V730 shimmy/shake

[wildbob24]

Brandon,

A cracked bulkhead was pretty common on the early 4106s, not very common on our models. Is it around the area that was removed for the V730 install?

Bob

[brando4905]

Bob,

Haven't seen it in person yet, but from David's description this is the area in question.

Brandon

[RJ]

Brandon -

The cracked bulkhead is a common problem when installing a V-730 in a coach that didn't come with one from the factory.  Reinforcing it is the proper repair.  Suggest that the steel be treated with POR-15 before installation, to reduce rust issues.  Also, a sheet of plastic or similar to reduce the risk of galvanic corrosion between the steel plates and the aluminum bulkhead is a good idea, too.

The following little detail is often overlooked when folk install a V-730 into a coach that didn't have one as OEM:

OEM has a support bracket that runs from the bulkhead to the rear bumper cradle, with a donut-like rubber bushing.  This helps spread the weight load of the transmission, so that it's not all hanging off the engine's bell housing.

I'll see if I can find a photo, but in the meantime, you might try calling Luke to see if he's got the necessary parts in his collection.  888-262-2434 will get you thru to him.

Might also suggest replacing the motor mounts on the bulkhead while you're in there.  Chances are that the additional movement due to the cracked bulkhead has accelerated their wear.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[brando4905]

RJ,

Thanks for all the good advice. A photo would be great if you can dig one up.

I think that I have the OEM support bracket, it goes from the bulkhead to bumper under the trans. and has a mini airbag on top that the trans. sits on.

Brandon

[RJ]

Brandon -

That's exactly what I was talking about - the bracket with a mini-airbag-like bushing to support the transmission.

Send me the actual VIN on your coach.  Besides the normal delivery roster that I have which tells who originally bought the coach from GMC, I've got another, very, very rare roster that lists the Buffaloes that had V-730s OEM.  You might have one of these rare Buffs!

The plot thickens!

[brando4905]

RJ,

It's H8H-649  A155, it has a clutch pedal, so not an OEM installation. Not sure who did the swap, pretty sure it was after Anderson took it out of service.

Thanks,
Brandon

[brando4905]

Little bit of an update,

Gus, slip joint splines do have some wear. Having a new shaft made.

So, once we get the bulkhead repaired and put in the new drive shaft, I'm hoping the shimmy at take off will be gone.

Brandon

[gus]

Brandon,

Let us know the final outcome.

[brando4905]

New driveshaft and repaired bulkhead=no more shimmy/shake! 

Thanks for all the help guys.

Gus, thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[wildbob24]

Brandon,

Excellent news. Glad the fix was relatively minor.

Bob