04-23-2023, 09:55 AM
So We also repaired a broken shock mount at the front right corner. I forgot to get after pics sorry.
The repair was simple enough. Removed the mount from the bus. Cleaned up the joint area then beveled the joint to allow for a full penetration weld. I used the All Aboard America Millermatic 35 (great machine BTY no made anymore, they are hard to kill highly recommend them) their shielding gas regulator had a blown diaphragm. Me being the goofy welder dude with a welder on the bus, I pulled out my regulator and set to welding. I used the bolt to align the holes and tacked it. Then I tapped the bolt a few time to make sure the bolt would pass easily then added a tack on the opposite corner. Then started welding. I used a combination of vertical up and flat position. Once one side was welded I used a die grinder with a .045 thick cutting disc from the other side, grinding till I reached the bottom of the first weld. Rechecked the bolt alignment and welded the freshly ground side. Rinse and repeat the other two sides.
In looking at the front suspension framing (the bits that the A arms attach to) shows how hand made these busses are. The materials used are less automotive looking and more structural steel looking in the materials used and the hand cut nature of the access holes. You can see this in the video near the 0.05 mark.
That's all for now.
Happy to be on the road again.
The repair was simple enough. Removed the mount from the bus. Cleaned up the joint area then beveled the joint to allow for a full penetration weld. I used the All Aboard America Millermatic 35 (great machine BTY no made anymore, they are hard to kill highly recommend them) their shielding gas regulator had a blown diaphragm. Me being the goofy welder dude with a welder on the bus, I pulled out my regulator and set to welding. I used the bolt to align the holes and tacked it. Then I tapped the bolt a few time to make sure the bolt would pass easily then added a tack on the opposite corner. Then started welding. I used a combination of vertical up and flat position. Once one side was welded I used a die grinder with a .045 thick cutting disc from the other side, grinding till I reached the bottom of the first weld. Rechecked the bolt alignment and welded the freshly ground side. Rinse and repeat the other two sides.
In looking at the front suspension framing (the bits that the A arms attach to) shows how hand made these busses are. The materials used are less automotive looking and more structural steel looking in the materials used and the hand cut nature of the access holes. You can see this in the video near the 0.05 mark.
That's all for now.
Happy to be on the road again.
1998 Coach 484
1997 Suzuki Sidekick toad.
Cheers.