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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: desi arnaz on March 11, 2010, 11:18:05 AM

Title: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 11, 2010, 11:18:05 AM
1st i took her for a ride to the dump today with all my winter trash,2 squirts of liquid love and she started right up! i notice that every bump i hit seems like i have run over a cow. one dip in the road and i rose up and hit my head on the cabinet,my bags are set at 60 lbs.any ideas what i should do?what do other 4106 owners set their bags at?

2nd i replaced all my trojans with 12 volt deep cycle +to+ - to - on all bats but now my inverter will not work. it works fine with the geni and when plugged in but not on batt power... any ideas?
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: pvcces on March 11, 2010, 09:10:04 PM
You ought to use a leveling valve because height is not directly related to pressure and because pressure will change due to temperature and any leaks.

There are a number of designs using air bags and factory leveling valves in over the road operation that let people adjust their coach height when the engine is shut down.

Our coach, at 27,000 pounds, needs about 90 PSI to get the front up to full running height, so I expect that your 60 pounds is too low.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 11, 2010, 09:59:01 PM
at 70 or 80  i get drift????????? damnd if i do damnd if i dont.
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: RJ on March 11, 2010, 10:13:22 PM
Quote from: desi arnaz on March 11, 2010, 09:59:01 PM

at 70 or 80,  i get drift? damned if i do damned if i don't.


Definitely damned if you don't pay attention to the suggestion made over at BNO!

Load the coach for a trip, with a full fuel tank and your choice on the freshwater.

Then, with the coach on run-up blocks front and rear (or over a pit), measure the body-to-axle measurement as outlined in the shop manual.  Adjust the air pressure until you've matched GMC's specs. 

After adjustment, pull the coach off the run-up blocks, and park on level ground.  Measure the distance vertically from the ground, thru the centerline of the wheel to the bottom of the wheelwell trim for each wheel.  Now you've got a reference number for adjusting the ride height, empty or loaded, from outside the bus.  Won't help when you're behind the wheel, but at least it gives you a starting point.

Pete Papas (RTS/Daytona) sells a neat kit to keep the stock leveling valves for travel, then switch over to your system when parked.  Best of both worlds!  Contact him for more info.

FWIW & HTH. . .

;)

Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 11, 2010, 10:36:31 PM
sounds like what i need. not really concerned about when i am parked just when i am on the road as i have a bad back and the wife has had her back broken 2wice and has metal rods that cant take the punishment. i have posted on both boards to get every-ones opinion.  how much would a leveling valve cost me?
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 12, 2010, 05:49:40 AM
anyone here have a used one for sale?
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: Busted Knuckle on March 12, 2010, 05:54:27 AM
Go to the local truck/fleet parts house and buy a new one! Not that expensive and you will know what ya got!
;D  BK  ;D

But on the other hand have you done as RJ suggested and made sure it was adjusted correct? May not be ANYTHING wrong with the one you have except the adjustment!
If you adjust it correctly and then get ill handling, then there is a problem elsewhere that needs attention! FWIW YMMV
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 12, 2010, 06:02:00 AM
i dont have one now.......... $85 for a new one and i am pretty broke right now.
i have four valves now one for each corner hand operated.havent had the chance as i dont have any flat area and there is still snow on the ground.
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: zubzub on March 12, 2010, 06:23:27 AM
just so you know your bus had 3 leveling valves when it was built.  If you're feeling squeamish about shocks for $100 each, leveiing valves are not in your budget, (or mine these days...) besides you don't need them, you just need to set you heights....not to mention the old valves were  probably left  in situ.  Maybe you need shocks maybe not, wait for when you can do it and set the heights and decide from there.  Also I have heard that when tires sit for a long while it can take some good warm running  to get the set out of them..ie., they are bumpy 'til the warm up enough for the bump to smooth out. 
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: Happycampersrus on March 12, 2010, 06:30:00 AM
Bad news is your probably gonna need three (3) new leveling valves to fix the current design you have there, if your coach has had all the factory/stock leveling valves and stuff removed.

I'm with RJ on this one Pete Papas (RTS/Daytona) is gonna be the man you'll need to talk to.
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 12, 2010, 07:23:39 AM
i had the same problem on my trip to canada. at any height it was bumpy as hell. almost killed the wife as she didint have a air ride seat. didint bother the baby much. even with my air ride super duper captains chair i was in pain at every bump. i figure the p/o never changed the shocks and he spent over $92,000 on things and repairs so it must be time.i cant go on living like this as it will kill me........
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: Hi yo silver on March 12, 2010, 10:53:43 AM
Are you using a 12 volt inverter?  Check input voltage at inverter with a digital meter.  Check Breakers.  If you hear hoofbeats, suspect horses, not zebras...hoping for something obvious and simple... HTH.
Dennis
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 12, 2010, 01:09:07 PM
oops  can you say dumbs**t?  i never thiught to check the tire pressure........ the guy that was helping me get ready for my trip said he did it.......NOT......... TIRE PRESSURE WAS 60 TO 70 ON THE REARS AND FRONTS AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE INSIDES ARE, i feel like an @$#. i will fill her up tonight and take her out in the morning.
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 14, 2010, 06:52:08 AM
ok i checked out prices for the big @$# 200 amp fuse i blew for the inverter....e-bay guy from nh $35 plus $5 shipping place in az $16 plus $12 shipping
napa auto parts $6.57  will be here in the morning.
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 18, 2010, 04:21:38 PM
OK the shocks are on the way.......i wanted the best price so i called Gabriele they said i could get them at auto zone, i call local auto zone they say sorry not available  i call Gabriell back and they say they have to release the shocks for sale. so next day i call auto zone  they say i can order them for $56 each but they will not drop ship. if you want to drop ship you have to order from the Internet. so i go to Internet and try to place my order.....  sorry this part not available. i then call Gabriele again and the lady says she will FedEx them to me at no charge for all my troubles.


new problem   i replaced the 200 amp fuse and rewired the starter batteries as the red was one inch from shorting out.i now have no lights on the heart inverter nor do i have any 12 volt power inside the coach including my wheelchair ramp.  what did i do wrong?
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: johnjem on March 22, 2010, 03:47:55 PM
Do what i did!i mounted the valves on the dash board so i can ajust as i drive  !!
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: johnjem on March 22, 2010, 03:51:36 PM
i can ajust as i drive!
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 22, 2010, 04:13:32 PM
mine are on the dash. i cant reach them with my 3 point seat belt on though. i am hoping the shocks will help me out a little.
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: johnjem on March 22, 2010, 04:49:10 PM
Is ur bus at home?i hope to see it?never saw a 4106!i have a 4905 ! plans got changed around is sunday morning ok for u? coming up to get the couch ,in case u didnt know i was the 1 who emailed u johnjem84@yahoo.com
Title: Re: 4106 problems
Post by: desi arnaz on March 23, 2010, 05:48:31 AM
bus is here! sunday is fine.