hello everyone,
new to here just picked up my first bus! GM4104 in alberta canada. I am looking for some info on the airbag/axle support or bellows support. where my radius rod ties into the alluminum support the support has broken in half at that location. i have heard that possibly some later model supports will work on mine so i am looking for crossover information and or if anyone has made a new steel support if they have any plans for one.
any help would be greatly appreciated
Quote from: buswizzard4104 on November 04, 2022, 02:49:21 PM
hello everyone,
new to here just picked up my first bus! GM4104 in alberta canada. I am looking for some info on the airbag/axle support or bellows support. where my radius rod ties into the alluminum support the support has broken in half at that location. i have heard that possibly some later model supports will work on mine so i am looking for crossover information and or if anyone has made a new steel support if they have any plans for one.
any help would be greatly appreciated
Sounds like your 4104 has the older style cast aluminum rear bellows supports as ours did. The earlier models with cast aluminum were problematic as you (we) already know. When ours cracked and failed we replaced both sides with the newer stamped steel supports. You'll need to find a 4104 parts bus with them. Maybe call Luke at US Coach in Vineland NJ, he may have some or knows someone who does. Keep us posted.
Yes definitely the cast aluminum bellows support, I have chatted with Luke and he has what I need, the shipping up to here is what is the worst part. I'll have to look for a later 4104 was hoping there was some other options. Do you happen to know the years that switched to steel?
Quote from: buswizzard4104 on November 05, 2022, 03:21:06 PM
Yes definitely the cast aluminum bellows support, I have chatted with Luke and he has what I need, the shipping up to here is what is the worst part. I'll have to look for a later 4104 was hoping there was some other options. Do you happen to know the years that switched to steel?
The switch to stamped steel seems to have started with 4104-1759 according to the parts manual. I've attached a page from the parts manual that only shows the aluminum support & a couple photos - one showing our cracked aluminum support & a temporary fix to be able to travel the bus back home (SC to FL) for repair. The other photo shows the newer stamped steel support - they were found in a 4104 graveyard at Dean's Coach back in the day but now unfortunately gone. HTH Keep us posted.