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| [GMCnet] Exhaust Woes & FIxes [message #349626] |
Thu, 24 October 2019 20:01  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma:
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Some of you may remember that we spent weekend before last in Berea, KY
after breaking the right exhaust pipe just below the manifold while on the
way home from Mansfield. We were lucky to get some to repair the pipe
first thing on Monday morning. But, because the pipe was deteriorated
enough to need that repair, I couldn't trust it for much longer.
So, on Monday, Lou Boone came down for a work session. We pulled the old
pipe, flex coupling, and muffler to take them to the nearest muffler shop.
That was merely to convince the owner that, since I have a much better
place to work on a motorhome than he does, he'd have to come to our house
to figure out what to bend. After looking at the old pipe (which wasn't
very nicely shaped), he prepared 3 different flared ends and 3 pipes with
different bends for us to try. After determining that he had neither the
new SS muffler nor the flex coupling I wanted, and that I could get them
more quickly via Amazon that he could get them in tomorrow's delivery, Lou
and I took the samples home to try. We figured out how to modify one of
the flares and two of the pipes to reach where we expected the coupling and
muffler to wind up. After about 5 trips back for adjustments (only 3/4
mile away), we had a pretty nice looking exhaust pipe in 3 pieces.
While waiting for the Amazon delivery on Tuesday, we roared my GMC off the
pit and put Lou's on. On the way home from Mansfield, he'd had to replace
a split CV boot one of those bolt-on affairs. It was leaking only a
little, but he likes things RIGHT, so we pulled the axle and replaced the
boot with one I had on hand.
For those who wonder if, or doubt that, an axle shaft can be removed
without difficulty, YES, it can. The shock absorber must be removed, and,
if gas-filled, can be a little difficult to compress back into its mounting
position. The big axle nut must be removed, of course, as must the 6 inner
CV-to-Drive Flange bolts. Working on the left axle, the steering must be
turned ALL the way to the right, and the inner CV moved up and forward to
above the final drive. The outer stub axle can then be slid out of the
splined hub. Lou's spline was so tight that I had to use a long brass
drift to tap the stub out. Reinstallation is simply the opposite of
removal. Working on the other, passenger side is just the same, except
there's no final drive in the way. Despite rumors, it is NOT necessary to
remove the oil filter.
To fill some of the awaiting-delivery time, Lou and I worked on another
project I've had pending: The Honda Odyssey seats in my cockpit are too
high when mounted on their full-motion electric bases. I'd recently
figured out a way to modify the seats and their mounting to lower them
1-1/2", to a MUCH more comfortable height. By visiting my friend at the
machine shop, we were able to acquire two custom 2"x2"x1/2"X15" Z-members.
After taking a cutting wheel to the base of the seat, we could attach those
members in such a way as to lower the seat around the electric bases.
After the usual surprises, "it won't work that ways", and "oh-my-goshes" we
finally got it back together today. The driver's seat is MUCH more
comfortable ('Though I still wouldn't drive to Mansfield and back again
without cruise control as I did this time!). HER seat will get the
treatment when I find that round tuit.
By late yesterday both the new muffler and flex coupling had arrived so
today we did final fitting and with only a couple more trips to the shop
for tweaking of curves and swages, we magic-marked all the junctions for
engagement and alignment. A final trip to the shop for welding (I never do
more than tack weld things -- I just ain't much good at it) resulted in a
really nice installation. Two band clamps seal every thing up nicely and
make it feasible to do future repairs. Our stethoscopes didn't find but
one tiny puff -- Lou could even hear it.
It's GREAT to have friends like Lou who show up when I'm in a bind. What
took us four days would have probably taken me the entire 3 weeks I had
between GMC events -- or longer. And my old body might not have survived!
:-) Thanks a bunch, Lou (and others from other visits).
Ken (Rolling Quietly Again) H.
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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