Can't Get Into Spare Tire Compartment

Bryan · February 12, 2022, 08:57:56 AM

Hey guys! Hoping you might be able to shed some advice on this one. On my 96 XL, I am trying to open my front bumper spare tire compartment... should be easy with the 2 bolts undone... now it appears that the spring won't let it fall. I can get it open just enough to see the spring holding on to it. Is there something I'm missing? I'm thinking the spring is to help it from not falling so fast but it's barely letting me open it? Thank you for your help!

buswarrior · February 12, 2022, 11:03:03 AM

Is there no release lever inthe compartment under the driver's window? Look up, around the edges, lurking someplace?

H3, that's where it was, IIRC?

You are correct, the spring is not "holding" it.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Bryan · February 12, 2022, 01:05:18 PM

Thank you Buswarrior! Here is a pic, do you see where the lever might be?

Tedsoldbus · February 12, 2022, 02:15:01 PM

I just opened mine yesterday for the first time so I could put rubber bumpers on the front. I took out the big nuts and bumper dropped down on a hinge. To access the spare tire compartment there are two little catches under the edge of the bracket the big bolt comes out of. The catches sort of spring open sideways. One on each side. They are what holds tension against that spare tire door. Release those and the door drops open on its hinge same as direction as the bumper. The door lays on the bumper. I had to get on the ground and look up to find the catches. Your bus is newer and may have a different catch but if you don't see that or my description does not make sense, PM me and I will get you pictures of where it is. Or can talk on the phone.

Bryan · February 12, 2022, 06:12:52 PM

Thank you so much for your help! So when you took the big bolts out and your bumper dropped with the hinge, did it completely open? Right now on mine, I have taken both big bolts out, and the bumper barely opens. Just enough for me to see the spring that it holding it from coming on open.

freds · February 12, 2022, 09:21:59 PM

Quote from: Tedsoldbus on February 12, 2022, 02:15:01 PM
I just opened mine yesterday for the first time so I could put rubber bumpers on the front. I took out the big nuts and bumper dropped down on a hinge.

Dang that's where my 90 gallon fresh water tank is!!!

So I don't think I have a hinge on my rig...

Anyway I ran out of fresh water last week for the first time and hey I had just soaped up in the shower when I heard the pump change tone!!!!

Needless to say I cut the shower short and turned off the pump as soon as I got out...

Tedsoldbus · February 13, 2022, 03:37:11 AM

I didn't understand until now. Yes, when I took the big bolts out the bumper dropped down on its hinge. BUT, at first it was "sticky" probably never having been open. A friend helped me and we both pulled a little harder on each end and it dropped down. I oiled the hinge and cleaned where the bumper touches the bracket before putting it back together. I don't have a spring like you are talking about. So my long explanation was little help, but I don't think there is a secret handle in the side door compartment. Again your bus is newer than mine but I know who to call on Monday and he will know instantly if we are missing something on yours that is not on my older bus. My manual shows the platform in there is where the fresh water goes like Fred, but that space is empty in mine so I could study the thing from the backside.
If you have a smart phone I am happy to face time with you and show you my set up and look at yours. I expect Prevost does the bumper drop down thing, not the converter. We are missing something simple. With the bolts out if someone can lay under it while you wiggle it whatever little bit it wiggles, maybe someone added a bolt you don't need, or the hinge is corroded. Can you see the hinge? With nobody under it, tug a little harder. That freed mine up. I'm here all day and would like to help you outfox this thing. I will PM you my cell number.

buswarrior · February 13, 2022, 05:37:28 AM

At this point, i would be thinking there will be a clip of some sort, a secondary catch, that holds it as the last bolt comes out?

Don't be under that thing! The weight of it, if the restraining springs are gone, will hurt someone.

All the moving parts are also likely in desperate need of lubrication, as previous owners wouldn't have bothered.

Fills up with road dust, tough environment.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

dtcerrato · February 13, 2022, 06:22:27 AM

The simple fold down front bumper on our 4104 is just that - simple! No secondary catches no assist springs for its weight so upon that second bolt coming to its last thread - woe be it to the person not ready for the next frame... Just saying.

Tedsoldbus · February 13, 2022, 07:34:35 AM

I lowered my bumper with one hand but agree not to have your head under it. But maybe from the side when someone wiggles it you might see the hold up. The little catches I talked about hold the secondary door closed that opens into the compartment. I just needed the bumper down for bolt access to put my rubber bumpers on. I opened the compartment door strictly out of curiosity. If you can get the bumper down it is easy to see the catches I am talking about. With bumper up, you almost can't see them.

Bryan · February 13, 2022, 08:00:52 AM

Thank you guys! Trust me I have wiggled and wiggled LOL! I can see that it is only the spring that is holding it. I've got my bus going to the shop later this week so maybe my mechanic will know how to release it. But if anyone else jumps on here and knows, please do tell! Thank you!

robertglines1 · February 13, 2022, 09:15:24 AM

Go to prevostcar.com I think manual P-1082 will cover most of your coach. Play around wirh that site. Some things never never change on prevost base coach. Play around on that site use the last letter in your serial number plus last 4numbers example W-6553..W stands for year 1998. last 4 digits are unit number. Unfortunately that is time of production isn't/hasnot been recorded for some units.

Busted Knuckle · February 13, 2022, 09:22:16 AM

I was hoping Bob would see this and chime in as he has a bus similar to yours.

BK

Bryan · February 13, 2022, 09:30:13 AM

Quote from: robertglines1 on February 13, 2022, 09:15:24 AM
Go to prevostcar.com I think manual P-1082 will cover most of your coach. Play around wirh that site. Some things never never change on prevost base coach. Play around on that site use the last letter in your serial number plus last 4numbers example W-6553..W stands for year 1998. last 4 digits are unit number. Unfortunately that is time of production isn't/hasnot been recorded for some units.

Thank you Bob! Headed to the site now 😁

Tedsoldbus · February 13, 2022, 02:37:16 PM

No spring on my old 1980 bus so probably no help. Sounds like you have a solution in the near future. I will call my Prevost guy in the morning and see if I can send you a simple explanation. Sorry these are sideways but I took them with my phone instead of my camera.
Best of luck. Will PM you if my guy has easy answer about the spring.