This bus has been a bit of a saga. I pulled into an rv park that had a very steep and narrow driveway. Drove over a concrete slab and came off the end of it and smashed the radiator. Turned it off right away so no overheating, and had it towed to Ted in Williams, CA to replace the radiator and fan. All good but the tow guy was a bit of a know-it-all. He put a small slice in the side of my brand new Michelin tire but maybe worse, he removed the axle from the rear driver side but not from the passenger side. He claimed that only one axle had to be removed. When I got it to Ted's, which is 50 miles (our speed was about 55 mph), Ted was not too pleased. He said there could be some damage since we did not remove both axles but no way to tell except to drive it. So who is right, Ted or the tow guy? I am taking it on a 500 mile trip in a couple weeks and would rather not have it break down on me along the way.
That's not good. When only one axle is pulled, the remaining axle is turning the differential side gear, the two smaller gears (spider gears) and the opposite differential side gear. Due to the design of differentials the other gears are going to spin at twice the speed of the gear that is still connected to the axle shaft that was not removed. These gears aren't designed for these speeds and receive less lube since the differential carrier isn't rotating, and supplying splash lube to those gears, especially at those rpms. The only way to properly check for damage is to pull differential and inspect gears. Hard to check for noise with engine running. Another option would be to drive a couple miles after back on road and pull an oil sample. Those rears are pretty robust, so maybe you got lucky. 50-50
Similar to what Ted said, 50/50. I wonder if I have some recourse with the towing company? Any recommendations of shops to bring it to near Sacramento? Ted does not want to do this job.
Do you know what differential ratio you have? 4:11 or 4:27? The reason I ask is the 4:11 rears are scarce and I'd really want to have rear checked close before any damage ruins the ring and pinion.
I prefer they pull both axles,they just don't always do it the problem with pulling both axles on long distance tows you lose the lubrication on the hubs.Interstate Towing towed a 4905 here to the shop about 8 years ago from Flagstaff 200 miles with just 1 axle removed it had no damage it is still going but there is always a 50/50 chance
Great news Luvrbus! I hope for the same result. They were going to put it on a trailer but I was just a bit too tall with the satellite dome.
How do I figure out my differential ratio? I do have the 3 speed Allison auto.
When my bus was towed last year after its new fan motor burst, the tow truck driver removed only the passenger-side axle shaft because the tow was only 6 miles and slow (25 MPH) on city streets. If the tow had been further or faster he told me that he would have removed either the driveshaft or both axle shafts.
John
4:27 ratio.74 mph@2400 with 315?80-r22.5. Probably 69@ 2150
Ryker, These guys do Buses of all kinds. in West Sacramento, CA
http://www.valleypowersystems.com/portfolio-view/west-sacramento/
So, Ryker, does your GM have a crash box or V730? I wonder because the older manual shift transmissions get lubed even when being towed. I know that is the case with older 4 speed (not 5 speed) trucks/cars. And if the V730 had a rear pump it would self lube if being towed. I don't know the answer, but I know I can tow my older service truck (1976) without pulling the driveline.
Geoff
The wet clutch four speeds used a engine driven pump to lubricate the bearings, I don't think they would self lubricate to well under tow.
Thanks,
Jack
If you can get under the bus, always easier to pull the drive shaft, then pulling the axle half shafts. Then you don't have to worry about loosing lube. Good Luck, TomC
Geoff, mine has an auto, the Allison VS2-8.
Chessie, it is geared pretty high. I don't think I have seen the tack go much over 2000 and 75 mph is a breeze. It also crawls up hills but in the notes that came with the bus, the PO said it weighs 38,000 pounds! Too much hardwood in that thing but I do love it.
Dave, thanks for the West Sac tip. I have it at a shop in West Sac now getting the entire suspension replaced (shocks, sway bar bushings, all air bags, stab bushings, etc.)
I have learned a lesson but for now, I guess life goes on and if something happens, that is when I get it fixed. Kevin in Arizona said, "nothing money can't handle."
Quote from: Ryker on August 11, 2018, 09:52:12 AM
I have learned a lesson but for now, I guess life goes on and if something happens, that is when I get it fixed. Kevin in Arizona said, "nothing money can't handle."
Kevin L does have a way with words huh Ryker and he is a smart guy 8)
Quote from: TomC on August 10, 2018, 09:11:37 AM
If you can get under the bus, always easier to pull the drive shaft, then pulling the axle half shafts. Then you don't have to worry about loosing lube. Good Luck, TomC
Pulling the driveline is the way to go, the problem with that is that buses are so low to the ground the tow truck driver doesn't want to hassle with it. Even the one that only pulled one axle was lazy-- he should have pulled both. And they won't tow from the back which would also free the gear train.
Pretty tight to pull driveshaft on a 4905. It is very short and passes closely through two bulkheads at an angle. I wouldn't want to do it unless it was over a pit.
Quote from: chessie4905 on August 11, 2018, 03:37:47 PM
Pretty tight to pull driveshaft on a 4905. It is very short and passes closely through two bulkheads at an angle. I wouldn't want to do it unless it was over a pit.
I wouldn't want to pull the shaft it is a heavy sucker with hump teen bolts that never seem to want to come out,and besides a tow company will not reinstall one
The 4104 was a pain too. Every other bolt is a light press fit through flanges. Plus nuts were wired. You had to cut and remove wire, remove nuts, and use a brass hammer to drive out bolts. Much much easier after discarding drive shaft brake drum and shoes assy. Added maxi brakes instead.
We're still running to old drive shaft brake on our 4104 with original brakes. Upgraded to an E10 application valve which put front & rear brakes on different cylinders on the common shaft. It stops on a dime with 9c change. :)
On a V-drive you disconnect the driveline at the rear end U-joint where it connects to the rear end and slide it back towards the transmission and tie it up. Not at the flange.
Even if they could disconnect drive shaft at u-joint. You can figure on buying a new joint. What are the odds of retaining all the needles? I'd have them pull axles. But everyone should have a set of hub cap off plates in their coach. Another advantage to grease packed rear wheel bearings, at least with GMC's
I know what you mean about the needle bearings! The are suppost to take the caps off carefully so not to lose the needle bearings, OR duct tape the caps on.
I have tried it both ways it's easier on a 4905 to remove it at the flanges
Quote from: luvrbus on August 12, 2018, 04:20:21 PM
I have tried it both ways it's easier on a 4905 to remove it at the flanges
If you do that, how are you going to keep the driveline from turning when the bus is being towed? I think it's time to watch TV with my wife and BBQ some steaks! Goodnight.
I don't under stand the question Geoff ,the drive shaft is disconnected when you un bolt the drive shaft flange from the differential flange :o
Quote from: Geoff on August 12, 2018, 03:58:01 PM
duct tape the caps on.
Baling wire.
6010 7018 1/8 inch welding rod bent.
keeps the caps on for me.
Yes if you remove them. Tow guy hammers on shaft to free caps because they've been on a long time. They finally pop off and hit the dirt. Needles still in place??? Does the tow guy care???
Hi, Clifford. I thought you meant the flange at the transmission end. If the driveline has a parking brake drum that changes things.
Geoff
Quote from: chessie4905 on August 08, 2018, 12:19:48 PM
4:27 ratio.74 mph@2400 with 315?80-r22.5. Probably 69@ 2150
I just realized I did not respond to this. My tire sizes are 12 R22.5 and I can cruise at 70 mph and only about 1800 rpm.