I may regret this... putting in main rear air tank, Yikes!

[RickB]

Well, I borrowed an impact wrench, I have two jacks and plenty of 2X12's, I bought the new tank yesterday and I'm hoping to get the bus in the air, the back tires off and a good look at whether or not I think I can pull this tank without having the bus on a hoist. If the local shop could even give me a ball park figure of hours they think it will take them I'd probably just have them do it but with guesses from 4 to 15 hours I want to do my best to do this myself if possible.

Already know I have to cut some water lines, remove my grey tank and the main sewer outlet to get access to the mounting bolts. (this is gonna suck isn't it?) 

My main concern is access to the air fittings on the top of the tank from the side because from the bottom they are basically unreachable. I've been spraying everything with power blaster for the last few days to loosen things up.

So, have any of you ever changed this thing out? You know it's bad when a great mechanic, who is a longtime friend, say's "one of my least favorite jobs to do" and "the last time we did one of those it took two guys over 10 hours." I'm wondering why they didn't get a torch and just cut the stinking bolts.

Well, hopefully I'll post in a few days successful, walking, and not stuck under a 15 ton monster. I know, I know, I'll be safe.

Rick

[Seangie]

Rick,

Take lots of picture....never know when someone else is going to have to do the same.

-Sean

[Taibob]

RickB
My black tank is also in the rear bay, is held away about 1 inch from the
bulkhead by the bulge for the air tank. I bought some cheap spanners that I welded a rod on one end to reach between the tank and wall to hold the screw heads. The other spanners were cut in half [shortened] to use on the pipe fittings on top of the tank.
The shop that did the work said the job would take about 8 hours to Re and Re. They charged me for the 8 hrs. [$1300.00] and used my spanners.
My friend removed one in a MCI 102 [parted it out] in 2 hours. Go figure..He used my spanners and Thanked me very much for the short wrenches.
The job is thankless [like removing a bus toilet system] but with much patience all things are possible.
Work safe
Bob

[RickB]

Talbob,

Not sure if your bus is a 9 like mine but if it is that might explain why your buddy did it so fast. The 102's have like 3-4 more inches of clearance between the airbags and the tank. I will have my wife to help me so, hopefully, the bulkhead bolts won't be as difficult as doing them alone. So, why did you have shorten the wrenches for the fittings? Is there even less room in there then I'm expecting? Did I mention this is probably gonna suck?

Rick

[luvrbus]

Buy you a set of crows foot wrenches at Sears,Northern Tool or HF, they have those in line wrenches and standard nut sizes they are your best friend for tight places lol

[chev49]

You can also make your own end wrenches for special applications by cutting other end off as needed, or re welding an end on for a special angle, etc.. I have had to do this several times working on equipment that has a billion hoses connected to the rotator and about a tenth of an inch space to unscrew the fittings...

[RickB]

I already have full sets in SAE and metric. wouldn't be without them.

RB

[RickB]

Well that was, shall we say, extremely, definitely, most certainly UNPLEASANT! There is no way to remove the plumbing from the grey and black water tanks without getting S#%T everywhere... I detest working on plumbing stuff.

Got the tank out, getting ready to spray a bleach/water mix all over everything, including my tools, then pressure wash the whole thing and I'm ready to pull it in the shop get it in the air and have a look. Got access to the bolts and I'm committed to getting this thing done.

This gonna get better right?

YUCK!

RB

[Seangie]

Rick,

On second thoughts...maybe you don't need to post pictures.



-Sean

[RickB]

Full HD video streamed directly to every member's computer, phones and TV's on every channel.

Forget the Masters or the news, we are having a good old time here at SEWR TV.

Whole back bay got a dousing of bleach followed by a good rinse.

No excuses now...

RB

[Steve102C3]

Is this the tank between the drive axle and the rear-most bay?

I assisted my mechanic when he replaced mine last year. I too had to remove my holding tanks to remove the 4 bolts holding the air tank in.  This is when I realized how poor my engineering skills are. Next time, . . . .

He had to use a crows foot to get to the air lines.

I had my bus over a pit, so that made it a little better; but it's safe to say you've only done the easy part.

Best of luck.

Steve