Bad transmission

[peterbylt]

Pulled off the interstate into the pilot, transmission barely started at the stop sign rolled into the pilot, will not go into gear, makes clunky sounds. at the pilot, 1989 MCI 96A3, 8V92,  HT740, we are in jasper on I75 Florida Georgia line, anyone know of a transmission shop nearby?

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Call Don at Choo Choo Express garage in Roseville, GA.  He may be able to help you out, if not, he will know someone to call. He will probably answer the phone today.  423 645 7456.  If people say he is out of business, just ignore them. He will still help you out and probably has the exact part (transmission) you need. 

[peterbylt]

Called Don, he gave me a few suggestions, being towed to lake city.

A little exploratory surgery showed me it is not the transmission, but broken axle.

[Geoff]

I wonder if someone put a Chinese axle in there.  The last axle I changed was Chinese, but at least it was in a Chinese tractor.

[peterbylt]

Had the bus towed to Aarons Diesel repair in Lake City Fl.

The towing service, AAA American towing (Superman) really knew his stuff, says he does not like towing buses, but did a great job, The truck has a hydraulic Ram that reaches under the bus and lifts it by clamping onto the Jack points on the front axle, left the bus idling while being towed to keep it up on the airbags and the brakes released.

I had already pulled the broken off axle shaft out.

Aaron's was able to get the broken off piece out and determined that there was no other damage to the drive axle assembly, they called all of their resources and came up empty handed looking for an axle shaft.

We are back home in Tampa, I spent the day calling around looking for an axle, Talked to Luke, JD, Sam Caylor, ABC, Carolina Bus, Apparently Axle shafts for an MCI 96A3 are made out of Unobtainium.

Axle shafts out of a 102A3 are obtainable, worst case scenario will be to have a 102 axle shortened and resplined.
 
I have a few possibilities in the morning, after learning that the axles out of any of the MCI 96" buses, MC7 – MC12, will fit I called Luke back and he thinks he has one out of an MC9 and Carolina Bus called back and think they have one as well.

The Joys of Bus ownership.



Peter

[Bill Gerrie]

I have a picture like that when I broke the input shaft to the transmission. It is nice when you get somebody that knows what they are doing. A novice can really do some damage. Good luck on your finding an axle.

[Lee Bradley]

Generally torque breaks the axle at the splines and loose axle bearings break them outboard.

[edvanland]

Complete coach works has them call Mando at 951-836-4440 they advertise with this magazine nice people to work with.

[peterbylt]

I was finally able to get an axle from Luke (US Coach)

The Axle was shipped directly Aaron's Diesel near Lake City Florida.

It was installed yesterday, they were able to start it up and drive around the yard.

Through some creative manipulation of Vacation time, I am heading up Monday to drive it home back to Tampa, We will be stopping and camping for one night on the way back (I need to get at least one night camping)

I hope it survives Tropical Storm Nestor that is passing almost directly over it right now.

Peter

[Utahclaimjumper]

Sure was cheeeeper than a transmission!!>>>Dan

[chessie4905]

Good old Luke! He's  saved many a day.

[peterbylt]

We made it home with the Bus on Tuesday, not the relaxing mountain vacation we had hoped for, but an adventure none the less.

The axle shipped from US Coach arrived at Aaron's Diesel repair near Lake City FL on Thursday afternoon, they installed it on Friday and tested it by driving the bus around the yard.

Instead of burning the Vacation days I went back to work Thursday and Friday and took Monday and Tuesday off.
Early Monday morning we headed back up to North Florida about a 3-hour drive.

After checking everything out and Paying Aaron's we headed about 50 miles south to Otter Springs Camp Ground, I was going to get at least one nights camping in before heading back.

The Bus ran good and everything checked out, Tuesday morning we headed back down to Tampa taking the back way and running on US 19 and then the Suncoast Parkway arriving back at the yard around 2 pm.

If you have any issues in North Florida rear where I10 and I75 intersect, AAA American Towing (Superman) out of Lake City 386-515-5274 can tow you and he really knows his stuff and will make sure you are all set.

Aarons Diesel repair in O'Brien Florida 386-935-4617 can do repairs, they took care of getting out the Broken off piece and installing the new Axle.

And of course, Luke at US Coach came through with the Axle when I could not find one anywhere.   

Peter