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I’m exhausted
I awoke at 0430 this morning to drive home after working on the bus for a week. In my mind I had 4 days planned, but it took 6, and could have been 7 if I hadn’t decided to leave two Norgrens for the guys at Prevost Jax.
We changed oil and filters, antifreeze and filters, and fuel filters for the bus and generator, 6 of 8 airbags (the front two were impossible to remove-also going to Jax), 3 mini airbags, a serpentine belt, lubed everything including at least one fitting that hadn’t been done since new, 5 Norgrens, ride height valves all around, and the air dryer cartridge, along with every fitting we could get to and at least one f*in screw who’s head broke off.
I lost about 6 gallons of antifreeze, a quart of oil and diesel, and a pint of blood in Jon’s pit. Had I not worn a hat I would have left what hair I still have on the underside of the bus.
In all, it was fun AND interesting. I have never been so dirty in my life!
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8 Replies
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Still want to know how Pre changes front airbags? Glad you had a good time! Take it Jon’s bus is back in it’s nest.
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To remove the front airbags from the A frame suspension, with the bus raised and the wheel off, lift the outboard end of the A frame to put the A frame in a position close to normal for ride. The space to remove the bag will increase and you will be able to pick it right out.
Clear as mud eh?
JIM
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Well done Bonz, are you sick of 50’s music yet?
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Jim is correct about how to remove a front air bag on an IFS coach.
The bus was on stands and even the shock was removed (for changing) so the suspension was at its lowest point. We took the cotter pin and castle nut off the ball joint pin so we could push the threaded portion of the A frame ball joint threaded end up to raise the A frame to get the needed 1″ more space.
I put a 4 ton porta power on the bottom of the threaded portion and the (what I assumed was a tapered) pin would not move. I am sure it was rusted in place and I was reluctant to beat the hell out of the A frame to loosen it. On my coach I will do whatever was necessary, but I didn’t want to beat on someone else’s coach.
When I change my air bags I am going to use a 12 or 20 ton jack to pop it loose if the 4 ton porta power and beating with a sledge doesn’t get the job done. The only thing that makes it possible to use a porta power or jack is to take the brake chamber off.
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Well, Tom, the 50’s music reminded me of what my dad listened to while I was growing up, so it wasn’t so bad. The 40’s I didn’t really care for ’cause it just sounded like sick people moaning. The country music was the same I usually listen to. What really got my attention was Jon channeling Kurt Cobain by swinging his head while listening to 90s grunge and rapping like Eminem on the modern station!
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I cut mine out. after 3 hrs of ***** on first every position. Went right back in. 2nd took less than 1 hr bag shock and all. I read book also. Only thing I can figure is they removed lower removable cone—- cone shaped mount that runs up inside air bag. I took it off new bag slid it in sideways then put it back on before standing upright in place. With it removed the bag will come out and go in! the problem is on a old bag is getting it to come loose. A slight tug on a replacement and it will come rite apart. Then you only have one large end to deal with and can angle it. going in –if you can get it off old could do same comming out. If you have a old bag or replacement sitting around look at what I’m suggesting. I had axle level all over the place.
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All I can say is I was entertained by colorful language often accompanied by the sound of someone’s head trying to beat on a Prevost frame. The frame won every time, amazingly.
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Thank goodness I wore a hat! Jon wasn’t saying the same when said hat rubbed on the headliner of his truck though. Sorry again about that…..
Robert, we decided not to cut it out for fear that we couldn’t get the new one in, which would have stranded me in Jon’s garage. I intend to watch them do it next week in Jax. Maybe I can sneak a picture too.
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