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Relay arm/lever options [message #256234]

Wed, 23 July 2014 10:59

Donovan-formerly Jase386

Messages: 139
Registered: January 2009
Location: Greenville SC

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Its that time on my coach to start shopping for a relay arm. As I understand it, there are several GMC sources for relay arms and I have also heard talk of a relay arm that is not quite the same but works. Could someone tell me what the other relay arm is off of so I can do a little research on my own before I decide which to go with?

Donovan, Greenville SC 1975 Eleganza II 81,500 miles

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Re: Relay arm/lever options [message #256237 is a reply to message #256234]

Wed, 23 July 2014 11:08

Keith V

Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Dave Lenzi is the answer to any steering question Smile

Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com

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Re: Relay arm/lever options [message #256243 is a reply to message #256234]

Wed, 23 July 2014 11:43

habbyguy

Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ

Karma: 3

Senior Member

I researched the options when my own relay arm was causing a lot of play in my steering. I looked at trying to mess around with pressing in new bushings, but there were just too many variables and potential pitfalls to make it worth pursuing. I ended up just ordering a new relay arm from Lenzi and my coach steers like a new one now. Money well spent, IMHO (and I'm as cheap as they come!).

Mark Hickey Mesa, AZ 1978 Royale Center Kitchen

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Re: Relay arm/lever options [message #256247 is a reply to message #256234]

Wed, 23 July 2014 11:45

Bullitthead

Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013

Karma: 5

Senior Member

Got mine from Rare Parts. Must not have been off because the steering wheel is at the same angle as before. Cost less than others, did not include the sleeve on the bolt and mine did not need it as that was not worn. It is made of a harder material than the bushing in the relay arm.

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.

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Re: [GMCnet] Relay arm/lever options [message #256256 is a reply to message #256247]

Wed, 23 July 2014 13:14

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Terry,

Dave Lenzi's relay lever and idler arms cost more than those from any other manufacturer / rebuilder because he replaces the rubber
/ plastic socket in the relay lever with a precision bronze bushing and a grease nipple. The pivot point receives similar treatment.

The rubber / plastic bushing in the idler arm receives the same treatment. This leaves only one flexible joint in the steering
linkage which is the sleeve that surrounds the idler arm to frame bolt.

Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Terry
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 11:46 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Relay arm/lever options

Got mine from Rare Parts. Must not have been off because the steering wheel is at the same angle as before. Cost less than others,
did not include the sleeve on the bolt and mine did not need it as that was not worn. It is made of a harder material than the
bushing in the relay arm.
--
Terry Kelpien

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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] Relay arm/lever options [message #256339 is a reply to message #256256]

Thu, 24 July 2014 00:27

Bullitthead

Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013

Karma: 5

Senior Member

Rob,
Rare Parts must have gotten mine from Lenzi, remade exactly as you describe. I did not find Lenzi's when I was searching for mine, and I really had to search for that FN thing...the only others I found were at Applied and some other place I can't remember the name of. The big price difference was in the core charge, the arm was still THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY somethin' dollars Crying or Very Sad

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.

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Re: [GMCnet] Relay arm/lever options [message #256341 is a reply to message #256247]

Thu, 24 July 2014 00:48

Ken Henderson

Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA

Karma: 9

Senior Member

Terry,

You need to come to GMCMI Chippewa Falls. Alex Farrara is going to give a
seminar on how to correct that problem (and others you don't know you have)
with your steering. You'll enjoy the drive home. :-)

Ken H.

On Wed, Jul 23, 2014 at 12:45 PM, Terry wrote:

> ...
> Must not have been off because the steering wheel is at the same angle as
> before.
> ..
>
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Ken Henderson
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www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach

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Re: [GMCnet] Relay arm/lever options [message #256342 is a reply to message #256341]

Thu, 24 July 2014 02:44

Bullitthead

Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013

Karma: 5

Senior Member

Ken,
I have really given that some thought over the past few days. I am doing my own front end alignment/correction to get the steering wheel straight and reduce the wander. I am very close now, just by finding and replacing the worn out relay arm and adjusting the steering box to get the play out of the system and yesterday adjusting the tie rod ends to center the steering wheel. I have a lot of old tricks and tools up my sleeve and I'll bet I've used 90% of them on this coach. It was all over the road with 90 degrees of steering wheel play when I got it and lots of fun to drive that humpback Route 58 back from Danville!

I've read about Alex's talent on Facebook and the GMCers he's helped with the front end. I want to get up there to see him but first I have to get it driveable without the white knuckles. I'm sure Alex knows his stuff and that's why I'm anxious to get up there and watch and maybe help him do a coach or 2.

I really don't trust any alignment shop around here and never let anybody else work on my toys unless I'm right there watching...and sometimes even that has put me under the hood at the gas station at 2 in the morning or made me have to find a ride home from where the Doofus broke a shackle bolt and disabled my car. Know what I mean?

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.

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Re: [GMCnet] Relay arm/lever options [message #256358 is a reply to message #256342]

Thu, 24 July 2014 09:27

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Terry,

Just wondering if you ever used the procedure I put together to try and find the problems?

http://www.gmceast.com/technical/Mueller_Steering_Inspection_Guide.pdf

That document reflects a LOT of stuff I learned from a LOT of GMCer's that have a hell of a lot more direct GMC experience than I
have!

Here's a link to Dave Lenzi's parts, you might want to consider purchasing his idler arm as well:

http://www.bdub.net/lenzi/index.html

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428

-----Original Message-----
From: Terry

Ken,
I have really given that some thought over the past few days. I am doing my own front end alignment/correction to get the steering
wheel straight and reduce the wander. I am very close now, just by finding and replacing the worn out relay arm and adjusting the
steering box to get the play out of the system and yesterday adjusting the tie rod ends to center the steering wheel. I have a lot
of old tricks and tools up my sleeve and I'll bet I've used 90% of them on this coach. It was all over the road with 90 degrees of
steering wheel play when I got it and lots of fun to drive that humpback Route 58 back from Danville!

I've read about Alex's talent on Facebook and the GMCers he's helped with the front end. I want to get up there to see him but first
I have to get it driveable without the white knuckles. I'm sure Alex knows his stuff and that's why I'm anxious to get up there and
watch and maybe help him do a coach or 2.

I really don't trust any alignment shop around here and never let anybody else work on my toys unless I'm right there watching...and
sometimes even that has put me under the hood at the gas station at 2 in the morning or made me have to find a ride home from where
the Doofus broke a shackle bolt and disabled my car. Know what I mean?

Terry Kelpien
ASE M

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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] Relay arm/lever options [message #256456 is a reply to message #256358]

Thu, 24 July 2014 23:16

Bullitthead

Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013

Karma: 5

Senior Member

Thanks for the links Rob, I stored them for the future. I read your guide awhile back, but I'm way past that now, passing through the "Alignment by Feel" stage to fine tune the steering and ride of the coach to the point where I like it and it is rolling freely and square down the road.
I always had to tweak the adjustments after an alignment on the machine at the last place I worked. Everybody else that used the machine also got the same results on all vehicles so I was the lucky one to get the steering wheel centered after they came back from the test ride. And of course I got no labor credit for those alignments.

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.

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