Jack stands

[petarm1]

Good day. I have a 89 102c3 mci. I want to put jack stands under to hold the body up in the rear so i can do some repairs. Until i find a service manual. Where is the best place to put my jack stands
Thanks from petar

[chessie4905]

Personally, I would use timbers, as you are going to need some pretty stout Jack stands, which would be costly.

[TomC]

If the bus runs, make ramps out of 2x12's to drive up onto.

[luvrbus]

I use jack stands (good ones) don't buy the cheap stands with the racket buy the pin type like the Sunex and remember the stands are rated in pairs not individually good stands you are fine,stands under the engine cradle close to the bulk head are ok   

[buswarrior]

Are we just getting the bus uphigher to get underneath, or are we taking the wheels off?

Building wood ramps like Tom suggests is good for tires on.

Wheels off,depends what you are doing, whether you block under body or block under axle?

A collection of good quality 2x lumber and some 4x to crib with comes in handy around the campsite, as well as coach maintenance purposes.

Larger pieces at home, like good railway ties, speedthe process, and can just stay there.

Crib the wood piles,no teetering pilesready to drop the coach on you!!!

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[chessie4905]

I'll bet you have a need for jackstands more than he'll ever need them. They are fine on concrete.

[petarm1]

Thanks. My stands are of the screw type good for 5 tons each. And i will locate them to the cradle by bulk head. My trailer hitch assembly doesnt give me a good flat area to put the stands. I may weld flat area in place to give better support. My goal is to locate a good spot to install hydralic jacks. Now that being said, are hydraulic jacks better when long term camping or is it better to just drive it up on blocks. And is there a way to stop the rear from dumping air when i do get it level

[chessie4905]

Caution if you live in Ca. and buy the Sunex jack stands.lol

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=dp_prop65_warn?ie=UTF8&nodeId=3234041

[lostagain]

So jack stands can give you cancer in CA. Are they safe in other states and provinces?

JC

[muldoonman]

Sounds like living in california could make you sick.

[chessie4905]

Just barely in Arizona, but they'll turn your hair white.

[Dave5Cs]

Thanks. My stands are of the screw type good for 5 tons each. And i will locate them to the cradle by bulk head. My trailer hitch assembly doesnt give me a good flat area to put the stands. I may weld flat area in place to give better support. My goal is to locate a good spot to install hydralic jacks. Now that being said, are hydraulic jacks better when long term camping or is it better to just drive it up on blocks. And is there a way to stop the rear from dumping air when i do get it level

I wouldn't use anything under 12 ton and do prefer 20 ton air over manual jacks and then wood cribs under Jacking points only unless taking off the wheels then its under axles. I drive up on ramps first and then start cribbing, jack some more and crib some more. I never block under body because it will bend. Do not jack under body on an MCI anyway it will bend. again only under the jacking points.

Just remember that a tire leak, blowout or bad airbag or even a leaky air valve may allow the bus to make a very bad Impression on you fast and last forever.

[eagle19952]

is there a way to stop the rear from dumping air when i do get it level...

no. you must block the suspension, even if it didn't leak.
having said that, fix the leaks first.

[chessie4905]

You can disconnect the leveling valve link where it is attached to axle. Secure it from moving then so it doesn't bleed out the air. On GM, it says you can unhook link, inflate air bags enough to place a 10 inch piece of pipe that has sufficient inside diameter to sit over bump stop, about 4 inches more or less in diameter. Be sure your air bags are in good condition first. Then lower coach by lever to allow body to rest on pipe spacers.

[buswarrior]

Re: blocking suspension at bump stops.

Big Transit used a piece of 4x4, painted yellow with an eye and a short rope to pull it out/carry it.

Slip it in, suspension can't go any lower once contact is made

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior