Jacking up front end

[Danny Holder]

I have a MCI 102a3 and I need to jack up the front end to change out airbag.  Where is the best point to place the jack?  What kind of jack?
Thanks

[brmax]

Because these tend to sit very low, I like to drive up on a blocking at least, and like the factory one in the bus. Just seems to makes it easier pushing a jack under the frame/bulkhead. If the side is totally down you may need a few planks of wood to raise initially, and will surely keep these handy for the future.

Its always recommended that some blocking of drive wheels front and rear prior to jacking.

Not sure what weight that front end is but its likely on the gvw tag so using a jack plenty capable to lift that amount should be good.
Have seen a couple 20ton jacks before that would help ya out, maybe a tall and a short could be a benefit.
As you know if considering the replacement of air bags, that they can lower if leaking so using capable jack stands for supporting the bus on some solid steel. And remembering the lowering of the bus especially in this repair.
I try to stay off the torque rod mounts but close and solid like some bulkhead framing.

A handy supply of 6"x6"x24" wood blocking is a real good investment for this size of equipment, if stands aren't available don't start without at least this staple and plenty.
Hope this gets ya fixed up, and surely some others can chime in with tips they have used jacking the axle in any preparations.

Floyd

[gumpy]

Hydraulic bottle jacks. Minimum 12 ton. Preferably 20 ton. You'll need at least two, and some heavy blocking.

One needs to be under the axle (look for the jacking point). The other needs to go under the body tower (what the upper part of the air bag is attached to).  

You'll want the heavy duty blocking under both the body tower and the axle. Do not leave them on the jacks alone!

[Ed Hackenbruch]

I don't usually buy anything from Harbor Freight but they used to have some 20 ton air over hydraulic jacks for about $70. After using those a time or two i got rid of all of my other jacks.!!!!   

[sledhead]

I have 1 of these and a 20 ton as well . makes life easy peasy

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/12-ton-pneumatic-hydraulic-bottle-jack/A-p8003605e 

they go on sale all the time

dave

[Jim Eh.]

****      Do not leave them on the jacks alone!   ****

Smart man. It would be wise to heed this advice, kinda like your life depends on it.

[dtcerrato]

I use a pair of 20s, sure would be nice with air though!

[Danny Holder]

Thanks for all the advice.

[Oonrahnjay]

     Before we go away from this, I have a question.  He specifically asked about replacing a bag.

     If you have a bad air bag to be replaced, you could put a jack (or jacks) under the chassis and a jack under the axle so the axle is raised up with the chassis.  If so, I'd guess you'd then adjust the axle jack to raise/lower the axle as needed to work on the suspension components when the chassis had been lifted to the right height. 
     I suppose the alternative would be to just raise the chassis and let the axle hang while the chassis is going up but that sounds awfully crude -- especially if you know that you have worn or damaged components on the axle suspension anyway.
     Comments, please?

[brmax]

Your spot on Bruce,  a jack under the axle making it easier in doing some adjustments no doubt. Everyone chiming in sure helps with the tips an all, always good to get more input, heck it raises your averages!
Some of them blocks again can be a big help even though you used the one under the tire when it was removed, comes in pretty handy. These big wheels are to heavy so I use blocking, but on small vehicles I normally scoot the wheel under the vehicle for good measure and get it out of the way.

Floyd

Edit; them landscape places many times have good 6x6 oak fwiw

[Oonrahnjay]

Your spot on Bruce,  a jack under the axle making it easier in doing some adjustments no doubt. Everyone chiming in sure helps with the tips an all, always good to get more input, heck it raises your averages!
Some of them blocks again can be a big help even though you used the one under the tire when it was removed, comes in pretty handy. These big wheels are to heavy so I use blocking, but on small vehicles I normally scoot the wheel under the vehicle for good measure and get it out of the way.

Floyd

Edit; them landscape places many times have good 6x6 oak fwiw

     Thanks, Floyd.  That answers my questions - thanks for the info about the 6x6 oak, too.

[Jim Eh.]

If possible, jack up the axle, block the body and then lower the axle to give you room to swap the air bag(s).

[pvcces]

Hi, Danny.

If you jack up your coach while there is air in the bags, the suspension will cause the coach to settle on your jack and blocking. Do not get under the coach until you have the settling under control.

Tom Caffrey

[Dave5Cs]

Don't block the body. You block the Jack points which are marked in the books. Notice the square stock hanging down about an inch in front. If you block the body it will bend and fast. Use hardwood blocks if possible. Once the lift points are blocked then jack the axle up unless you are just removing a wheel. Then just jack the axle so tire is off the ground and block that axle.

[86102A3]

Here are some photos of where I blocked the front to replace all the radius bushings. I pulled up on wood ramp and then just let it settle down on the blocking. I used my standard floor jack to move the front axle up and down while replacing the radius arms. I do have a 20 ton air over bottle jack just in case, but you really do not need it. It is much easier just to drive the bus up on blocks, plus a lot less hassle than trying to get it high enough with the heavy bottle jack.








Jeff LoGiudice
Tampa, Fl.
1986 TMC 102A3
1999 Reliabilt 6V92TA
Allison HT740