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Old 10-31-2015, 07:24 AM   #401
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Martin

Of note, be sure the shop uses the correct torque specs on the ball joints and not just an impact wrench as over-torquing the bolts will lead to a Mayco/Mike incident which you wouldn't want.

Cheers
Tony
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Old 10-31-2015, 09:30 AM   #402
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Not sure what brand of ball joints they will source but from what Ive read, the Raybestos Professional series and the Moog brand are considered to be equal in quality. The Pro series Raybestos have the blue colored boot so easily identified from their standard duty. Heres hoping you'll have Bella ready to hit the road soon and without more surprises like this brake situation. Your calm attitude is impressive Martin. Its imperative to maintain when owning, working on, and most of all traveling in these old beasts. We always have the choice to freak out, get pissed off, stomp our feet or we can make a cup of coffee and get on with solving the latest problem. Good on ya

Mike
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Old 10-31-2015, 01:26 PM   #403
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Just been over to the shop to drop off the Bilsteins, so I have seen with my own eyes the state of the brakes.

As reported the the lines and cylinders are trashed, more so, the bleed nipple on the right had been snapped off some time ago (ie it was sheared off but the shear faces were corroded indicating it happened years ago) which means both the last two shops have not even bleed that side of the brakes. The left side was blown but it looked like it had been bleed recently. The drums and axles are out, new parts in, but the old (unusable) pads have been kept until I decide what to do next. The front pads/discs/calipers are also being kept as the right side was totally seized, and never been looked at, the left does look like it had been bleed recently.

Looks like I have found a diamond with this mechanic as he used to be a fleet mechanic for a delivery company using dually vans and trucks for delivery and now works pretty exclusively on the dually ambulances that service the hospital across the road. He appears to know exactly what he is doing around these systems, and we have left it that 'he will repair/replace' as if it was his own.

All of which is interesting because when I told him I had purchased the Centramatics, he laughed as he hates them and took them off the fleet vehicles as the drivers reported they felt like they were driving on soft tires.....that said he is happy to install them but gave me a rye smile and side he will jack Bella up and take them off free of charge after I have driven on them for a few weeks to decide for myself.
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Old 10-31-2015, 01:55 PM   #404
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Martin, it sounds like you are well on the road to recovery!
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Old 10-31-2015, 02:01 PM   #405
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
..

All of which is interesting because when I told him I had purchased the Centramatics, he laughed as he hates them and took them off the fleet vehicles as the drivers reported they felt like they were driving on soft tires.....that said he is happy to install them but gave me a rye smile and side he will jack Bella up and take them off free of charge after I have driven on them for a few weeks to decide for myself.
Martin, I think you should return the Centramatic without installing them to avoid loosing your money.
On a side note, we went on a camping trip this weekend and all my wife would say is: smooth as silk back here.
I rest my case.
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Old 10-31-2015, 02:20 PM   #406
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Martin, I think you should return the Centramatic without installing them to avoid loosing your money.
.
Not a chance Peter, I value your opinion and experience too much for that!
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Old 10-31-2015, 05:32 PM   #407
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It's always a good feeeling knowing someone competent is working on your rig
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Old 10-31-2015, 10:25 PM   #408
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This learning experience cost you some money, but finding a good mechanic and having the peace of mind knowing that it is being fixed properly is priceless.

Onward.....

Cheers
Tony
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Old 11-03-2015, 05:25 PM   #409
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New bell cranks and urethane bush kits have arrived.



Strangely no sign of the crank arms, will have to call Henderson tomorrow.
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Old 11-04-2015, 10:06 AM   #410
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Those Supersteer bell cranks are really nice. Put one on the 310 and it made a HUGE difference in handling. The are pricey but worth every penny.
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Old 11-08-2015, 09:37 AM   #411
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Another box of goodies arrived yesterday.

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Old 11-16-2015, 06:00 PM   #412
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Had an interesting discussion with the mechanic today.....brakes are all done, new suspension is in, new steering components are installed and feel 'tight'.

Tank is still out for repair, but one interesting question. He couldn't fit the steering stabilizer as it wasn't compatible will the type of drag link installed....I thought the P30 steering components were standard, apparently not?
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Old 11-16-2015, 06:46 PM   #413
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Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
Had an interesting discussion with the mechanic today.....brakes are all done, new suspension is in, new steering components are installed and feel 'tight'.
That's great news!

Quote:
¡Tank is still out for repair, but one interesting question. He couldn't fit the steering stabilizer as it wasn't compatible will the type of drag link installed....I thought the P30 steering components were standard, apparently not?
The steering stabilizer goes from the bell crank to the front frame cross member. I thought you had bought super steer bell cranks which should have the extra arm (I.e. mirror image of drivers bell crank) on the passenger side.

My 74 didn't have the extra arm and doesnt have the correct hole in the front crossmember. I plan on drilling the hole and adding a stabilizer on mine.

I don't suppose you have a picture of that area do you?
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Old 11-16-2015, 07:15 PM   #414
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That's great news!



The steering stabilizer goes from the bell crank to the front frame cross member. I thought you had bought super steer bell cranks which should have the extra arm (I.e. mirror image of drivers bell crank) on the passenger side.

My 74 didn't have the extra arm and doesn't have the correct hole in the front crossmember. I plan on drilling the hole and adding a stabilizer on mine.

I don't suppose you have a picture of that area do you?
I will try and get a picture later in the week.

I did get the Supersteer bell cranks but not the crank arms (I thought I ordered them, they never arrived, the mechanic removed and checked the old ones, and passed them as OK, so I never ordered the Supersteer ones). Where on the bell cranks does the steering stabilizers fit (I have searched online for a photo/video but can't find anything)?
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Old 11-16-2015, 08:36 PM   #415
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Martin, take a look at this thread. It has a good picture of the steering stabilizer installation.

Here's a link to what the drivers and passenger side bell crank arms look like. They are slightly different from each other.

Brad
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Old 11-17-2015, 05:05 AM   #416
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Sorry about my incorrect use of terminalogy. When I wrote bell crank earlier I meant to say bell crank "arm".

Here's a picture of my Argosy as I was rebuilding the front suspension. No stabilizer and no place to attach one to the bell crank arm.
Click image for larger version

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Here's another shot of my Argosy after the front suspension was rebuilt. I manged to find a correct bell crank arm from a GM dealer in Nevada. He had to search all over the country but finally found one. I believe there are companies that reproduce them one of which should be SuperSteer.
Click image for larger version

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As I mentioned previously the front frame of my Argosy doesn't have a mounting hole for the other end of the stabilizer. I will have to figure out where the hole is supposed to be and put one there. My guess since yours is only a year newer it may not have the proper hole. I'm thinking that feature wasn't added until the 77 model year.

Brad
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Old 11-17-2015, 07:05 AM   #417
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Makes sense Brad.

Sounds like I could have to change the crank arms (which the mechanic calls drag-links....but then he also calls bell cranks, idler arms!)

I know Joseph has the steering stabilizer on his 20 (I got the Bilstein part number from him) so maybe he could measure the locating hole for us, I will send him a PM?
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Old 11-17-2015, 07:52 AM   #418
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Technically your mechanic is correct on the terminology. I like the term bell crank better

Click image for larger version

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ID:	252285Click image for larger version

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I keep kicking myself because for years I had a 310 sitting by my shop as well as a 345. You would have thought I would have taken measurements!
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Old 11-17-2015, 08:53 AM   #419
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Do you want a measurement from the frame rail to the center of the hole for the steering damper?
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Old 11-17-2015, 09:06 AM   #420
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Do you want a measurement from the frame rail to the center of the hole for the steering damper?
Actually the dimension I needed to get was from the center of the bell crank arm hole (where the stabilizer connects) to the front vertical face of the chassis where the stabilizer connects too.

My concern is there could be a difference in length which could be a problem if the later coaches are different than the early Argosies. I want to makes sure the stabilizer cylinder is the right length.

Hope that makes sense!

Brad
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