Looking for MC9 Fenders

Greg Paciga (S.Ga) · May 07, 2011, 12:20:24 PM

Hello all.
Well my luck with seeing one of the last shuttle launches not only has not gotten any better. It seems to be worse. We started this ABORTRION back in Novemeber. Drove 500 miles round round trip twice to see the nect to the last one. I changed reservations so many times at the jetty Park camp ground that the Girl and I have become fast friends. We now exchange birthday wishes and I knoiw here entire family by thier first names. Or at least it seems that way.

Then gave up on seeing that launcn In January and set out sights on this one that should have went up a week ago. Started down on Thursday the day before and didn't make it 25 miles out of towm when I had a blow out on the drivers side front wheel doing 70.

The immediatly thought (for about 1/100th of a second) was ROLLOVER!! But I quickly regained control and made it to the shoulder in one piece. Beside the fould smell eminating from my pants after thoroughly soilng myself. All was well. That is until I got the bill for a new tire and road side service totaling $751. This caused a second discharge of fecal matter to find it's way into my now snug britches.

Made it to Jetty Park camp ground and waited until 3 hours launch on Friday before they scrubbed the mission until last Monday. Monday comes and goes and another scrubb. I gave up ever seeing one and headed back home. Made it about a hnudred miles from home and Guess what?? I have ANOTHER freaking blow out on the drivers side, rear, outside tandom. And honestly...I just don't see what the problem could be. The tires are only 3 years old and only had 6 0r 7k miles on them.

Unike the front blowout that didn't cause much damage. This one scewed a bunch of stuff up including the paint job. Lost a piece of rub rail, the entire rubber fender above that wheel.
The small piece between the fenders...well...just take a look at the pictures. You MCI folks will spot what I need. Fortunatly my insurance is going to pick up the repairs after the first $500. The easiest thing woukld be to find a company that could do everything from the paint to the repairs. But since this isn't a chevy or a Ford I don't see that happening unless you guys know someone in a 1 or 200 Mile radius of Valdosta Georgia.

Any way..I can use all the input I can get from a BUS body shop, to where I could get the needed rubber wheel well fenders.

Greg Paciga (S.Ga) · May 07, 2011, 12:22:07 PM

Another angle

Tom Y · May 07, 2011, 01:08:31 PM

OUCH, Glad you are well and was not the front-front. Tom

robertglines1 · May 07, 2011, 02:07:54 PM

Curious as what tire guy told you as to reason? I blew a 3 yr old tire 2yrs ago in Macon-said it was low on air(good year) I have monitors and it wasn't! refused warranty.Might clean rubber off paint with gas or wd40 and see how bad dents are . Lots of 8's and 9's being scrapped now so might get lucky on fender parts. Wishing you the best. Will keep eye out for you. Bob

demodriver · May 07, 2011, 02:27:39 PM

When I used to do roofing we used to clean alluminum siding with carb cleaner to get the tar and rubber off. We sprayed it on the rag and then rubbed it.

Best of luck.

babell2 · May 08, 2011, 07:55:40 AM

Keep us posted on what the final cost is. I have some that are not so great on my bus and am interested on how much I need to "Live with it"

Brice

Greg Paciga (S.Ga) · May 09, 2011, 04:12:49 PM

Well the original paint job guy in town can help with that. But I still need a source for the parts I need. Progressive 9the only ones that would insure a conversion) is going to send out a Claims specialist...THIS SHOULD BE INTERESTING...LMAO
Greg Paciga
S. Ga

Chopper Scott · May 09, 2011, 05:26:53 PM

My conversion is with American family. They had no problems insuring it and I set the $$ amount I wanted on it. It will be interesting to see how you come out with the adjuster. Just tell him to find the parts and repair shop. That's what they generally do anyways.

Greg Paciga (S.Ga) · May 11, 2011, 01:52:39 PM

I kind of think they already know this is going to be a pay grade Or two above the average claims adjusters knowledge. They really want me to get the estimates "if at all possible". LOL

Do you think the best sourse for the rubber wheel well fenders is MCI?? Or is there an after market company out there somehwere? I still have the Brand new fiberglass ones for the whole coach. But after seeing what it did th the rubber ones there's no way I'm installing the fiberglass. Look for those shortly in the for sale section. Along with the Fiberglass dash.

Greg
(S. Georgia)

gmbusguy1 · May 11, 2011, 03:31:26 PM

My one and only insurance claim involving a bus was a much better experience than I anticipated. It was Progressive and very easy too

the adjuster left me a check to repair as I saw fit the amount was more than fair

I will always insure with progressive as long as the premiums are as reasonable as they are now

Chris

Busted Knuckle · May 11, 2011, 04:46:41 PM

http://www.lewisbus.com/

And the tire you blew will eat the first $500!

BK

RJ · May 12, 2011, 01:29:11 AM

Greg -

Wow, haven't seen a post from you on this BBS in a LONG time!

I vividly remember some of your hilarious commentary on the old MAK BBS - the one that used to crash all the time!

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, thank goodness it's not worse.

As for the repairs, I'd pick up the phone and call several of your local charter bus companies and ask for the shop. When the guy comes on the line, ask him where they get any coach body work done. That should give you some leads to work off of.

Good luck, and welcome back!

FWIW & HTH. . .

Greg Paciga (S.Ga) · May 12, 2014, 03:50:34 AM

Wow. Been a while since I've been on again. Probably because I quite my management job of 13 years and started my own business that keeps me hopping 24-7. Buying military surplus form the feds and reselling. ArmySurplusNow.com But I always seem to wander back. Just like a bad penny I guess. I actually went ahead and installed the fiberglass fenders I had bought several years ago. I did get a check from progressive. I did the body work and paint myself. I'll send some photos I took after words. But then on a trip up to Chicago Blew out another tire on the other side and tore that biber glass all to hell and back. Ill send some photos of that as well. Decided to bite the bullet and put all new tires on the back while on the road. Wasn't. about $2,800. Now the wife breaks the hinge on my battery compartment door. ONLT A WOMAN OULD DO THAT... LOL

Greg Paciga
South Georgia

Debo · May 13, 2014, 06:35:05 AM

Interesting. My 1981 MC9 doesn't have the rubber fenders on the rear wheels - just the front. I'd seen them on other buses, but figured they weren't available or included when mine was built, so I've kinda gotten used to seeing it without them. In my opinion it doesn't look bad - maybe because I'm not smart enough to know it should look any different. If you find you can't stomach the price of new ones, it might be worth considering not replacing them at all. Just a thought...

EDIT: Just saw that you had replaced with your fiberglass ones. Hope you like 'em. If I ever think I need them I might look into those.