| Author | Message | ||
| Sean Mormelo (Sventvkg)
Rating: N/A |
For all of you who followed the troubles I had up here dealing with my bus I figured I would post a follow up. I picked the bus up about a week and a 1/2 ago from Alaska Truck. They had installed a 2nd new Air compressor as the first replacement they installed failed within an hour of use. They were supposedly awaiting the warranty to come through for several weeks so I was waiting to pick the bus up, lest I have to pay them the $826 for the labor. I finally got in touch with Michael Kraft after 2 weeks of waiting and he in turn, got a hold of MCI. He found out that Alaska truck had been issued a call tag to return the compressor to MCI for inspection and warranty refund assignment. AK TRUCK NEVER EVEN SENT THE COMPRESSOR BACK!!!! It was sitting in their bay!! I finally had enough of their ineptitude, went down there with check in hand to pick up the bus, the warrantied compressor, and my original compressor for which I was to recieve a $375 core charge back on. I get there and I came to find out they lost my original compressor..So I'm out $375..they just shrugged and said nothing..Then they left the master, chimes, and door master switches on for a few weeks while the bus was sitting and completely killed both batteries..They said they could charge them up and to come back in an hour. I get back and they had blown up one of my batteries and supposedly charged the other..I said no bid deal, just put in a used one for now..I later found out the other remaining battery was in fact completely dead and would not hold a charge. So, I'm out $217 for 2 new batteries and my old batteries were new as well..had ZERO time on them! So, I leave AK truck, call my bank and stop payment on the check I gave them. I didn't feel bad because they had beat me for almost $600 between the batteries and the lost compressor core. Also, I couldn't understand how I owed them any money for warrantied compressor work.. SO I get the bus and finally decided after 3 months AK truck barely did anything and completely ignored a bunch of things I had told them to do like dropping the gas tank to get the gunk out etc...They had been screwing me for a bunch of work the didnt' even do..They did do some things but even so, I went ahead and decided to charge back the entire $4011 I had paid them in labor..It's pending investigation from my bank but I expect it to go through as their ineptitude and non fulfilment of service is easily illustrated to my banker. I expect to have the $$ back in my account within a week. I ended up having to get the tank cleaned out by someone else, as well as a few other tweaks that AK truck didn't do, so I feel warranted. The tow company ordeal is going as follows: Filed a small claims case against them. They answered via an attorney stating they were not liable. Attorney called Monday and tried to offer me $1500 to settle. I said no, I wanted $4000 and that his client had no case..Only his word that he didn't mess my rear end up. I had a manual stating that you have to drop the drive shaft when towing or it can cause damage and 3 witnesses that I shall produce in court, that will swear they witness the bus drive a couple weeks before the tow company towed it. Plus I'm going to have Michael Kraft write a little deposition up of SOP for towing a bus like mine, as well as MCI. I will easily win if we go to court. The attorney wanted me to fax him a copy of where my manual stated to disconnect the drive shaft to talk over with his client. He knows the client did not do it, and the client is contending that he doesn't have to disconnect the shaft, and that he tows busses all the time and never does..All I can say is everyone I know that has trucks, says they ALWAYS pull the axle or disconnect the drive shaft, yet the main tow company up here WEB'S TOWING and RECOVERY never does this!!! I'm tell you all, watch it if you come up to Anchorage and need your bus towed or worked on...People do not know what the heck they are doing to a sever degree, it seems!!! So I exect them to settle next week, or we go to court..I told the attorney that if I had to fly back up for court, I would ask the judge to add on my travel expenses as well. He said I could do that..My thoughts are that he will be recommending that we settle this because if we go to court and they lose it's going to be expensive for them... So, the bus runs outstanding at this point and between yesterday and today I took out all the seats, cleaned it out, etc...Man, that's some back breaking work!!! gonna take it on a long trip this coming weekend...Testing and getting ready for my trip out of Alaska in 3 weeks or so. So the bus is now a killer shell that had over $10K in cash put into it. Gonna head down to Jersey for the summer, rip out the insides, fix any rust, insulate, plywood, refloor, cover some windows, rip out the side door and side stairway and panel over it, get the basic electrical and plumbing systems in...These are the goals for the summer and I have friends and family lined up to help. I think it's doable. So that's the story! I'd like to thank everyone who was there to give me helpful advice and words of encouragement when I needed it and continue to need it! | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Rating: N/A |
Interesting epilogue, Sean. Dunno about Alaska, but here in CA, the guy you've sued's attorney cannot represent him in Small Claims Court. He can advise from afar, but cannot appear in his behalf. FWIW, RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA | ||
| Karl Jones (Karl05eagle)
Rating: N/A |
Im in Anchorage working on a job if you want to get together for coffee and bus talk e-mail me at karljones@mindspring.com | ||
| Don/TX
Rating: N/A |
Interesting, thanks for sharing all that. | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
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Sean - Glad you decided to keep the bus and continue your conversion - Hope springs eternal and all that garbage - but there's no sense abandoning the project - I've found that any project that has that much initial grief usually goes smooth afterword - Good Luck and have a saafe trip - NIles | ||
| Jack Gregg (Jackinkc)
Rating: N/A |
I have always heard that you need to disconnect the drive shaft before towing a bus but I don’t really know to go about it. I would not do it myself but it would be nice to know if the tow truck guys were doing what they are supposed to do. Do you remove universal joints? How is it actually done? Jack | ||
| Don/TX
Rating: N/A |
A much more common method is to remove an axle or axles. Quick, easy to access, don't need a jack or special tools to get under to the driveshaft, and on must buses the rear wheel bearings are lubed by manual grease pack, so you are good to go thousands of miles towing that way. That way the differential gears and driveshaft are not turning at all. | ||
| Sojourner (Jjimage)
Rating: N/A |
You remove drive shaft or axle shafts w/temp cover on automatic trans for towing, because transmission’s oil pump is only turn whenever torque-converter housing turning (engine running) while connected to front trans pump to circulates oil thru bearings & thrust washer. Normally you don’t need remove drive-shaft if engine is running. I am sorry for being short reply! FWIW Sojourn for Christ, Jerry | ||
| R.J.(Bob) Evans (Bobofthenorth)
Rating: N/A |
Jack The easiest way to disconnect for towing is to pull the axles. If you look at the hub on your drive axles there will be a plate that looks like a cover with probably 8, maybe 12 bolts around the circumference. Pull those bolts and pull the plate off, the axle will come out - the cover plate is actually the end of the axle shaft. Find an old plastic oil container and make a cover plate to put back on and you are ready to tow. If the axle won't come out easily once you get the bolts out get the biggest hammer you own and give the centre of the plate one **ll of a smack a couple of times. You don't need to lift the diff or anything like that - just pull the bolts and pull the axles. | ||
| Jack Gregg (Jackinkc)
Rating: N/A |
Don / Jerry / Bob thanks for the answers. This is info that every bus nut should know. Maybe it would be a good idea to fabricate the temporary covers ahead of time – just in case - and carry them with other emergency equipment. Thanks, Jack | ||
| Don/TX
Rating: N/A |
I know someone that did just that. Take a piece of 1/2 plywood, cut a circle, and put some holes in it. Instant cover if ever needed, | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Rating: N/A |
I'm a little slow today RJ, but what you and Don say about covering the end, I'm I correct that the axle is pulled out completely? When I first read your post, for some reason I thought the axle was pulled out only far enough to clear the splines in the differential. How long is the "typical axle" -- about 4 feet? Thanks, Chuck Newman Oroville, CA | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Rating: N/A |
Typical axle is a little over 3 feet long. Pulled completely out for towing, usually stored in a baggage bay until it's re-installed, altho some hook operators will put them in the front entry stairwell. Being pulled completely is the reason for the covers - keeps the oil/grease inside and the crud 'n critters outside. . . RJ (The other one!) PD4106-2784 Fresno CA | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
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Couple of plastic shower caps and big rubber bands works too! That's what the Dollar stores are for.... | ||
| Sojourner (Jjimage)
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David Harley Love your post...LOL I go there few time just to see what $1 supply my need. Good suggestion of shower cap & rubber-band. Sojourn for Christ, Jerry | ||
| R.J.(Bob) Evans (Bobofthenorth)
Rating: N/A |
David: I've seen lots of trucks towed but the shower cap is a new one for me. I'll remember that. The other thing I forgot to mention is capping the exhaust. I don't know whether it matters on a bus but on a highway tractor the good tow operators will cap the exhaust(s) so the turbo doesn't spin dry while in tow. | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
Rating: N/A |
:so the turbo doesn't spin dry while in tow. Ok, I give  Never heard of that, Uh how can a turbo spin if there's no gas (exhaust) pressure to turn it? Just curious There are people out there that will pull a stunt on other unsuspecting people just to be funny. Towtruck drivers are notorious for gags like that. Thier jobs are tough and grueling at times not to mention gruesome. Goes from boredom to shock. A little humor breaks up the day. I don't wanna be a tow truck driver..... | ||
| R.J.(Bob) Evans (Bobofthenorth)
Rating: N/A |
:how can a turbo spin if there's no gas (exhaust) pressure I have to admit it's unlikely but the exhaust and intake valves are (briefly) open together. At that point air could enter the air cleaner and get drawn out the exhaust by venturi action. As I said, I admit it's unlikely but I have seen heavy tow operators who religiously put caps on the exhaust before towing. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Rating: N/A |
Hello towables. In a pinch, a large coffee cup will neatly plug those axle shaft holes. Around town, that's all they'll use. Takes too long to put the caps on. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| R. Steve Nichol (N4rsn)
Rating: N/A |
To the turbo-cappers, I have 10 gallons of turn signal fluid for sale, CHEEP---- HA that is good Steve | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Rating: N/A |
So Steve, I see that you are from 'The show me' state. Air will blow thru a 2 stroke when the engine is off. (The 4 strokes operate differently.) The 'open' cylinder(s) will rust if the exhaust & intake aren't capped as has been discussed on numerous other threads. Will it hurt a turbo? I have no experience here, but IF there was a 'ram air' effect while towing, the turbo would spin. A long haul would not do the bearings any favors. I would take all reasonable precautions that I could. Let's not forget, this thread was started by someone who has suffered the results of a 'professional' repair facility that obviously does not understand how the systems function and why certain precautions need to be taken. The fact that you don't see immediate failure does not prove that no damage was done. However, to each their own. Kyle4501 | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
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When turbo's were first put on heavy machinery and loaded on a lowbed trailer there were turbo failures. It is common practice to stuff a rag or piece of foam in the exhaust pipe when dragging it down the highway. Ron | ||
| DMDave
Rating: N/A |
Hey Sean, let us know when you get to jersey. I would make a trip over the bridge. I would like to check out a 5c. You have the 6v71? I was wondering how you liked that power set up. Ok have a safe trip Dave in NY | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
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And Jet engines when shipped by truck were kept spinning to avoid flattened bearings. | ||
| FAST FRED Rating: N/A |
"And Jet engines when shipped by truck were kept spinning to avoid flattened bearings." The old (really old now ) P2V-7 has 2 small jet engines mounted on the rocket pods to assist really short field takeoffs. They were fed 115-145 octane from the fuel tanks , and had little closing doors , so when on Patrol the jet engines could NOT windmill from the air flow. FAST FRED | ||
| R. Steve Nichol (N4rsn)
Rating: N/A |
By Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501) (65.23.106.193) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 1:17 pm: Edit Post So Steve, I see that you are from 'The show me' state. Air will blow thru a 2 stroke when the engine is off. (The 4 strokes operate differently.) The 'open' cylinder(s) will rust if the exhaust & intake aren't capped as has been discussed on numerous other threads. Will it hurt a turbo? I have no experience here, but IF there was a 'ram air' effect while towing, the turbo would spin. A long haul would not do the bearings any favors. I would take all reasonable precautions that I could. Kyle: If you were a amature radio operator, you would see (N4RSN),is an amature call sign, and the address is in the great city of Fellsmere, Florida http://www.qrz.com/callsign Missouri is a temp. Home. However, you are correct, it the fact a 2 cycle Detroit, will have a cylinder open, However, there should not be to much concern, unless the vechicle is being transported a long distance,and has a ram air intake system, as the air will not be forced through the air system and out the exhaust. However, It is a good policy to take EVERY step for protection. I still have some turn signal fluid for sale, and you don't have to add sales tax, unless you are in Florida. Steve | ||
| Phil Dumpster Rating: N/A |
I've got some muffler bearings sitting here on the shelf ready to go, keep them next to the left handed screwdrivers. Even when shut off there is still some residual oil left on the turbo bearings. Given that the turbine shape in the exhaust flow is optimized for gas expansion as opposed to gas flow, any pressure differential possible from towing might turn the turbo shaft at maybe 60 RPM or so. The oil in the bearings would be more than adequate to keep things lubricated under these conditions. I think this is more a case of wanting to look like one is doing the right thing just for the sake of looking like they are doing the right thing. Years ago in college my electronics instructor insisted we use heatsinks whenever soldering to semiconductors, never mind that in most situations they weren't necessary. | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
Rating: N/A |
I gave up my soldering iron when the chips got so small I needed a microscope to see the leads. I guess I classify as a 16-Pin DIP.... Now it's a Plasma Cutter and Sawzall... At least I can see when I screw up.... | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Rating: N/A |
The only time I replaced a differential on a pickup, I needed an axle puller for the axles. Is it safe to presume the heavy two operators (except Alaska) carry axle pullers? Or is a puller not required on bus axles? Thanks, Chuck Newman Oroville, CA | ||
| FAST FRED Rating: N/A |
Or is a puller not required on bus axles? If the pickup is auto not truck style you need the puller. On truck and bus rear ends where the bearings are out in a housing , the axle just needs unbolting and a good whack to get it started out. Many have tapered cones round each bolt that holds really tight , and the inward whack with a 3# hammer jars them loose. FAST FRED | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
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Hi Steve, Good luck selling the turn signal fluid. I hope you did not have to pay too much for it. IF I had bought something that useless, I would not want everyone here to know about it. Oh wait, seems like I did buy something like that (according to some, a PD4501 is useless), so nevermind. Phil, I sure wish that I had the shelf space for left hand screw drivers & muffler bearings! The bus stretcher & smoke shifter take up too much room. (That was a really good salesman, nice and honest.) As far as taking precautions go, I have been caught by Murphy enough to make me overly cautious. As for now, I'll continue to stumble onward, hopefully forward, through the fog. kyle4501 | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
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Kyle, You didn't end up with PD4501 #598 did you? Took me 2 years to find someone to haul it off! I like the scenicruisers but found that you need a really big warehouse bay for it to fall apart in while you rebuild everything. Darned thing kept running low on turn signal fluid.!!! | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
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Drdave, No, I did not get #598. It was to expensive for me to move that far, even if it had been free. The trick is to have 2 4501's, that way you have one for storage & one to take apart. You also have the second one to show what it is supposed to look like if you ever get to put anything back on. I prefer to keep everyone guessing & not use the turn signals (& I don't need the fluid), But the wife says it's because I don't know where I'm going. It seems everyone must think I'm lost since they keep telling me where to go ;^) Sighhhhhhhhhhhh, kyle4501 | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
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The guy that took # 598 had it trailered from Central Florida to Atlanta. Oh about $2,800.00 I basically gave him the bus for $500, I had just spent over $3,000 on it in the span of 6 months and it even survived 3 hurricanes with no damage, But it started approaching to much of a project for me physically. So I bought a NJT MC9 which already ran and am messing "note: messing" with that now. I opted for more interior space that I could work with over having gigantic bays like the cruiser had. Actually the MC9 has more room overall with a lot less to have to work around to make stuff fit. The only thing that I will miss is that huge honkin 12 volt alternator that was on the cruiser. |