Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Governor gear trouble
| Governor gear trouble [message #255619] |
Wed, 16 July 2014 15:49  |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Hello all,
While on a trip about 250 miles from home this weekend, we ran in to the transmission issue where our speedometer completely quit on us, and the transmission will refuse to shift past 1st gear. As we've read here before, it could be that the governor gear is worn out. However, another thing (that may be related?) is that the speedo jumps most around most of the time and has been that way ever since we bought the coach 2 years ago; once in a while it will smooth out but 80% of the time it jumps around. We checked the speedo cables last fall and gave them all a little bit of all purpose grease but took care not to put very much in them just enough to lightly lube them. At the time they appeared fine and turned easily and looked like the previous owner had oiled them also. Around the same time we had the coach at a local shop and asked them to check the governor gear, and they swore that the governor gear was fine so we let things go assuming that it was OK.
First question for you guys: How quickly should the governor gear wear out (assuming it is in "good shape", or new)?
Second question: What is the proper way to access it and replace the governor gear? We attempted to find it as we had a spare on board, however ended up having to drive the coach to a shop at our destination and leave it there for them to look at. I believe we had the governor partially lifted out of the transmission housing, however the clip that normally holds it in place would not move aside enough and we had some hangup where we could not remove the governor assembly entirely to try and locate the governor gear itself. Eventually we put it back and clipped it back in so as not to do further damage or get any dirt in to that area of the transmission, etc.
Just waiting for the shop to let us know what they find, but trying to learn more about this problem in case it happens to us again in the future.
Thank you very much as always!
Mickey
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
[Updated on: Wed, 16 July 2014 15:52] Report message to a moderator |
|
|
|
| Re: Governor gear trouble [message #255632 is a reply to message #255619] |
Wed, 16 July 2014 16:54  |
 |
wally
Messages: 643
Registered: August 2004
Location: Omaha Nebraska
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
|
mickey szilagyi wrote on Wed, 16 July 2014 15:49Hello all,
While on a trip about 250 miles from home this weekend, we ran in to the transmission issue where our speedometer completely quit on us, and the transmission will refuse to shift past 1st gear. As we've read here before, it could be that the governor gear is worn out. However, another thing (that may be related?) is that the speedo jumps most around most of the time and has been that way ever since we bought the coach 2 years ago; once in a while it will smooth out but 80% of the time it jumps around. We checked the speedo cables last fall and gave them all a little bit of all purpose grease but took care not to put very much in them just enough to lightly lube them. At the time they appeared fine and turned easily and looked like the previous owner had oiled them also. Around the same time we had the coach at a local shop and asked them to check the governor gear, and they swore that the governor gear was fine so we let things go assuming that it was OK.
First question for you guys: How quickly should the governor gear wear out (assuming it is in "good shape", or new)?
Second question: What is the proper way to access it and replace the governor gear? We attempted to find it as we had a spare on board, however ended up having to drive the coach to a shop at our destination and leave it there for them to look at. I believe we had the governor partially lifted out of the transmission housing, however the clip that normally holds it in place would not move aside enough and we had some hangup where we could not remove the governor assembly entirely to try and locate the governor gear itself. Eventually we put it back and clipped it back in so as not to do further damage or get any dirt in to that area of the transmission, etc.
Just waiting for the shop to let us know what they find, but trying to learn more about this problem in case it happens to us again in the future.
Thank you very much as always!
Mickey
You might try flipping the bail off the governor the other way to get more clearance. Please be carefull installing the new gear as the yoke inside can get bent or loosened where it is swaged on the shaft. Here is what it looks like inside.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/governor-fail-fix-and-mods/p33959-transmission-governor.html
HTH
Wally Anderson
Omaha NE
75 Glenbrook
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Governor gear trouble [message #255638 is a reply to message #255632] |
Wed, 16 July 2014 17:25 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Wally
I can't remember when I've seen so much info/research on a part!
Excellent work Sir !
Thanks
Mike
On Wed, Jul 16, 2014 at 6:54 PM, Wally Anderson
wrote:
> mickey szilagyi wrote on Wed, 16 July 2014 15:49
>> Hello all,
>>
>> While on a trip about 250 miles from home this weekend, we ran in to the
> transmission issue where our speedometer completely quit on us, and the
>> transmission will refuse to shift past 1st gear. As we've read here
> before, it could be that the governor gear is worn out. However, another
> thing
>> (that may be related?) is that the speedo jumps most around most of the
> time and has been that way ever since we bought the coach 2 years ago; once
>> in a while it will smooth out but 80% of the time it jumps around. We
> checked the speedo cables last fall and gave them all a little bit of all
>> purpose grease but took care not to put very much in them just enough to
> lightly lube them. At the time they appeared fine and turned easily and
>> looked like the previous owner had oiled them also. Around the same
> time we had the coach at a local shop and asked them to check the governor
>> gear, and they swore that the governor gear was fine so we let things go
> assuming that it was OK.
>>
>> First question for you guys: How quickly should the governor gear wear
> out (assuming it is in "good shape", or new)?
>>
>> Second question: What is the proper way to access it and replace the
> governor gear? We attempted to find it as we had a spare on board, however
>> ended up having to drive the coach to a shop at our destination and
> leave it there for them to look at. I believe we had the governor partially
>> lifted out of the transmission housing, however the clip that normally
> holds it in place would not move aside enough and we had some hangup where
> we
>> could not remove the governor assembly entirely to try and locate the
> governor gear itself. Eventually we put it back and clipped it back in so
> as
>> not to do further damage or get any dirt in to that area of the
> transmission, etc.
>>
>> Just waiting for the shop to let us know what they find, but trying to
> learn more about this problem in case it happens to us again in the future.
>>
>>
>> Thank you very much as always!
>>
>> Mickey
>
> You might try flipping the bail off the governor the other way to get more
> clearance. Please be carefull installing the new gear as the yoke inside
> can get bent or loosened where it is swaged on the shaft. Here is what it
> looks like inside.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/governor-fail-fix-and-mods/p33959-transmission-governor.html
>
> HTH
> --
> Wally Anderson
> 1975 Glenbrook
> Megasquirt 455 port injection science project
> Omaha Nebraska
> Greater Midwest Classics
> GMCES
> http://wallyandsue.blogspot.com/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
* This is my second trip through the 60's; the first time the drugs were
better !
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
| Re: Governor gear trouble [message #255639 is a reply to message #255635] |
Wed, 16 July 2014 17:41 |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
WD0AFQ wrote on Wed, 16 July 2014 17:19Do you have headers? If so you will need to remove that one. I find removing the header a simple 10 minute task but some complain. I hear there is now a header that does not need to be removed.
Also, after helping a friend repair one on the side of the road, I decided that a spare governor is much better to carry. That makes it "plug n play" and back on the road. Removing the old broken gear can be a real headache on the side of the road.
My friend Wally, who commented above, repairs governors. He had a spare and gave it to me, as he has done on several parts. Now, I would not leave home without a complete spare governor. Think I have four gears so I can help someone if need be.
Dan
We have the original 403, no modifications. We would have had clearance to get the governor out but were having issues getting it to clear the clip and after fighting it we decided to stop.
Thank you Wally for the pics, now I can see we had the correct part if we could have only gotten it completely out. The other issue we had was the spare governor gear we had would have also needed the pin hole drilled out however we didn't have a drill handy on the side of the road.
Great information, thank you!!
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
[Updated on: Wed, 16 July 2014 17:42] Report message to a moderator |
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Governor gear trouble [message #255641 is a reply to message #255632] |
Wed, 16 July 2014 18:01 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
|
The quickest place to get the gear is call Jim B or Jim K and have them send you one in the mail. Actually get 2, one as a spare or like some of up do we carry a spare governor all set up.
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/721
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan
On Jul 16, 2014, at 5:54 PM, Wally Anderson wrote:
> mickey szilagyi wrote on Wed, 16 July 2014 15:49
>> Hello all,
>>
>> While on a trip about 250 miles from home this weekend, we ran in to the transmission issue where our speedometer completely quit on us, and the
>> transmission will refuse to shift past 1st gear. As we've read here before, it could be that the governor gear is worn out. However, another thing
>> (that may be related?) is that the speedo jumps most around most of the time and has been that way ever since we bought the coach 2 years ago; once
>> in a while it will smooth out but 80% of the time it jumps around. We checked the speedo cables last fall and gave them all a little bit of all
>> purpose grease but took care not to put very much in them just enough to lightly lube them. At the time they appeared fine and turned easily and
>> looked like the previous owner had oiled them also. Around the same time we had the coach at a local shop and asked them to check the governor
>> gear, and they swore that the governor gear was fine so we let things go assuming that it was OK.
>>
>> First question for you guys: How quickly should the governor gear wear out (assuming it is in "good shape", or new)?
>>
>> Second question: What is the proper way to access it and replace the governor gear? We attempted to find it as we had a spare on board, however
>> ended up having to drive the coach to a shop at our destination and leave it there for them to look at. I believe we had the governor partially
>> lifted out of the transmission housing, however the clip that normally holds it in place would not move aside enough and we had some hangup where we
>> could not remove the governor assembly entirely to try and locate the governor gear itself. Eventually we put it back and clipped it back in so as
>> not to do further damage or get any dirt in to that area of the transmission, etc.
>>
>> Just waiting for the shop to let us know what they find, but trying to learn more about this problem in case it happens to us again in the future.
>>
>>
>> Thank you very much as always!
>>
>> Mickey
>
> You might try flipping the bail off the governor the other way to get more clearance. Please be carefull installing the new gear as the yoke inside
> can get bent or loosened where it is swaged on the shaft. Here is what it looks like inside.
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/governor-fail-fix-and-mods/p33959-transmission-governor.html
>
> HTH
> --
> Wally Anderson
> 1975 Glenbrook
> Megasquirt 455 port injection science project
> Omaha Nebraska
> Greater Midwest Classics
> GMCES
> http://wallyandsue.blogspot.com/
> _______________________________________________
> 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
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Governor gear trouble [message #255642 is a reply to message #255639] |
Wed, 16 July 2014 18:11 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
|
Senior Member |
|
|
The speedometer cable is famous for taking out the governor gear. One of
the symptoms is an irregular reading or unsteady needle. The exhaust heat
melts the outer covering of the cable and binds up the inner cable. But do
what you like, it's a free country. But prepare to change lots of governor
gears.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403
On Jul 16, 2014 3:42 PM, "Mickey Szilagyi" wrote:
> WD0AFQ wrote on Wed, 16 July 2014 17:19
>> Do you have headers? If so you will need to remove that one. I find
> removing the header a simple 10 minute task but some complain. I hear there
> is
>> now a header that does not need to be removed.
>> Also, after helping a friend repair one on the side of the road, I
> decided that a spare governor is much better to carry. That makes it "plug n
>> play" and back on the road. Removing the old broken gear can be a real
> headache on the side of the road.
>> My friend Wally, who commented above, repairs governors. He had a spare
> and gave it to me, as he has done on several parts. Now, I would not leave
>> home without a complete spare governor. Think I have four gears so I can
> help someone if need be.
>> Dan
>
>
> We have the original 403, no modifications. We would have had clearance
> to get the governor out but were having issues getting it to clear the clip
> and after fighting it we decided to stop.
>
> Thank you Wally for the pics, now I can see we had the correct part if we
> could have only gotten it completely out. The other issue we had was the
> spare governor gear we had would have also needed the hole drilled out
> however we didn't have a drill handy on the side of the road.
>
> Great information, thank you!!
> --
> Mickey
> 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
> _______________________________________________
> 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
|
|
|
|
| Re: Governor gear trouble [message #255657 is a reply to message #255619] |
Wed, 16 July 2014 20:01 |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Jim - we had the coach serviced last fall and specifically asked them to check the governor gear. We supplied them with a new one in case it needed to be replaced. The speedometer had been bouncing since we got the coach - so for several hundred miles. They claimed the gear was fine last fall. We've driven the coach about 400 miles since last fall, the most recent our problem trip of 200 miles in one day. We lubed the speedometer cable and it seemed to turn freely. And same with the cable running from the cruise control. We can't figure out which cable or what is causing the speedometer to bounce. Now we're concerned that if another gear is put in place we'll have the same problem on the 200 mile trip back home. Is there a way to disable the speedometer and all the cables so that the gear doesn't get damaged?
Perhaps a stupid question but we're kind of in a bind and have to ask.
Thanks, as always,
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Governor gear trouble [message #255667 is a reply to message #255619] |
Wed, 16 July 2014 21:33 |
cbryan
Messages: 451
Registered: May 2012
Location: Ennis, Texas
Karma: 3
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Mickey,
I guess I have another armchair possibility. If your speedo cables are lubricated, check the cruise control transducer unit where the cables plug into, right behind the engine mounted to the step under the cover. The bearings caused speedometer jumping in my coach for a number of miles. Then it quit completely, but the governor gear was still good. I figured a bad cable. I took off the cables from each end of the cruise control sender and twisted the input shaft. No output and the bearings were sloppy. They can also seize. Easy to replace at your local auto parts store.
Of course, I am probably wrong again, but I didn't want you to lunch another gear without at least checking out that unit.
Good luck with your coach.
Carey
Carey from Ennis, Texas
78 Royale, 500 Cadillac, Rance Baxter EFI.
[Updated on: Thu, 17 July 2014 19:23] Report message to a moderator |
|
|
|
| Re: Governor gear trouble [message #255670 is a reply to message #255658] |
Wed, 16 July 2014 22:00 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
|
Senior Member |
|
|
WD0AFQ wrote on Wed, 16 July 2014 20:06Just unscrew the cable at the bottom if you are worried. I kinda doubt your mechanic replaced your gov gear 400 miles back, but maybe he did. Replace it now and you will be good to go. Otherwise, you ain't going anywhere.
I saw Jim K get a gear to a fellow in less than 18 hours. Maybe you have one.
Dan
As Dan stated, replace the gear and you will be able to drive the coach without the speedometer working. After that at your leisure you will need to fix the speedometer problem.
Governor gears do not wear out. They do break if something is binding on the other end of the cable, or if the cable rusts up inside, or if the outer shield gets damaged or is melted. The most common problem in this area is the cruise control transducer. It is also driven by the same speedometer cable and frequently binds up. It is possible to reroute the speedometer cable around the cruise control if necessary.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Governor gear trouble [message #255671 is a reply to message #255657] |
Wed, 16 July 2014 22:05 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Mickey, to get by, just disconnect the speedo cable at the transmission,
and use a GPS for temporary speedometer to get home with. Check to see if
the cable housing is somehow kinked, or if the cruise control housing is
bad, and perhaps binding the cable some way.
Jim Hupy
Salem , Oregon
On Jul 16, 2014 6:01 PM, "Mickey Szilagyi" wrote:
> Jim - we had the coach serviced last fall and specifically asked them to
> check the governor gear. We supplied them with a new one in case it needed
> to be replaced. The speedometer had been bouncing since we got the coach
> - so for several hundred miles. They claimed the gear was fine last fall.
> We've driven the coach about 400 miles since last fall, the most recent
> our problem trip of 200 miles in one day. We lubed the speedometer cable
> and
> it seemed to turn freely. And same with the cable running from the cruise
> control. We can't figure out which cable or what is causing the
> speedometer to bounce. Now we're concerned that if another gear is put in
> place we'll have the same problem on the 200 mile trip back home. Is there
> a way to disable the speedometer and all the cables so that the gear
> doesn't get damaged?
>
> Perhaps a stupid question but we're kind of in a bind and have to ask.
>
> Thanks, as always,
> --
> Mickey
> 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
> _______________________________________________
> 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Governor gear trouble [message #255736 is a reply to message #255619] |
Thu, 17 July 2014 18:50 |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Update on governor gear - Can't tell you all how much we appreciate your input on this latest problem we're having. We've been reading the forum for almost two years now and are well aware of the governor gear problem. We learned today, 7/17, that the governor gear has been replaced in our coach and is now working. The coach is shifting through the gears again. You've indicated we can disconnect the speedo cable down at the transmission which we will do on our 200 mile trip home which is great as we don't want the new gear to turn out like its predecessor. Once home we are going to figure out what is causing the speedo to bounce. Our cruise control has never worked but was still connected between the speedo and transmission.
Question: Can the cable that runs from the speedo to the cruise control be used to connect directly to the transmission by the governor gear basically bypassing the cruise control or is that a different cable or length of cable. We'd like to start by eliminating the cruise control and see if the speedo works properly. If not we will then replace the cable(s).
Last year we installed the 3.70 final drive and limited slip (403 engine) and put in the reducer that was supposed to adjust the ratio so the speedo would display the correct speed. It reads 5-7 mph too low. So we are thinking of taking it out to see if the reading would be closer to actual mph. Or it could make the reading 10-14 mph too low. Not sure which way that will go. We also put on American Eagle aluminum wheels with Michelin 225/75 load E tires. Everything but the tires came from Applied.
Any comments on what we'd like to do here to fix the speedo problem and speedo accuracy is appreciated.
Many thanks to all of you.
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
[Updated on: Thu, 17 July 2014 18:53] Report message to a moderator |
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Governor gear trouble [message #255746 is a reply to message #255619] |
Thu, 17 July 2014 19:54 |
lotsofspareparts
Messages: 726
Registered: May 2014
Location: Arlington, WA
Karma: -9
|
Senior Member |
|
|
As Willie Nelson once said, "On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again"...
Everybody who reads this will hum it or sing it twice before the night is over.
Glad to hear you folks are back on the road. I use a speedometer app on my phone for my little V8 S10 pickup that works great and it has a "HUD" setting that allows you to put it on the dash and see your speed on the windshield.
Jared
Jared & Tina Lazaron + 14yr old Daughter.....
77 Eleganza II "Recherché".....
73 Canyon Lands 230 "Elephant"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goto Forum:
Current Time: Tue Sep 24 12:25:46 CDT 2024
Total time taken to generate the page: 0.00926 seconds
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
