| [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143529] |
Thu, 15 September 2011 21:24  |
bdub
Messages: 1578
Registered: February 2004
Location: Central Texas
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Now that my coach body is at least 1/2" higher than it was, the
Ragussa step looks like it is pointed skyward to some extent. What
have some of you done about that problem?
Thaniks
bdub
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'76 Palm Beach/Central Texas
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143532 is a reply to message #143529] |
Thu, 15 September 2011 21:46  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
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| bdub wrote on Thu, 15 September 2011 19:24 |
Now that my coach body is at least 1/2" higher than it was, the
Ragussa step looks like it is pointed skyward to some extent. What
have some of you done about that problem?
Thaniks
bdub
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Interesting question Billy. I just went out and looked at the way mine is mounted and the only solution I can come up with would be longer bolts and some kind of fabricated spacers (hard rubber???) to lower the mount to the body. There would seem to be no way to change the way the step is mounted to the frame.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143535 is a reply to message #143532] |
Thu, 15 September 2011 22:13 |
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That's my only solution also. I find it strange that I've never heard
this mentioned before.
Also, the mounting of the Ragusa step instructs you to drill an
attachment hole through the lower flange of the main frame channel. I
did that but now that I know what do from listening to Ken H. do not
want to enlarge it to make it line up again. In fact, if I cannot
re-use that original sin I'll devise a clamp for the backside of the
step.
Hope my spacers don't look too shabby by that nice step.
bdub
On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 9:46 PM, Carl Stouffer <carljr3b@yahoo.com> wrote:
Interesting question Billy. I just went out and looked at the way
mine is mounted and the only solution I can come up with would be
longer bolts and some kind of fabricated spacers (hard rubber???) to
lower the mount to the body. There would seem to be no way to change
the way the step is mounted to the frame.
> bdub wrote on Thu, 15 September 2011 19:24
>> Now that my coach body is at least 1/2" higher than it was, the
>> Ragussa step looks like it is pointed skyward to some extent. What
>> have some of you done about that problem?>
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143536 is a reply to message #143529] |
Thu, 15 September 2011 22:26 |
larry.whisler
Messages: 356
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 8
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Billy,
Did you unbolt/remove the step before raising the body off of the frame?
I dont recall anyone having this problem.
It's been a while since I did mine and my existng pads were either pancake flat or missing. After installing the new pads, the coach was consideerably higher.
I'll look under the coach at the step tomorrow.
larry
[Updated on: Thu, 15 September 2011 22:27] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143543 is a reply to message #143529] |
Fri, 16 September 2011 07:58 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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When installing the body pads, the Ragusa step should be removed. After finishing the pad installation you re-install the step. The biggest problem with the step is that one half of the step is attached to the body and the other half is installed to the frame. The body does flex / move on the frame so one set of the step should allowed to move slightly.
Since all of the weight when people step on the step is suspended by the two bolts attached to the body, I decided these should be tight while the inside bolts attached to the frame should be allowed to move.
The solution was to fashion two spacers out of the thin hold down body pad. I never replace these because old ones are fine because they never have any weight on them. You could also use the old removed hold down pad for spacer material. The second thing I do is to enlarge the FRAME holes and install a thin rubber washer between the step and the frame. I install the frame bolts loosely and use nuts with a nylon locks built in.
The above solution will allow the step to ride slightly lower and allow it to move slightly as the body moves around on the frame.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143544 is a reply to message #143536] |
Fri, 16 September 2011 07:59 |
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Yes, I took the step off prior to raising the coach. Now the holes won't
line up because of the angle involved.
You shouldn't have to look under the coach as the step will be tilting
upward from the door.
It might not be as bad as it looks now. I've still got the coach 18" up on
jackstands with the tanks out so haven't seen it on the ground yet. I'll
know for sure in a couple of weeks when I get it down on its own.
-----Original Message-----
From:] On Behalf Of larry.whisler
Did you unbolt/remove the step before raising the body off of the frame?
I dont recall anyone having this problem.
It's been a while since I did mine and my existng pads were either pancake
flat or missing. After installing the new pads, the coach was consideerably
higher.
I'll look under the coach tomorrow at the step.
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bdub
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143545 is a reply to message #143542] |
Fri, 16 September 2011 08:10 |
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I think I might cut the arms off of the step right before they go under the
frame. Fabricate an angle iron bracket to bolt to the channel web. Clamp
the leg to that bracket. This would eliminate the need for another hole in
the flange and give me an adjustable elevation (by slotting the attachment
hole) to make the step level.
bdub
-----Original Message-----
From: On Behalf Of Bruce Hislop
I unbolted mine from the frame before replacing the spacers and loosened the
bolts holding it to the body. I snugged the bolts to the body just beyond
finger tight, but the holes to the frame no longer line up. I haven't
drilled new holes yet in the frame, but when I do I'll likely finger tighten
and double nut.
Before I'd say the step tilted down a tad, now I would say its tilted up a
tad, but nothing anyone would notice.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143546 is a reply to message #143543] |
Fri, 16 September 2011 08:24 |
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That'll work, Ken. I've still got those "hold down" pads, too, as I saw no
need to replace them.
I still wish I hadn't drilled those holes in that flange, though, and do not
want to make them any larger. Could, however, use a 1/4" bolt in lieu of
the 5/16" for a little slack. Flat washers and a locknut and I'll be in
business.
Thanks
bdub
-----Original Message-----
From: On Behalf Of Ken Burton
When installing the body pads, the Ragusa step should be removed. After
finishing the pad installation you re-install the step. The biggest problem
with the step is that one half of the step is attached to the body and the
other half is installed to the frame. The body does flex / move on the
frame so one set of the step should allowed to move slightly.
Since all of the weight when people step on the step is suspended by the two
bolts attached to the body, I decided these should be tight while the inside
bolts attached to the frame should be allowed to move.
The solution was to fashion two spacers out of the thin hold down body pad.
I never replace these because old ones are fine because they never have any
weight on them. You could also use the old removed hold down pad for spacer
material. The second thing I do is to enlarge the FRAME holes and install a
thin rubber washer between the step and the frame. I install the frame
bolts loosely and use nuts with a nylon locks built in.
The above solution will allow the step to ride slightly lower and allow it
to move slightly as the body moves around on the frame.
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bdub
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143566 is a reply to message #143546] |
Fri, 16 September 2011 10:43 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I used a rubber flat washer rather than steel ones to keep the step from rattling because the rear bolts were slightly loose.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143577 is a reply to message #143569] |
Fri, 16 September 2011 12:14 |
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Why did this come up at Goshen? Am I not the first?
-----Original Message-----
From: On Behalf Of Dan Gregg
What Ken says is what I was told, at Goshen, by someone who has done a bunch
of steps.
Ken Burton wrote on Fri, 16 September 2011 10:43
> I used a rubber flat washer rather than steel ones to keep the step from
rattling because the rear bolts were slightly loose.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143580 is a reply to message #143577] |
Fri, 16 September 2011 12:31 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I have done this to several steps on several coaches including mine. I have always done it because I did not like the way it fit and moved around while going down the road.
You are definitely not the first.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143584 is a reply to message #143529] |
Fri, 16 September 2011 14:45 |
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I'm speaking of the fact that the step slopes upward after installing thicker body pads. I have never heard this mentioned before.
I have never seen a Ragusa step move around either.
bdub
-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net>
I have done this to several steps on several coaches including mine. I have always done it because I did not like the way it fit and moved around while going down the road.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Body Spacers [message #143588 is a reply to message #143584] |
Fri, 16 September 2011 15:27 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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If you want to see where the step moves around, just look at the wear spots in the body paint where the step is bolted to the body.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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