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96 XL40 CC with IFS Tie Rod Lengths
Just in case someone here might be in the know. One of the things I’m doing during my rebuild of the front end of my bus is to replace the tie rods, left, right, and center.
In the manual it refers you to the end of section 16 for a supplement on independent front suspension converted coach shell. In that supplemental section there’s some preliminary tie rod length settings shown. Preliminary lengths, not to substitute for an alignment.
The drawing shows center tie rod at 22 13/32 which is good because the non-adjustable center tie rod shipped from Prevost measures exactly 22 13/32. My old one, although adjustable, came off the bus very close to the same… 22-13/32″.
There’s dimensions there also shown of 28-55/64 for the left and right tie rods. The rods that I removed from my bus measure closer to 25-3/8” each, a substantial difference in measurement.
Measurements are taken center to center of the shaft. I plan to adjust new tie rods the same length as the ones I removed in order to drive the bus about 5 miles to get the alignment but I’m still curious if maybe I’m looking at the wrong drawing? Or if there’s something maybe different about mine being VERY early to the start of IFS?
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11 Replies
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I thought IFS did not come out till 97 shell? My 97 Royale – 96 XL40 shell has straight front axle , George has a 98 Royale-97 XL45 shell with IFS ??
1999 XLV X-6872, liberty #440 -
John L.-
I also have a late model ’96 with IFS. I am curious as to the mileage you have on your bus? And if the tie rods were bad, or is this preventative maintainance?
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Hi Luc, I have about 150,000 miles on mine right now. About 60,000 of that are my own thus far. I had two bad tie rod ends, both outermost. I elected to go ahead and replace left, right, and center because I dont wanna get back under there for a while.
My air bags were originals, not leaking but they were looking pretty dry, and they havent lifted the front much above ride height without a struggle since I’ve had it. I am installing a new set of 630151 bags and am most anxious to see what they do in that regard.
With it torn down to the extent i am at, I am also going forward with Sway bar main bushings, dog bone bushings, shocks, front brake pads, pins, boots, brake hoses, all new lugs and nuts, a new front wheel (didnt like how the old nuts were digging into my one original), drag link, and drag link boot. It doesn’t necessarily NEED all of this right now but its all aging out and I want to take care of things, on my own while I still can.
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Hi John-
Wow! that sounds like quite a project, but once you’re in that deep, might as well make it all like new again, it will be worth it. Something tells me you love your bus! Mine is also has the original air bags and shocks and I want to change them out. I Hope you can post some more progress photos as you work your way through the project. Best!
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The front and tag air bags should be 630259 (Mae West) bags. Can you see what’s on the coach now?
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Bill the 259’s are the ones that allow straight axle coaches (like mine) to raise the front easier. Are the IFS using the same bags?
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That is my understanding and that’s what I hope was just installed on the front of my coach by Prevost in Dallas. That’s what I requested and the front end lifts very nicely but the invoice does not show the air bag model #.
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I had read all of the mae west discussions and was only left a little confused. I’m thinking it is only regarding the straight axle busses, but I may be wrong. Anyway, Prevost sold me the 630151 for the front independent suspension. They did mention that these also lift the heavy converted shells better than the original bags did. I will soon know if theres a difference.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
John-
I’m wondering how your front end rebuild is coming along, and if it is about what you expected in terms of time and effort?
I took my bus to Prevost to have the airbags and shocks replaced, due to my current situation, lack of tools and a place to work on the bus. While walking around under the bus the mechanic showed me other things that need attention. A- arms, (bushings starting to protrude), same with the sway bar bushings, and the steering arms boots were ruptured (leaking grease) and 2 of them had some play as well. Looking at 6K+ just for the labor cost
Soooo… I’m considering doing the work myself. For 6K+ I could replace most of my tools, and if my friend will let me use his place to do the work. I’ve done front end work on trucks, but nothing quite this size. So really wondering what your experience has been?
thanks
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If you are near Nashville Prevost, just around the corner is Bus 4 Sale. They will do the exact same high quality work as Prevost for less than 1/2 what Prevost charges. Just a thought.
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Bill-
Wish I was closer, seems like there is a lot of great service options in that part of the country. I’m on the west coast, right now, the fuel cost to get there would sink the ship.
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