How do you safely lift a tag axle for changing on a MC8?

[Paladin]

I'm getting ready to take off a tire and wheel from the tag. Before I do this I wanted to ask for input for safety and ease from those who are more familiar and I'm also trying to look it all up in da book right now too.
How best should I pull off a tag? Do I need to chain the axle up too or just lift the bus just enough to get it clear? Where are the jack points, I'm not seeing them in the book now but I know I saw them once somewhere.
I imagine the main axle duals will keep the bus from coming down on me but I don't want chances. 
(Yeah, I'm more than a little afraid to climb in there so I want to do it safe)

While I'm asking, how best to take off the duals when I get around to that?


Also, while I was looking in the book I saw a couple of things that aren't real familiar to me. One is Molybdenum Disulfide Grease. Two others are Molykote #DC-55M and Lubriplate #105
Are these available from Napa, are they cross referenced to another equal substitute?   


Thanks in advance!

-Dave

[JackConrad]

  To remove a tag wheel, first turn off the tag axle air bag (the valves just inside the side engine compartment door on the passenger side).  Look under the tag axle and you will see a piece about 1 1/2" in diameter that sticks down below the tag axle.  That is the jacking point. Don't forget to break loose the lug nuts before jacking the wheel off the grond.
  To jack the drive axle there is a similar looking jacking point on the axle beam that the drive axle attaches to in front of the axle almost directly under the front airbag on the axle beam.
NEVER GET UNDER YOUR BUS WITHOUT BLOCKING IT!!!
Can't help with your grease question.  Jack

[Frank @ TX]

Hi Paladin,
The way I do it is a little different than Jack's.
The bus should have come with "run up ramps".
They are about 3' long , I carry two.
Place a ramp just in front of the inside driver.
Drive the bus up onto the ramp ( watch not to drive right off it ).
The tag should now be up off the ground or just about off the ground.
Set the parking brake and follow the rest of Jack's advice.
Once the tag is jacked up CHAIN IT.
Good luck
Frank

[makemineatwostroke]

Sometime back I read a post on the BNO from a busnut looking for that type grease and Pep Boys of all places was the only parts store that stocked it the brand was Mobilegrease xhp 222 Special a corrison control grease

[junkman42]

Lubriplate 105 can be had at a outboard dealer maybe west marine, it is a common white grease used for choke cams and other parts like door strikers.  The moly cote is available from industrial dealers and is a good grease for sliding seals like air cylinders etc.  John

[bowmaga]

How long has it been since those lugs have been off?  My 135 psi compressor w/ a 1" gun, wasn't near tough enough to break them loose on my MC9.  I actually went into town to a local truck shop and paid them to drive out with a service truck and break them loose. it took them about 10 minutes, mostly getting the hoses and gun around.  It took me 2 days, prior to that, to get 4 off.  Also, the threading might be different on each side. Left handed threads on one side, right handed on the other side.  That took me a couple hours to figure out.  I had my bus up on ramps and 12 ton bottle jacks under the jacking points.  Lots of PB Blaster, have the air dumped at the rear valves...a case of beer, and maybe someone to help with the tire...cause they are freaking heavy.  You're good to go then.


Good Luck.
Greg

[Paladin]

It's been ages since the lug nuts were off and I had to work at them. Lot's of PB soak and on this one tag some heat too but they're finally all broken loose. I used my IR 2131qt which is a 1/2" drive and it did well as long as my air supply was kept up. I had to let the compressor catch up now and then.

I did manage to get the wheel off and back on again, those things are heavy!!!
(Oh my achin' old man back!!)


Thanks guys!