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Old 11-17-2015, 10:05 AM   #421
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1975 20' Argosy 20
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Could we get the hole location as well?

This is the unit Joseph got for his 77 (I think) 20ft, and I purchased for mine - according to the mechanic I have neither the extra hole on the crank arm, or the hole in the crossmember, so will need both to fit a dampner.

Bilstein Part Number BE3-2645-H0 (24-026451)
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Old 11-17-2015, 10:45 AM   #422
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The hole location would help but can be determined once the stabilizer is connected to the bell crank.

One thing I do remember is there are slight differences in how the front frame cross member is fastened to the main chassis rails between the later models and the early Argosies. I think that's when I realized I needed the distance I mentioned previously. If the front cross member is closer or farther away the stabilizer length could become an issue.
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Old 11-17-2015, 11:10 AM   #423
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Well, when I get a break in the rain Ill go out and take some measrements. Should be here soon
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Old 11-17-2015, 12:09 PM   #424
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A couple pics
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Old 11-17-2015, 12:20 PM   #425
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Ok,
1. From center of mounting hole on bell crank to attachment on front cross member 19 5/8"
2. From frame rail to center of stabilizer is 6 1/8". As you can see in the pic, the frame rail attaches to the cross member with a curved plate so impossible to get measurement from the frame rail to the mounting hole. So I came back a few inches to clear the curved joint plate and took measurement to center of stabilizer.
3. Measurement from outside end of cross member to center of mounting hole for stabilizer 13"
4. Measurement from bottom of cross member to center of mounting hole for stabilizer is 1 3/4"

All measurements to mounting holes were taken to center of hole


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Old 11-17-2015, 01:43 PM   #426
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mayco View Post
Ok,
1. From center of mounting hole on bell crank to attachment on front cross member 19 5/8"
2. From frame rail to center of stabilizer is 6 1/8". As you can see in the pic, the frame rail attaches to the cross member with a curved plate so impossible to get measurement from the frame rail to the mounting hole. So I came back a few inches to clear the curved joint plate and took measurement to center of stabilizer.
3. Measurement from outside end of cross member to center of mounting hole for stabilizer 13"
4. Measurement from bottom of cross member to center of mounting hole for stabilizer is 1 3/4"

All measurements to mounting holes were taken to center of hole


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Thank you Mayco!
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Old 11-17-2015, 01:54 PM   #427
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Cool!

Thanks!
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Old 11-17-2015, 02:34 PM   #428
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No problem fellas
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Old 11-17-2015, 05:55 PM   #429
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mayco View Post
Ok,
1. From center of mounting hole on bell crank to attachment on front cross member 19 5/8"
2. From frame rail to center of stabilizer is 6 1/8". As you can see in the pic, the frame rail attaches to the cross member with a curved plate so impossible to get measurement from the frame rail to the mounting hole. So I came back a few inches to clear the curved joint plate and took measurement to center of stabilizer.
3. Measurement from outside end of cross member to center of mounting hole for stabilizer 13"
4. Measurement from bottom of cross member to center of mounting hole for stabilizer is 1 3/4"

All measurements to mounting holes were taken to center of hole
Just got done taking some measurements from my Argosy.

For measurement (1) above I have 18-5/8". For measurement (2) I have 6-1/2". The numbers are obviously different but I think I know the reason for that.

My front end has never been aligned so the location from the side frame to the hole in the bell crank arm is dependent on what angle the bell crank arm is rotated to. By adjusting the relay & tie rod assembly I can rotate the bell crank so the arm moves closer to the side of the frame which reduces the distance to the frame for measurement (2). If measurement two decreases that would in turn lengthen measurement (1).

I think I'm satisfied that the basic frame structure is the same and that the stabilizer that Martin purchased will work.

However the small fly in the ointment is getting access to the nut and washers for the shaft of the stabilizer where it mounts to the frame.

If you look at the picture below you'll see there is no access hole for fitting the nut and washers to the stabilizer shaft. Fortunately it's an easy fix with the use of an oxy/acetylene torch Just cut a 2" hole in the front so you can slip a socket in there. Cutting the hole would be real difficult if the front valance was attached but since neither Martin or myself has a valance on at the moment that problem is solved
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Here's a picture of the back side of the front cross member. As you can see, there is no hole for a stabilizer to mount to.
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Thanks again Mike for the dimensions.
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Old 11-17-2015, 06:05 PM   #430
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No one said you wanted ACCURATE measurements!
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Old 11-17-2015, 06:18 PM   #431
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Quote:
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No one said you wanted ACCURATE measurements!
I just assumed since you were an Airstream owner that accurate measurements were more or less implied
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Old 11-17-2015, 07:14 PM   #432
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Very true. Retired carpenter also. Did you by chance measure from the outside edge of the cross member and see how that corresponds to the measurement from the frame rail. I guess that front cross member may be different on different models. Also in that last picture I dont see a corner brace like on my 310. Lots of variables. So did all the Argosys come sans steering damper? Ive been real happy with the SuperSteer bell cranks, I replaced both sides. There is a good deal of hype about them but I do feel like it was money well spent. The passenger side install was one heck of a pain in the rear because of the motor mounts for the diesel. I would buy them again no question. Good luck to both of you. Gotta get those suckers on the road so you both can start having some ftun!!!!'
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Old 11-18-2015, 06:51 AM   #433
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mayco View Post
Very true. Retired carpenter also. Did you by chance measure from the outside edge of the cross member and see how that corresponds to the measurement from the frame rail. I guess that front cross member may be different on different models.
I didn't take the time last night to do that but will try for this evening. From what I remember the shape of the back side of the front cross member is somewhat different between the early Argosy and later Classics. However I don't remember what the difference is. I don't think it was enough of a difference to cause a problem.

Quote:
Also in that last picture I dont see a corner brace like on my 310. Lots of variables.
Could you post a picture of the brace you're talking about?

Quote:
So did all the Argosys come sans steering damper?
My best guess is the 74-76 Argosies did not have steering dampers. From what research I've done there was a chassis change starting in the 77 model years. The instrument cluster is a good indication of when the chassis changed. The 77 and later coaches seem to have steering dampers.

Quote:
I've been real happy with the SuperSteer bell cranks, I replaced both sides. There is a good deal of hype about them but I do feel like it was money well spent. The passenger side install was one heck of a pain in the rear because of the motor mounts for the diesel. I would buy them again no question. Good luck to both of you. Gotta get those suckers on the road so you both can start having some ftun!!!!'
I agree with your opinion of the SuperSteer bell cranks. Pricey but they certainly took out a lot of slop in the 310 steering when I replaced them.

While Martin's is on the road mine is several years away from that. I have way to much to do to it with not a whole lot of time to work on it. But I'm trying
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Old 11-18-2015, 06:55 AM   #434
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Mike, two more questions, the first you might not be able to answer

First, do you know the diameter of the hole in the front cross member that's required for the steering damper shaft?

Second, I should know this but can't remember. How close does the lower part of the front valance come to the front cross member? Is there room to get your hand up in there where the hole is located in the front for socket or wrench access.

I vaguely remember having a hard time reaching up into that area on my old 310 to get access to the nut on the damper shaft.

Thanks!

Brad
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Old 11-18-2015, 08:51 AM   #435
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http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...6&d=1447787326

If you blow that pic up and look closely towards the bottom of the cross member you will see how there is a corner brace laid over the cross member and the frame rail. It has a radius rather than a squared corner.

Its been a while since I installed that damper but the hole diameter wasnt much bigger than the shaft, I think.

The valance is very close to the cross member and I believe I had to cut a small section out to get my hand up there to tghten the nut. Its on the bottom so you would never see what I cut out unless youre under there working. Even with cutting a small piece out I needed to bend the valance a bit to get in there. I think I used a rotary tool to cut it.
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Old 11-18-2015, 08:54 AM   #436
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Might be easier to see that brace in post 424, first pic.
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Old 11-18-2015, 09:15 AM   #437
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The first picture below is my 74 Argosy.
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The second picture is from an 86 345.
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It actually looks like the Argosy brace is larger (longer) than the later models.

The hole in the frame would need to be large enough to accommodate the shoulder built into the rubber washers used for mounting. That might be the best way to get the required hold diameter.
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Old 11-18-2015, 02:55 PM   #438
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Well it is official....the nice shiny new custom made fuel tank is 'junk' according the the local custom tank shop, and can't be safely repaired.

So we are on the hunt for a replacement.....thanks to Brad I have about 6 options to look it later when I get home!
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Old 11-18-2015, 02:57 PM   #439
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Martin, do you know if the fuel tank mounts have been modified?

If it would help I can try and get pictures of mine this evening.
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Old 11-18-2015, 06:32 PM   #440
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Just got done dropping my fuel tank. I believe it looks pretty much the same as the Spectra GM29 that I sent you information about. Only difference I see is my tank has a tap for a generator where the Spectra tank doesn't. In your case that shouldn't matter since your generator is a portable unit.
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Below are pictures of the tank mounting brackets that are required to hang the tank from the chassis. Not sure if your's has been modified since you had a custom tank in there.
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There are two of each the frame standoffs, L support arms and straps. If you don't have the parts I'm certain I can get them fabricated. Not sure about the strap but I'm sure something could be worked out for that.

Hope this helps!

Brad
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