Broke Down in Victorville, CA - Good Sams is on its way

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

If it rolls backwards, the stator or torque converter bit the big one

Someone told me the small clutch probably welded together. Is this the same thing Cliff?  And if so, what would have caused this?

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Here are more symptoms...

Things went well as I drove thru a construction zone with no place to pull over as the bus seemed to be going thru a shutdown process. Then when I finally found an exit to pull off, I slowed down and at about 5 MPH when the bus acted like a bucking bronco.  Dam near spilled my half-a-pint. :-) 

The bus was bucking like crazy as it felt like the tranny was trying to switch between forward and reverse quickly. Then I smelled an electrical fire in the dash so I quickly grabbed my fire extinguisher but that never erupted thankfully.  But this may be unrelated to the problem as it happened when the bus was bucking as it may have shook some wires under the dashboard which are are a real spaghetti factory and needs to be cleaned in my copious spare time.

[luvrbus]

Sounds like the stator,I have a couple of 740's at the shop if you don't go the 4000 or B500 route.I would go the B500 route your 60 series will kiss you (maybe),the series 60 is out of it's comfort zone with the 1:1 final drive on a 740

[chessie4905]

Maybe Im missing something here.... If you are loading on a landloll, why do you need to pull any axles, or is that a nickname for a giant wrecker?

[luvrbus]

Maybe Im missing something here.... If you are loading on a landloll, why do you need to pull any axles, or is that a nickname for a giant wrecker?

If it goes backwards only, the axles or drive shaft is going to need to be pulled to unload the bus even on a lowboy

[chessie4905]

Ok, I thought it had no forward, just reverse, would still move either way in neutral if pulled or pushed. If it will roll either way, don't landoll have winches?

[buswarrior]

Drive line is locked up.

Axles out to move it, and prevent further damage.

I like your theory about rattled wires, make sure the shop has someone on watch fora dashboard fire, just in case the condition is poised to erupt!

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Jim Eh.]

Disconnect your batteries for the ride JIC.

[bigred]

But there is more to the story.  They thought they were going to have to pull the axles.  So what I thought was the tow truck dispatcher called me and told me they need to send a second truck with the proper tools because apparently the Landall truck did not have these tools, which makes no sense to me as they must pull axles all of the time. They said before the truck starts rolling I need to agree to pay $350 for the second driver to pull the axles.  The tow truck driver was right there and I asked him why they charge so much to pull the axles and he shook his head and said we only charge $150/hr.  I told the dispatcher that and she said the driver doesn't know the costs.  I thought WTF?  Tow truck drivers are usually responsible for collecting the money before they leave so something was smelling fishy.

The tow truck driver also said he does not know who this is on the phone as she does not work for his company.  Furthermore he said the truck is already on its way.  From what we ascertained, it was Good Sams calling back representing the tow truck company and wanting me to pay them $350 to pull the axles which the towing company was only charging them $150.  This makes no sense to me. Is this normal?  Seems like a scam to me. This may have even been a third party contracted to Good Sams to work with the tow companies and they will pay the tow Icompany for any services over the covered amount then mark up any other services at over 200%.  Does this seem right to you?    Why would you need to pull the axles anyway if they are going to haul it in on a Landol? And since you have a 60 they could have let the engine idle for a local haul.Inquiring minds want to know,lol

She also said I will have to pay $190/hr for the Landall driver to wait for the second guy to get there and to pull the axles if the entire job took over the allotted 2 hours. What is wrong with this picture?  Seems to me that pulling the axles is part of the deal.  Good Sams previously told me that they will pay for up to 2 hours of whatever it takes to get the bus loaded including pulling the axles.

Now I am wondering too, why do they call themselves "Good" Sams?  Seems like an oxymoron to me.   

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

As it turns out, they did not pull the axles.  Someone put silicon under the cover on one side and they could not get it off with the tools they had on board. So they dragged it up onto the lowboy with their winch. They even had to use a snatch-block because it pulled so hard.  They thought their winch was acting up but I could tell by the creaking and gowning and the way the chain was responding itself with a big snap a couple of times as it was getting re-seated that something was bound up inside somewhere.

I can't wait to pull the Allison oil pan to see what is in the bottom of it.  The Allison guy I called said it probably chewed it up a bit more inside because the tires did not skid, but he said it was destroyed before they worked on it so by dragging it up onto the trailer, it probably didn't really matter.  But it would have been nice if they had sent out a couple of more experienced guys as even I knew something was wrong and I don't even run a tow truck. But I used to drive a skidder and I know a bit about cables under stress.   

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Sounds like the stator,I have a couple of 740's at the shop if you don't go the 4000 or B500 route.I would go the B500 route your 60 series will kiss you (maybe),the series 60 is out of it's comfort zone with the 1:1 final drive on a 740

I wish I was closer to you Cliff.  I would love a B500 but he quoted me about $25k for a B500 with all of the fixins.  My budget tells me a 740 will work.

How far is it from Victorville to your place Cliff?  My runs in reverse just fine.  Maybe I can just back it all the way down there. If I leave now, I should be there for you to start on it Monday morning. 

[muldoonman]

Gary, That sucks  for sure. The bad thing about these Coaches is not a lot of folks work on or know anything about um. We need to clone a few of the good ones like Cliff, and keep on trucking. Had a issue with Bad Sams many years ago with a fifth wheel camper after the bearing locked up on the axle. Finally fixed it myself after a Warner Cat service truck stopped to check on me beside I 20 outside of Weatherford Tx. with traffic wizzing by. He had air and a die grinder and torch to cut old seized bearing off spindle and went and got me a couple bearing and races to fix. Sammie Boys never called me back and I didn't have time to call they're Chicken Chit Azz's back while I fixed it. Got on with Coach Net right after (so far 8 or 9 years) and haven't had an issue to use them but wouldn't use Sam's if they paid ME!. Keep us posed on the bus and hope for the best.

[DoubleEagle]

It might not have any bearing on your situation, but what transmission fluid are you using, Dexron, Transynd, or 15-40 Oil? Cliff says the 740 loves motor oil and that is what they use for "severe service" like in trash trucks. I just wonder if a different fluid would have made any difference. I am a Good Sam Life Member, but I have never, and will not ever use their road service. 

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

It might not have any bearing on your situation, but what transmission fluid are you using, Dexron, Transynd, or 15-40 Oil? Cliff says the 740 loves motor oil and that is what they use for "severe service" like in trash trucks. I just wonder if a different fluid would have made any difference. I am a Good Sam Life Member, but I have never, and will not ever use their road service. 

DE, I added 10W-40 yesterday, but I have not added any since I bought the bus, but it sure looks like tranny fluid on the dipstick.  Also, my bus only weighs 16 tons so the series 60 with the 740 does not even breathe hard when pushing up hills so I don't consider my bus heavy duty. 

[TomC]

So sorry to hear about your problems, Gary! I too had thought about using the B500 or HD4060 or 4000 series World transmission but the $25,000 price tag plus all the electronics said no. Even with the double over drive on the World transmission allowing the engine to turn slower, the fuel savings would take close to 300,000 miles to make the difference. The HT740 is an incredibly reliable, tuff transmission. Just stick with it and get it fixed. I bet also that the Torque converter lockup clutch took a dump.
If so, you're bucking like a bucking bronco was only the engine being lugged down and forced to fire one cylinder at a time. If you had put the trans in neutral, probably would not have happened.
All big rig Diesel Bonneville racers use the HT740-stick with it.
I understand how you feel-since I lost my air compressor last year. Unfortunately, this year can't come because of sudden family situation.
Good Luck, TomC