Clutch woes

[Sharkbait]

A while back I put some wear on my clutch trying to get the bus unstuck. In hindsight there's a bunch of stuff I'd do differently. The clutch is slipping pretty bad. I can move the bus around but not to go anywhere. I was looking at da-book on clutch adjustments. It mentions an air actuated clutch. Well somebody must have taken mine out because I have straight linkage. I found the clutch adjusting nut. Mind's got a red knob on it. I moved it all the way out and it still feels a little tight. Next step is to move the clutch release lever one spline, then I need to see if I have my 3/16 " between the clutch cover and clutch release lever. I have no idea if this has been adjusted before.

So, here's the question. Should the worst happen, anybody know where I can get a clutch put in somewhere around Merced CA? Thanks, Phil

[bevans6]

I'm not a GM guy but I had always heard that a v-drive clutch was pretty easy to get at to change.  Maybe you can do it yourself?  Sometimes the hardest part is getting the new parts, or the old parts rebuilt.

Brian

[OneLapper]

Sharkbait,

Setting the correct finger height on the 4106 clutch is quite difficult when the tranny is attached, but it's doable.  Your back will hurt from bending over to see down into the housing, and measuring accurately is hard. 

When rebuilding the clutch, you'll need to measure the discs and the intermediate pressure plate for thickness.  After you calculated the stacked height you can then figure out the proper shim to use, then adjust the finger height.  You should be able to get the parts from Luke at US Coach.  I bought my clutch parts from him a couple of years ago, he had them in stock.

That said, adjusting the finger heights isn't going to solve a slipping clutch.  You would need to remove the clutch, add shims behind the flywheel friction plate, then reset the finger heights.  I'm afraid you have a new clutch in your future.

[RJ]

So, here's the question. Should the worst happen, anybody know where I can get a clutch put in somewhere around Merced CA?

Phil -

Proper clutch adjustment starts up front and works its way back, procedure is in Da Book.  Does you're coach's linkage have the "mousetrap" spring assist on top of the transmission?

If you can get it rolling, the best place to take it would be to Ted Campbell's place in Williams, about 30 min or so N of Sacratomato on I-5.  He's the west coast equivalent of Luke's shop - but don't even attempt to contact him before 4-5pm!  He works nights, sleeps during the day.

www.coachmaintenance.com is his website.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Sharkbait]

Update, I moved my clutch release lever, don't know if it was 1 spline or not. It kinda popped off all of a sudden like. I just took up the play in the linkage and put it back on so it had enough throw. Seemed to work okay. Took it the15 miles to the tire place for 6 new tires then took it down the mountain from Mariposa to Merced. I have it in a mobile home park for now. Plan on doing some minor electrical work and cleaning it up. So far it's all working to plan, except for some minor challenges. After cleaning it up a bit I'm thinking of taking it to the guy in Williams to give it a once over and install my Jake brakes along with a couple of other projects. Thanks for all the technical assistance as well as moral support. Phil