first drive today

[bevans6]

Well, I plan, if all goes as planned, to take the MC-5 for a little spin today.  Should be fun, I've not driven a Spicer before, but studied the instuctional posts and since I can drive without a clutch anyway, hope that I won't have too much of a problem.  Finished fixing thhe AC wiring, installed the roof air yesterday, all the checks check out.  So now I just have to back out on to the fairly busy road, not put a front wheel in the ditch, and get it into first before I stop traffic too much...

I'll no doubt post on how it went...

Brian

[Dreamscape]

I'll bet you are so excited with that nervous feeling in the pit of you stomach!

How did you get the bus home if you've never driven it before? I'm sure I'm missing something here, just curious.

You are in for a real experience in shifting, go to a big parking lot and practice, practice, practice! How long is your driveway?  Have someone stop traffic if need be, you don't want any surprises.

Have fun and let us know how it went! Can't wait!

Paul

[JackConrad]

   Ah yes!, I still remember the first time I climbed behind the wheel of our first bus, a GM 4106.  I was so nervous, I could not stop my legs from shaking, as I pushed in the clutch, slid the transmission in 1st gear, and let the clutch out. Wow! I was moving, I didn't kill the engine! When I hit the governor, I went through the double clutch sequence and about a 1/2 mile down the road,Ii finally got it in 2nd gear LOL.
   Enjoy the drive, you will never forget it.  Jack

[cody]

My first drive in my iggle was thru the narrow streets of Oshkosh Wisconsin, thru the downtown area during the huge airshow there, traffic was crazy and no room to manuver, was an interesting ride for sure.

[belfert]

My first drive, after the test drive, was right onto a freeway.  The salesman at the dealer drove the bus down to the highway on ramp and they turned the bus over to me.  He had a car following and left.

I think the scariest part was having a baggage bay door fly open on the freeway maybe 10 mile down the road.  The latch was broken and I had to stop and get some zip ties to hold it shut.

[Runcutter]

Brian, you may also want to get used to looking up, checking vertical clearances.  Your signature line lists cars that don't have a height issue.  

In my years in transit, I've seen a number of coaches affected by low underpasses (driver error, the underpasses didn't just jump down to grab the bus).  

Our first trip in the 4107 landed us on Main Street in Moncton, NB - trying to get turned around.  When the bridge sign ahead said 3.5 meters, I learned why all the Moncton transit drivers were looking at me with such strange looks.  I told Phyllis we were taking the next right, whether we could make it around the corner or not.

Arthur

[bevans6]

Well, I', back and the only thing I broke was my left thigh muscle!  this 5C is supposed to have an air assist clutch, I'm positive it isn't working.  I'll have to get it off and check it out.  I think the Jake brake isn't working either, no difference at all with it in either position or off.  it's supposed to work if throttle is off, yes?

Backing out of the driveway went OK, 3 or 4 back-and-fills to get headed straight, Catherine stopping traffic.  Shifting went about as expected, poorly, but by the end of the drive I was finding a gear not too bad.  Waiting and feeling the dog teeth just lightly brush seemed the best way.  Biggest surprise was how slow it steered and how much it wandered.  Speedo jumps from 65 kph to 95 kph instantly, so no way to tell how fast we are going.  Seems OK up to 65 kph though.  Downshifting is as hard as upshifting, especially for a slow corner - do you go all the way down to first or try to take most corners in second?  I figure first if you are slow enough for first.

Well, there had to  be a first time...

Brian

[christopher]

any pics of your coach?
thanks
chrismci5c

[Airbag]

Brian glad to hear your enjoying the bus. RJ has written a great article on how to shift these things and it helped me a lot.

Remember a bus does not stop like a car so start slowing early giving yourself plenty of time for down shifting. Let the engine do most of the braking when possible and don't worry what anyone thinks behind you there not the one behind the wheel of the 28,000 pound bus. Keep lots of distance between you and the traffic in front of you. The more miles you log in her the more comfortable you will be. Good Luck and if you ever pass through AZ give us a call.

RJ's article a must read:

http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/12262/16204.html?1167073154

[Tom Y]

Brian, Does your bus have a slave cly for the steering? I was told the reservation buses were all changed to intergal power steering ( no slave cly ) and a better setup.  Tom Y

[bevans6]

I have no idea about a slave cylinder for the steering, how do you tell?

Do you know anything about the air assist clutch?

Brian

[Tom Y]

Brian, Look under the driver area from the left access door. The steering gear box has a pitman arm coming off connecting to the draglink then going to the front axle. If there is a slave cly it will go half way down the pitman arm to the frame with hoses attached. The intergal PS will have hoses going the gear gear box and no cly ( this is an upgrade ). Hope this helps    Tom Y