Broken down on ny turnpike

desi arnaz · October 07, 2011, 06:43:57 PM

Seems we hit a pothole and the right rear. Bumper fell seven inches and needs to be welded back into place as it sheared off from the top in front of the air filter, also at the same time I blew the top radiator hose that connects the ridgid tube to the engine. Engine should be ok as the water was flowing up into it from the radiator and we only got to 190 degrees. Anyone right close to the irioqui rest stop? If so please let me know if you can help.... Thanks. Tom

desi arnaz · October 07, 2011, 06:52:11 PM

Tried to post photo but it will not let me do it with an iPad

desi arnaz · October 07, 2011, 07:01:12 PM

They are a little dark but can be seen at. Flocks.shutterfly.com

Fred Mc · October 07, 2011, 09:54:10 PM

Tom, according to your description the support that sheared is one of the "hangers" for the engine cradle. The bumper is bolted to the engine cradle. If that is the case I would be very leary about moving the bus until it is fixed. I just went outside and looked at my bus (PD4106) and that appears to be what you are describing.

Regards

Fred Mc.

RoyJ · October 07, 2011, 10:23:01 PM

I know this won't be much help but, whoa! How big was the "pothole"? Was there any structural issues with the bus before?

I've hit a hard bump of two as well (bottoming out I think), and this makes me worried. Mind you my bus is different and the roof is none-structural.

Perhaps call a mobile welder?

fe2_o3 · October 07, 2011, 10:43:31 PM

From what I can see from the pix, Fred is right. The cradle support is broken.
I'm also curious about the tow truck in photo 3502. I'm wondering if that might have had something to do with the problem.
Must have been a big hole. Could have lost a car in it...Cable

Rick59-4104 · October 07, 2011, 10:56:37 PM

I too am wondering about the July photo of the wrecker hooking to the rear of the coach

Hope all works out for you, I am far far away, would help if I could..

Rick

desi arnaz · October 08, 2011, 03:42:44 AM

That was at the Albany turnpike toll booth, we waited five. Hours for a tow and then I had to rent a car to take wife and baby home,came back and was able to fix her in five min.
Bad brass fitting on the fuel line. Do you think a mobil welder could fix this? When this happend it also ripped the top hose of the coolant tube.....

white-eagle · October 08, 2011, 04:57:48 AM

ripped the top tube of the radiator off??? sounds like some part of the engine dropped a little along with what the ohters said. Can a mobile welder fix it. Probably with the right equipment and some jacks to get it back in place.

but i'd be real concerned about a broken weld on a bumper? that caused a radiator hose to pull loose. sounds like more than a bumper.

desi arnaz · October 08, 2011, 05:23:43 AM

Everything on the right dropped down seven inches. The tow guy will not accept. All state and wants two hundred seventy five an hour.we are trying to find a welder as we speak. Only the six inch hose was torn off not the top of the radiator

luvrbus · October 08, 2011, 05:28:06 AM

Probably can be fixed if the tail gate opening is still intact and square but if it pulled the upright loose the hanger attaches too he has major problems.

The GM engine mount system has always amazed me how they could even hold the engine up in place I'm guessing his didn't

good luck

Len Silva · October 08, 2011, 07:22:48 AM

I think you have some very significant problems to deal with, and not something the average welder guy is going to be able to handle. If, as we suspect, you have lost the right support of the cradle, then the whole engine/transmission/ radiator, etc. is hanging by one bole on the left hanger.

It is going to take a big jack or two and someone who understands the very unique engine support system used on these buses. The front engine supports are just hooks. It would take very little right now to end up with the entire rig on the ground.

Utahclaimjumper · October 08, 2011, 07:49:04 AM

The front cradle mounts are hooked AND BOLTED.>>>Dan

Rick59-4104 · October 08, 2011, 08:09:29 AM

Tom,
Did a bolt shear, the tube seperate or did a bracket give way? Unless this was caused by corrosion to the cradle that might result in the replacement of the entire cradle from looking at my 4104 I really don't see anything that any farm welding shop should not be able to repair probably better than new. I have a small metal fab shop and this looks like something I would not hesitate to tackle but I am in Arkansas.

I would check the cradle channels (big channel pieces front and rear of the cradle ) and the braces and supports that connect the channels to see if anything twisted when the right rear of the cradle dropped. If the right side dropped and the left stayed up there is probably going to be some twisting of the supports connecting the channels. Looking at my 4104 I would bet if the right rear dropped the right hand inner brace would probably twist. Check the bolts or rivets that attach the braces and channels.

My advice would be to park the bus, get in a car and drive away from the interstate and from the vultures that hang out there into farm country and start looking for a welding shop with a mobile welder that can help you. (not that every shop along the interstates are blood suckers but I'll wager most are

)

Maybe stop at the local coffee shop in town and ask if anyone knows a farmer with a farm shop that can weld. In my country these guys are VERY experienced with fab work and welding and know how it is to be in a tough spot and need help.

This is all based on if part of the the cradle itself failed, if any part of the bus the cradle attaches to failed this will probably be bad news.

Does the bus have a tow hitch attached to the cradle?

Maybe someone will know of a shop.

Best of luck wish I was closer.
Rick

luvrbus · October 08, 2011, 08:34:59 AM

With the engine dropping 7 inches I think he twisted the hanger bracket that ties into the bulkhead on the left he will more that likely have to remove the engine and redo that side also to do it right or he will just have a patch job there is a lot of work to repair one right,Thomas needs to stay off the turnpike

good luck