean"
1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome "Barn Queen"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #219855 is a reply to message #219822] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 08:27  |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Addendum:
I took the NEW Kumho Discount tire had shipped to Robin's (MFG date 2013), the failed Kumho, and the good Kumho I had purchased in
Houston (MRG 0313) to Gateway tire after Big 10 Tires told Dana that they had no affiliation with Big 10 Tires in Orlando where I
had purchased the tire back in 2008. The sales rep at Gateway did some checking and that Kumho's warranty policy was that if the
tread wear was less than 3/32 of an inch they would replace the tire FOC. I already had a tire but I figgered that at the end of
this trip I'd probably need a couple more or at least I could get a brand new spare. He read a little further into the policy
paragraph and came to the part that said; "within 72 months of manufacture date." The tire that failed was manufactured in 0307 AW
S#!T! I might have been able to fight with Kumho but I probably would have had to take the tire back to Houston with me so
fagitaboutit!
I couldn't find any Equal so I installed Counteract in both front tires. Equal is a polymer product Counteract is small glass beads.
I bought one 10 oz bag and split it into two five ounce bags.
On to the Barn Queen!
The odometer shows 66K, the overall condition of the mechanical stuff it just might just be 66K and not 166 or 266 as it had only
driven from 1977 to 1990 when it was parked in the barn. I'm going to check the brake pedal this AM to see what it looks like.
The reason I am concerned is that if it is 66K then if it was maintained properly the front bearing would have only been
disassembled and greased twice, if it's 166k with the same caveat it would have been six times. As you know every time you take
apart the hubs and knuckles it causes wear. Plus the lower the mileage the less likely the knuckle bearing bore will be beaten up.
ChuckB was kind enough to send his zerk jig to Robin so we can modify them.
Well that's enough BS for the moment we've got to get over and start WORK!
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Robin Hood
Sent: Saturday, August 24, 2013 11:32 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen
I got home from work late Friday afternoon. "Sweetheart," I said to my
wife, "Rob and Helen are coming in tomorrow around noon. Have we got stuff
ready for them?"
"Yes," she replied. "I spent a good chunk of the day cooking, and you'll
notice that your disaster area of an office has been cleaned up. You're
welcome by the way."
"Honey, you are the best wife ever, you know that? I"m going to go for a
run, and when I get back, I'll organize my tools and the garage and any
last-minute things that need to be done.
It was raining ever so lightly as I started on what I hoped to be a three
mile jog in a long loop around the neighborhod.. I wasn't quite halfway
into it when my phone rang.
"Hey, mate! It's Rob and Helen! We're actually a bit ahead of schedule, and
are about 90 minutes from you. By the way, I need a particular part. Can
you help me out by picking it up before the place closes in 45 minutes?"
"Eep! That's across town, in the rain, on a Friday afternoon, and I'm half
a mile away from home. Right, I'm on it!" What can I say, I like a
challene. I hoofed it back to the house, let Dana know that our guests
would be a smidgen earlier than exptected, and I had to leave right gorram
now. :)
I did,in fact, get to the place five minutes before they closed
Then one of my clients in a divorce case called me up, and I had to meet
with him for a bit. He met me at my driveway as I was pulling in. I got him
situated and went inside.
"Honey," my wife said, "My mom and her husband are coming in from overseas
in a few weeks, flying into the airport. THey'll spend the next month or so
here in the US visiting family. We need to loan them a car."
"Certainly dear. They can take either the Subaru or the Fit, depending.
I'll drive the Catalina to and from work. It needs the workout anyway.
Not too long after, Rob and Helen pulled up in Double Trouble, a very nice
Avion. I had the pleasure of meeting Rob over ice cream back at the Dothan
rally, but now I got to meet his absolutely charming wife Helen. She's
awesome.
Rob is working on some mad science involving RV hookups and dryer plugs, so
I took him to Lowes to pick up some odds and ends. Harbor Freight was only
a bit further down the road, and we went searching for a specialty part,
but they didn't have it either. We picked up a funky drill water pump (you
literally chuck your drill into it and it pumps water) for the pressure
washer., and we returned home.
Our little Yorkie barked all night long, anytime one of our guests made a
sound. Sophie is an absolute diva and she doesn't like sharing space. Very
yappy little dog. And I had to be at work at 6AM this morning!
When I finally got home around 3, I found that Rob and Dana and Helen had
been very busy. The pressure washer was fixed, Helen had sewn a doggie bed
for Sophie as a gift, the garage was organized better, etc. Dana arrived
shortly after I got home, returning with Rob from the tire place and
getting his tires remounted.
I must say that I really really like the way Rob stores his tools aboard
his coach.
After we got the wheels mounted and the coach lowered back to the ground, I
organized my tools and supplies and took Rob over to the Barn Queen. He
showed me how to use Jim Hupy's GMC Brake Bleeder tools, There was no
flouid coming out any of the rear four bleeder valves. We checked the
proportioning valve that isn't a proportioning valve but is some other type
fof valve that goes where a proportioning valve would go, and there was
pressure going to both the front and rear. Rob had me take loose the hard
line where it connects to teh rubber line that goes to each wheel on either
side. There was pressure. Ergo, we now know that the rubber lines have
collapsed and need replacing.
The same story was true of one of the front brakes as well. At this point,
I was wondering if I had ANY braking at all, or whether I was just using
The Force. Rob explained that with the engine running, there was a helluva
lot more pressure than the Hupy Bleed-O-Matic could put out, and it would
force some fluid through those collapsed rubber lines. There was a good
flow on one of the front brakes, so to the extent that I had brakes at all,
that probably had a lot to do with it.
The plan tomorrow is for Tom P to cme over, meeting us there. Tom and I
will take part the rear brakes, whilst Rob examines the front knuckles and
hubs and installs a grease fitting with some of the tools that some of
y'all have shipped to my house for him to use, which I apprecieate
immensely. Tom's wife Marilyn will pick up Helen at my house and go do girl
things around Jackson while Rob and Tom and I play GMC.
We called it quits for the night, and the ladies had made supper. Dana made
a cajun casserole and it all got et. :) It was goooood. If anyone ever gets
the opportunutiy to get Rob and Helen at a dinner table, I really recommend
it.
After dinner, Rob worked upon his science experiment some more, but it
seems the cable is too short by about 10 feet to allow him to plug into our
dryer. I can see, hwoever, that if I get an electrician to mount a 30 amp
outlet beneath the electrical panel in the garage that future GMC visitors
will have power, water, and sewer right there in our driveway.
I went shopping on JimK's site for the things that I might possibly need.
If I upgrade to 80mm calipers and get alll statinless steel hoses front and
back with new pads and shoes and wheel cylinders, as well as a belt and
hose kit, and a few extraneous Onan parts, I'm just over a thousand
dollars. Yikes! :) But really, it's a coach I picked up for 500 bucks. :)
Anyway, I'm wore slap out. Tomorrow will probably be interesting as well.
Sorry, no video. :)
--
Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2013 Subaru Outback "Top Flight"
1968 Pontiac Catalina "The Cheshire Cat"
1978 GMC Royale motorhome "Pinto Bean"
1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome "Barn Queen"
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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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| [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #219926 is a reply to message #219855] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 21:41 |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Omg I am worn slap out.
I got up early and went to Walmart and picked up a few odds and ends, in
particular some 6 x 9 tarps and a foam pad to lay down on the ground to
keep the wet and the rocks from killing us.
I did a much better job today with regards to packing tools and organizing
the supplies in my Subaru.
Dana left for church because she sings in the choir, and Rob and Helen
followed me in their coach over to where the Barn Queen resides.
We spent the first little while taking of the enormous kill the wasp tarp
and turning it into a tent for shade from the sun on a bright August
Mississippi day. Between the tarp and the ground pad, it made a huge
difference in our comfort levels. Rob extended the awning on Double Trouble
and his Onan ran like a champ. Helen and Marilyn sat under the awning and
watched us work.
Tom and Rob kept oohing and ahing about things on the Palm Beach. Their
consensus based on brake pedal wear is that it's a 66k mile coach, "not
even broke in yet!".
I took apart all four rear brake assemblies. The drums look immaculate I'm
told. The other parts don't really show any wear. There was water in the
drivers side middle and rear brakes, and one set of bearings were rusted to
the spindle and were cutoff wheeled.
3 of 4 wheel cylinders look okay, another is a lost cause. New ones don't
cost much.
The hard line from the passenger-side rear rubber brake hose to the wheel
cylinder had to be cut. I need a used one if anyone has done any of the
upgrades and removed their old Breakline, if you could bring it to Branson
that would be awesome! :-)
I despair about putting all of these pieces back to back together
correctly, but I took pictures and video and there are manuals and most of
the pieces really only fit in one place anyway.
Dana arrived, and the ladies all hung out together and did whatever it is
that GMC wives do when their men are up to their elbows in grease.
The weirdest thing of the day had to have been using a water pump that was
designed to be chucked into a drill to suck water out of double trouble and
feed it to the pressure washer. :)
We did not have time to check the knuckles or front hubs or do the grease
zerk job that Rob wanted to do. We did however make satisfactory progress
on the rear brakes!
Dan I took everybody out to eat for catfish and we had a lot of fun.
It was like our own private work rally. My wife got to spend a lot of time
in a very nice coach and see what they look like when they're all put
together and working correctly and tastefully decorated. She even said,
"why don't we sell the house and stay in the nice campground by the
reservoir? We could be full timers!"
I really cannot express enough how much I appreciate Rob and Tom coming to
help me with this. If I did not have access to them as well as everyone
on the GMC net, I would have to give up on this project.
I hope that everyone has safe travels. Robin Helen will leave tomorrow
while I am still at work, but we will see each other again at Branson. :)
By the way, Rob's mad scientist contraption works! Double trouble is now
hooked into my dryer outlet through an extension cord.
Sleep! Comb sweet slumber enshroud me in thy purple cloak...
--
Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2013 Subaru Outback "Top Flight"
1968 Pontiac Catalina "The Cheshire Cat"
1978 GMC Royale motorhome "Pinto Bean"
1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome "Barn Queen"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #219942 is a reply to message #219855] |
Mon, 26 August 2013 02:18 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Robert Mueller wrote on Sun, 25 August 2013 08:27 |
Addendum:
I took the NEW Kumho Discount tire had shipped to Robin's (MFG date 2013), the failed Kumho, and the good Kumho I had purchased in
Houston (MRG 0313) to Gateway tire after Big 10 Tires told Dana that they had no affiliation with Big 10 Tires in Orlando where I
had purchased the tire back in 2008. The sales rep at Gateway did some checking and that Kumho's warranty policy was that if the
tread wear was less than 3/32 of an inch they would replace the tire FOC. I already had a tire but I figgered that at the end of
this trip I'd probably need a couple more or at least I could get a brand new spare. He read a little further into the policy
paragraph and came to the part that said; "within 72 months of manufacture date." The tire that failed was manufactured in 0307 AW
S#!T! I might have been able to fight with Kumho but I probably would have had to take the tire back to Houston with me so
fagitaboutit!
|
Are you saying that you have had that tire for over 6 years? That doesn't sound correct to me. I know you got yours after I got mine and it does not seem like it has been 6 years.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #219981 is a reply to message #219961] |
Mon, 26 August 2013 10:09 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Mon, 26 August 2013 08:10 |
Ken, you got yours sometime after Rayne, La. In the Spring of 07. Could be 6 years.
Dan
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When was the Eastern States Rally in Nashville? I seem to remember putting them on the week or two before we went there.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #220048 is a reply to message #219988] |
Mon, 26 August 2013 21:46 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Thanks for the link Chuck.
I went through ALL of the pictures again remembering the good time we had there. I even saw my coach in the pictures with my new Eagles on it. It is hard to believe that was 6 years ago.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #220079 is a reply to message #220048] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 06:41 |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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When I am old and decrepit, I hope I am old and decrepit like Rob. Whew! He
is hard to keep up with! Dana and I had the pleasure of Rob and Helen's
company for an additional day. Rob apparently spent the day tinkering on
part of his coach, as well as reorganizing my garage. Well, moving a few
things around so they were out of the way, as well as some safety related
issues (the shelves are now secured to the wall). If you ever get the
opportunity to host Rob and Helen, I can definitely say that I recommend
it. :)
When i got home from work, Dana and Helen were cooking up a storm in the
kitchen. They did some kind of Cajun/Australian fusion spaghetti thing that
was very good, but wouldn't be ready for a little while, but Dana had also
grilled up some buffalo style drumsticks for Rob and I.
After the snack of a couple of drumsticks, leaving room for the real meal
later, Rob and I made a trip to a hardware store for some bolts and washer
so he could put my engine hoist together correctly. I guess I did okay,
considering, but now I cna say that the hoise is RIGHT. I didn't know that
washer go under nuts, not bolt heads, and the sequence is "parent metal,
flat washer, lock washer, nut." I learned something! :)
Since we ran out of time to pull the front knuckles and do the bearing
inspection/replacement/zerk installation, I was asking Rob about the
various ways to get that job done, and what tools were necessay, the
relaative merits of the slide hammer vs the ball joint seperator, etc. We
hit upon the idea of getting a mobile mechanic to just seperate the
knuckles from the GMC, and I could ship the whole assembly off to somoene
that could do the bearing and zerk work, and ship 'em back to me or I could
pick them up in Branson if they were going. My mobile mechanic could help
me re-install them, and by that time I'd have rear brakes done and maybe
new calipers if needed, and it would be DONE.
I could continue to drive on the fuel cell in the passenger floorboard, or
drop the tanks and run new corn-proof gas lines.
We got back home, cleaned up and organized the garage some more, and the
ladies called us to eat. The spaghetti was delicious, and I think they made
a few months worth of sauce. We'll be sending plenty of it (and some more
cajun casserole) with them for the next leg of their trip.
They should be leaving out today while I'm still at work. Rob, Helen, it
was awesome having you, and we'll look forward to seeing y'all at Branson!
:)
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #220189 is a reply to message #220079] |
Wed, 28 August 2013 09:55 |
|
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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G'day,
I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted by Robin's first paragraph. I can tell you that after helping Bill and Betty and
then Robin and Dana I damn sure do FEEL old and decrepit! It's just not fair that at 66 one cannot do what one did at 36, 46, or
even 56 without feeling old and decrepit! I'll take it as a compliment.
Robin is most fortunate as looking over the wear and tear on the rear brake parts and other mileage indicators both TomP and I feel
that this coach has only don 66K miles. The Onan has 199 hours on it which matches its physical appearance.
Robin is going to go through the brakes, steering, and front suspension so he knows what he's got before he takes it on any long
runs; which IMHO is smart with a capital "S!"
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Robin Hood
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 6:41 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen
When I am old and decrepit, I hope I am old and decrepit like Rob. Whew! He
is hard to keep up with! Dana and I had the pleasure of Rob and Helen's
company for an additional day. Rob apparently spent the day tinkering on
part of his coach, as well as reorganizing my garage. Well, moving a few
things around so they were out of the way, as well as some safety related
issues (the shelves are now secured to the wall). If you ever get the
opportunity to host Rob and Helen, I can definitely say that I recommend
it. :)
When i got home from work, Dana and Helen were cooking up a storm in the
kitchen. They did some kind of Cajun/Australian fusion spaghetti thing that
was very good, but wouldn't be ready for a little while, but Dana had also
grilled up some buffalo style drumsticks for Rob and I.
After the snack of a couple of drumsticks, leaving room for the real meal
later, Rob and I made a trip to a hardware store for some bolts and washer
so he could put my engine hoist together correctly. I guess I did okay,
considering, but now I cna say that the hoise is RIGHT. I didn't know that
washer go under nuts, not bolt heads, and the sequence is "parent metal,
flat washer, lock washer, nut." I learned something! :)
Since we ran out of time to pull the front knuckles and do the bearing
inspection/replacement/zerk installation, I was asking Rob about the
various ways to get that job done, and what tools were necessay, the
relaative merits of the slide hammer vs the ball joint seperator, etc. We
hit upon the idea of getting a mobile mechanic to just seperate the
knuckles from the GMC, and I could ship the whole assembly off to somoene
that could do the bearing and zerk work, and ship 'em back to me or I could
pick them up in Branson if they were going. My mobile mechanic could help
me re-install them, and by that time I'd have rear brakes done and maybe
new calipers if needed, and it would be DONE.
I could continue to drive on the fuel cell in the passenger floorboard, or
drop the tanks and run new corn-proof gas lines.
We got back home, cleaned up and organized the garage some more, and the
ladies called us to eat. The spaghetti was delicious, and I think they made
a few months worth of sauce. We'll be sending plenty of it (and some more
cajun casserole) with them for the next leg of their trip.
They should be leaving out today while I'm still at work. Rob, Helen, it
was awesome having you, and we'll look forward to seeing y'all at Branson!
:)
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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] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #220200 is a reply to message #220189] |
Wed, 28 August 2013 10:30 |
Betty Chimento
Messages: 20
Registered: August 2013
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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You did not seems old & decrepit to us. If you are, you did pretty damn good.
We did not think we were going to have to use our valuable time with you pulling the coach out of the storage area. I went over & made sure it started. Didn't think about it not being able to move but it had been raining every day.
Thanks again,
Betty & Chimento
Sent from my iPad
On Aug 28, 2013, at 9:55 AM, "Rob Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> G'day,
>
> I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted by Robin's first paragraph. I can tell you that after helping Bill and Betty and
> then Robin and Dana I damn sure do FEEL old and decrepit! It's just not fair that at 66 one cannot do what one did at 36, 46, or
> even 56 without feeling old and decrepit! I'll take it as a compliment.
>
> Robin is most fortunate as looking over the wear and tear on the rear brake parts and other mileage indicators both TomP and I feel
> that this coach has only don 66K miles. The Onan has 199 hours on it which matches its physical appearance.
>
> Robin is going to go through the brakes, steering, and front suspension so he knows what he's got before he takes it on any long
> runs; which IMHO is smart with a capital "S!"
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Robin Hood
> Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 6:41 AM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen
>
> When I am old and decrepit, I hope I am old and decrepit like Rob. Whew! He
> is hard to keep up with! Dana and I had the pleasure of Rob and Helen's
> company for an additional day. Rob apparently spent the day tinkering on
> part of his coach, as well as reorganizing my garage. Well, moving a few
> things around so they were out of the way, as well as some safety related
> issues (the shelves are now secured to the wall). If you ever get the
> opportunity to host Rob and Helen, I can definitely say that I recommend
> it. :)
>
> When i got home from work, Dana and Helen were cooking up a storm in the
> kitchen. They did some kind of Cajun/Australian fusion spaghetti thing that
> was very good, but wouldn't be ready for a little while, but Dana had also
> grilled up some buffalo style drumsticks for Rob and I.
>
> After the snack of a couple of drumsticks, leaving room for the real meal
> later, Rob and I made a trip to a hardware store for some bolts and washer
> so he could put my engine hoist together correctly. I guess I did okay,
> considering, but now I cna say that the hoise is RIGHT. I didn't know that
> washer go under nuts, not bolt heads, and the sequence is "parent metal,
> flat washer, lock washer, nut." I learned something! :)
>
> Since we ran out of time to pull the front knuckles and do the bearing
> inspection/replacement/zerk installation, I was asking Rob about the
> various ways to get that job done, and what tools were necessay, the
> relaative merits of the slide hammer vs the ball joint seperator, etc. We
> hit upon the idea of getting a mobile mechanic to just seperate the
> knuckles from the GMC, and I could ship the whole assembly off to somoene
> that could do the bearing and zerk work, and ship 'em back to me or I could
> pick them up in Branson if they were going. My mobile mechanic could help
> me re-install them, and by that time I'd have rear brakes done and maybe
> new calipers if needed, and it would be DONE.
>
> I could continue to drive on the fuel cell in the passenger floorboard, or
> drop the tanks and run new corn-proof gas lines.
>
> We got back home, cleaned up and organized the garage some more, and the
> ladies called us to eat. The spaghetti was delicious, and I think they made
> a few months worth of sauce. We'll be sending plenty of it (and some more
> cajun casserole) with them for the next leg of their trip.
>
> They should be leaving out today while I'm still at work. Rob, Helen, it
> was awesome having you, and we'll look forward to seeing y'all at Branson!
> :)
> _______________________________________________
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #220299 is a reply to message #220209] |
Thu, 29 August 2013 07:58 |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Ok, new plan.
I'm going to clean up the rear bearings and drums, replace seals and any
necessary bearings, clean up the assorted fiddly drum brake bits, and
re-install the four rear drum brakes. (Need new wheel cylinders, stainless
flexible brake hose, still need a hard line between passenr rear wheel
cylinder and flexible hose). This is all stuff I can do on my own.
I will NOT be taking the front knuckles off currently. Once the rear brakes
are on, I am going to gamble that there's nothing overly wrong with the
fronts, and that they will get me the 30 miles to the new place without
incident or damage.
The CFO has spoken: The Barn Queen is the one she wants to keep, and wants
me to concentrate on that one instead of spreading myself and my meager
financial resources across two coaches, either one of which has a nigh-unto
limitless appetite for dollars.
Once the Palm Beach is at the new place next to the Royale, both coaches
will be jacked up, and the aluminum Eagles will be transferred to the Palm
Beach, and Johnny Bridges donor-16.5s will go on the Royale. At THIS point,
I'll get a mechanic to help me get the front knuckles off the Palm Beach,
and ship them to Chuck Boyd for bearing inspection/replacement and zerk
installation. While I'm waiting for the knuckles to come back, I'll drop
the fuel tanks on the Palm Beach and run new fuel lines, and re-install the
Power Drawer that was taken out in its entirety.
May as well do the belts and hoses as well at that time. Yeah, I'm going to
gamble that they'll last me 30 miles. It's rolling the dice, but I want to
get out of storage place ASAP... I have AAA RV Premiere and I'll be running
with the hatch off the engine so if anything fails, I'll know it
immediately, and get towed the rest of the way.
I may need to build some sort of ramp system for the new place. The slot
the Barn Queen will go into is on DEEP gravel (like six inches) and there's
a slope. I may be able to use that slope to my advantage, if I can build up
a ramp system. Would make dropping the tanks much easier, possibly the
re-installion of the Power Drawer as well.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #220307 is a reply to message #220299] |
Thu, 29 August 2013 09:27 |
|
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Robin,
Sounds OK to me, considering what I saw when removing the rear wheel bearings and general condition of the coach.
I was concerned about the front wheel bearings when water ran out of the driver side rear hubs. After you told me that the front
wheels / tires were on but the rear wheels / tires were removed and the brake drums were sitting on the ground my concern about
water in the front hubs diminished greatly. However, if the rear hubs were under water I don't understand why the passenger side
hubs didn't have water in them but the passenger side rear wheel cylinder was corroded solid under the dust boot.
I don't know if it is possible to hear bad front wheel bearings with no weight on them but you could try putting the trans in
neutral and spinning the tires after you remount the wheels.
By the way when you have the mobile mechanic help you remove the hubs and knuckles I would suggest you consider:
1) Have him check the upper and lower ball joints (if they were serviced for the 66K they're probably OK)
2) Removing both front axles; clean / check / re-grease the inner and outer CV joints with Synpower.
Reason: They have probably never been re-greased and the inner and outer boots are rubber and they're 30 plus years old.
Parts Required: 12 new bolts / grease / boots
3) Removing the upper and lower control arms and installing Urethane bushings in the lowers and offset rubber in the uppers.
When you do move to the new location make a engine hatch cover out of plywood and drill a hole in it for the remote fuel tank rather
than leave it wide open. Make sure the fuel line to the mechanical pump inlet is tied down and cannot get near anything that spins
or gets hot.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Robin Hood
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 7:59 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen
Ok, new plan.
I'm going to clean up the rear bearings and drums, replace seals and any
necessary bearings, clean up the assorted fiddly drum brake bits, and
re-install the four rear drum brakes. (Need new wheel cylinders, stainless
flexible brake hose, still need a hard line between passenr rear wheel
cylinder and flexible hose). This is all stuff I can do on my own.
I will NOT be taking the front knuckles off currently. Once the rear brakes
are on, I am going to gamble that there's nothing overly wrong with the
fronts, and that they will get me the 30 miles to the new place without
incident or damage.
The CFO has spoken: The Barn Queen is the one she wants to keep, and wants
me to concentrate on that one instead of spreading myself and my meager
financial resources across two coaches, either one of which has a nigh-unto
limitless appetite for dollars.
Once the Palm Beach is at the new place next to the Royale, both coaches
will be jacked up, and the aluminum Eagles will be transferred to the Palm
Beach, and Johnny Bridges donor-16.5s will go on the Royale. At THIS point,
I'll get a mechanic to help me get the front knuckles off the Palm Beach,
and ship them to Chuck Boyd for bearing inspection/replacement and zerk
installation. While I'm waiting for the knuckles to come back, I'll drop
the fuel tanks on the Palm Beach and run new fuel lines, and re-install the
Power Drawer that was taken out in its entirety.
May as well do the belts and hoses as well at that time. Yeah, I'm going to
gamble that they'll last me 30 miles. It's rolling the dice, but I want to
get out of storage place ASAP... I have AAA RV Premiere and I'll be running
with the hatch off the engine so if anything fails, I'll know it
immediately, and get towed the rest of the way.
I may need to build some sort of ramp system for the new place. The slot
the Barn Queen will go into is on DEEP gravel (like six inches) and there's
a slope. I may be able to use that slope to my advantage, if I can build up
a ramp system. Would make dropping the tanks much easier, possibly the
re-installion of the Power Drawer as well.
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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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] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #220310 is a reply to message #220307] |
Thu, 29 August 2013 09:55 |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Take a look at the first few photos in http://youtu.be/Gpl6F3oJX5g
Note the water outside the building... it's after no more than a good rain.
If there had ever been a hard rain or several days of rainy activity, I
could see there being water inside the barn. As for why the passenger sides
were good: note on of the pictures shows the passenger sice propped up on
an engine head being used as a jack stand, the passenger side rear wheels
are well off the ground (and note the wet spots on the floor, indicating
that the driver side is probably wetter. I'll look and see if I've got any
photos of the driver side, I suspect that the rear drums on the driver's
side were physically sitting on the concrete, so they could very well have
gotten flooded by just a few inches of water.
On Thu, Aug 29, 2013 at 9:27 AM, Rob Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:
> Robin,
>
> Sounds OK to me, considering what I saw when removing the rear wheel
> bearings and general condition of the coach.
>
> I was concerned about the front wheel bearings when water ran out of the
> driver side rear hubs. After you told me that the front
> wheels / tires were on but the rear wheels / tires were removed and the
> brake drums were sitting on the ground my concern about
> water in the front hubs diminished greatly. However, if the rear hubs were
> under water I don't understand why the passenger side
> hubs didn't have water in them but the passenger side rear wheel cylinder
> was corroded solid under the dust boot.
>
> I don't know if it is possible to hear bad front wheel bearings with no
> weight on them but you could try putting the trans in
> neutral and spinning the tires after you remount the wheels.
>
> By the way when you have the mobile mechanic help you remove the hubs and
> knuckles I would suggest you consider:
>
> 1) Have him check the upper and lower ball joints (if they were serviced
> for the 66K they're probably OK)
>
> 2) Removing both front axles; clean / check / re-grease the inner and
> outer CV joints with Synpower.
> Reason: They have probably never been re-greased and the inner and
> outer boots are rubber and they're 30 plus years old.
> Parts Required: 12 new bolts / grease / boots
>
> 3) Removing the upper and lower control arms and installing Urethane
> bushings in the lowers and offset rubber in the uppers.
>
> When you do move to the new location make a engine hatch cover out of
> plywood and drill a hole in it for the remote fuel tank rather
> than leave it wide open. Make sure the fuel line to the mechanical pump
> inlet is tied down and cannot get near anything that spins
> or gets hot.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:
> gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Robin Hood
> Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 7:59 AM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen
>
> Ok, new plan.
>
> I'm going to clean up the rear bearings and drums, replace seals and any
> necessary bearings, clean up the assorted fiddly drum brake bits, and
> re-install the four rear drum brakes. (Need new wheel cylinders, stainless
> flexible brake hose, still need a hard line between passenr rear wheel
> cylinder and flexible hose). This is all stuff I can do on my own.
>
> I will NOT be taking the front knuckles off currently. Once the rear brakes
> are on, I am going to gamble that there's nothing overly wrong with the
> fronts, and that they will get me the 30 miles to the new place without
> incident or damage.
>
> The CFO has spoken: The Barn Queen is the one she wants to keep, and wants
> me to concentrate on that one instead of spreading myself and my meager
> financial resources across two coaches, either one of which has a nigh-unto
> limitless appetite for dollars.
>
> Once the Palm Beach is at the new place next to the Royale, both coaches
> will be jacked up, and the aluminum Eagles will be transferred to the Palm
> Beach, and Johnny Bridges donor-16.5s will go on the Royale. At THIS point,
> I'll get a mechanic to help me get the front knuckles off the Palm Beach,
> and ship them to Chuck Boyd for bearing inspection/replacement and zerk
> installation. While I'm waiting for the knuckles to come back, I'll drop
> the fuel tanks on the Palm Beach and run new fuel lines, and re-install the
> Power Drawer that was taken out in its entirety.
>
> May as well do the belts and hoses as well at that time. Yeah, I'm going to
> gamble that they'll last me 30 miles. It's rolling the dice, but I want to
> get out of storage place ASAP... I have AAA RV Premiere and I'll be running
> with the hatch off the engine so if anything fails, I'll know it
> immediately, and get towed the rest of the way.
>
> I may need to build some sort of ramp system for the new place. The slot
> the Barn Queen will go into is on DEEP gravel (like six inches) and there's
> a slope. I may be able to use that slope to my advantage, if I can build up
> a ramp system. Would make dropping the tanks much easier, possibly the
> re-installion of the Power Drawer as well.
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
--
Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2013 Subaru Outback "Top Flight"
1968 Pontiac Catalina "The Cheshire Cat"
1978 GMC Royale motorhome "Pinto Bean"
1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome "Barn Queen"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #220317 is a reply to message #220299] |
Thu, 29 August 2013 10:59 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
|
Senior Member |
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| Robin Hood wrote on Thu, 29 August 2013 07:58 |
...Once the rear brakes are on, I am going to gamble that there's nothing overly wrong with the fronts, and that they will get me the 30 miles to the new place without incident or damage.
...
I'm going to gamble that they'll last me 30 miles.
|
Not really much of a gamble as far as moving it that far. If there is something seriously wrong with them, or they are completely devoid of grease, there is a chance that the 30 mile trip will ruin them beyond repair, but they will roll that 30 miles without falling off. Chances are, they are fine, or not, and that 30 miles won't have any measurable effect on their current condition.
Drive on.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes on the Barn Queen [message #220385 is a reply to message #220317] |
Thu, 29 August 2013 18:21 |
|
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
|
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A,
I was there when Robin disassembled the middle and rear wheel bearings on the driver's side and I doubt the rear bearing would have
made it 30 miles without TOTAL failure with a possible loss of the wheel. I cut the inner race off as it rusted solid to the
spindle. It did not have any bearing surface left; it felt like 40 grit sandpaper!
Robin, please clean all the crap off that race and post a photo to the photo site.
I am cautiously optimistic that the driver side front wheel bearing will be OK as I doubt it was under water; that's why I suggested
Robin spin the wheels and listen for any grinding.
I realize it could also be the outer, inner, or final drive.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: A.
Not really much of a gamble as far as moving it that far. If there is something seriously wrong with them, or they are completely
devoid of grease, there is a chance that the 30 mile trip will ruin them beyond repair, but they will roll that 30 miles without
falling off. Chances are, they are fine, or not, and that 30 miles won't have any measurable effect on their current condition.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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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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