rusted frame rails

[Adarian]

Can rusted frame rails in a MCI 102 A3 be repaired by pulling up the floor, or does it have to be repaired from underneath the bus or both?
The rusted frame rails are in the rear of the bus.

[kyle4501]

Depends on what is rusted & exactly where it is & what is around it.

While anything is possible, I'd imagine access from top & bottom will be required for optimum results.

If working only from the bottom, you'll likely have to remove more than just the rusty metal to have access & to get the new metal in.

The floor won't take itself out either & is sure to bring it's own set of issues. . . . However, if the interior has not been installed yet, now is a good time to take up the floor & clean up all the nasties that are hiding there.

If it is rusted there, you need to be concerned with the possibility of more rust elsewhere. . .

[Just Dallas]

Removed

[Bill B /bus]

Frame rails?
There are two 'frame rails' that support the engine cradle. Accessible with the engine and transmission pulled. The access hatch just forward of the rear seat is the access to the alternator. Which puts you at the bell housing area.
If you have rust below the floor then you are forward of the engine area. Over the transmission and forward.
Tell us where the rust is.
Bill

[johns4104s]

The rust on my MCI 9 (200.000 total miles ) Florida bus airport to downtown/no rest room, Was above the Stainless siding under the side panels. The tubing in places were rusted though. The tubing in some places were cut out replaced, other places could be wire brushed, cleaned up and rust proofed. The bus had been in service from 1982 till conversion in 2003. 21 years.

John

[Adarian]

I was just told that the floor had buckled above the rear end. I have not inspected the bus nor I have seen pictures.
I was told that if the floor is buckled then the frame rails are rusted.

[JackConrad]

I was just told that the floor had buckled above the rear end. I have not inspected the bus nor I have seen pictures.
I was told that if the floor is buckled then the frame rails are rusted.

I would walk (no run) the other way.  If the floor is buckled above the rear axle, this coach has some serious frame problems.  I have seen a MC-9 that had this happen and it can be a VERY $$$$ repair. They attempted to repair that one and finally gave up and parked it.  Jack

[bevans6]

I second the run away advice.  MCI monocoque frames as much hang the engine from the roof/floor/side structure at the back as anything else.  The engine mount rails are less cantilevered out as they are hung between the bulkhead and the rear structure.  If the floor is bending and buckling, then the whole back of the bus is failing.  People who are used to big frame structures sometimes find how monocoques distribute loads less than intuitive.  Somewhat like egg shells, monocoques are really strong until they fail, then they aren't very strong at all....  In automotive terms, a failed monocoque is called a "crush zone"...

Brian

[buswarrior]

structural failure.

Run away.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[rv_safetyman]

I can't believe that one of my Eagle brothers (or sisters) has not taken the opportunity to say something about MCI rust.



Jim

[luvrbus]

We take enough hits for all brands Jim no need to let the others have the fun we enjoy lol


good luck

[Bob Belter]

Ahoy, All,

A rusty Eagle bus (but I'm being redundant) once down to 'bare-bones' status is really very easy to repair and modify.  On my -01 Eagle, there is scarcely a piece of steel within one half foot of the bottom which is not new.  Digging in and fixing / modifying one with skin and interior would be an entirely different and tough piece of work.

I also replaced the aft lower longerons above the axles.  In my case, despite the rust damage, it remained very straight --  that is -- there were no complete tube failures, in spite of some of the tubes being at ~~ 50% rusted out.  I simply used a tight thread from new established hard points on the structure as reference.

We Eagle Folk KNOW that we are marvelously gifted and rewarded.  Good luck with your MCI.

Enjoy   /s/   Bob

[cody]

JIm, iggle owners know that rust can be an issue regardless of the bus, we've taken a beating over the years and it's been made to sound like iggles are the only ones that quietly rust people to sleep at night but reality takes on a more somber note when rust becomes an issue with another kind of bus, cause it's just not supposed to happen, it would be kind of like finding an oil leak on a cat engine, truth is that we all know that enviornment is more critical than the make of bus.  From the sounds of this bus I'm thinking the best idea would be for the OP to continue looking, some very nice buses are waiting out there.

[Just Dallas]

Removed

[gus]

The rear overhead monocoque actually supports approximately half the engine section, the bottom firewall bulkhead section supports the front half.

Monocoque is like any other structure, it works when used as built. Towing trailers was not part of the original structural design.