This Right Drive side of my bus needing reframing will be very lengthy for recording all that was done. My suggestion from here on out with my post would be to look at the photos 1st and then read my write ups and explanations, if you wish because of my lengthy explanation of all the posts I make in the future. This is only so you will not get bored with my explanations which I hope do explain most thoroughly what each post is about.
This post is on the right side drive wheel repair / reinforcing / replacement of the wheel well framing. This took about 3 months to do because of the amount of rotted steel framing throughout this part of my bus. This is where the REAL Challenge begins, for me.
I am first showing photos of the right drive wheel well area before cleaning up for you all to see how abused this vehicle was for many, many years I am sure. Look closely to appreciate the fruits of my labor just to clean this wheel well so a plan can be considered over time.
After cleaning up this area you can see some of the actual damage done just to my torpedo air brake tanks which showed rusted out pits through the tank at the strapping area. These two original important air tanks are horrible and need to be replaced.
Take a gander at the Drive Shaft B4 cleanup, just horrible. My left torsilastic shock was dented in preventing the shock from actually working. The Torsilastic shackle support box was rusted out with very little wall thickness which means the two shackle boxes need replacing. Nothing, absolutely nothing looks good to me. Talk about discouraged, Jesus!! Note: lots of these areas were covered with sheet metal making this damage hidden from being seen. The worst ones you will see were covered.
The original air brake valve compartment between both drive wheels is just loaded with dirt and debris with no idea if any of them are leaking etc. This had to be cleaned and new air valves installed in this area as I was also going to install (Air Throttle) for my acceleration with new air lines and all connections needed. This area took much planning and figuring out how and what to do. You have no idea what was involved in figuring this out, it took many days of thinking and staring over and over to get another plan like always in the past.
The outer aluminum skin was removed as in all wheel well areas and no way was I disappointed at what I saw. Nothing but rusted out areas and serious thought is needed here also as to how to attack this area and be safe and have the bus reinstalled with full integrity and strength. It sure was not that way when purchased without close inspection.
I expose photos of Major Vertical Frame Rust & Rot which is now visible after all cleanup. This is where the serious frame replacement starts and you have to do much planning, thinking and cutting etc. to begin to install integrity in this part of the drive wheel well. You can follow the actual removal of all this horrible rusted out framing which connects both the drive wheel well and framing area for the back Generator Compartment. Much rework had to be done to make new shackle boxes and this will be explained in the next post.
All wheel well reframing was done one piece at a time, all new framing weas tack welded before seal welding anything together to check for realignment and you just can’t rush this part of the job.
The drive wheel stabilizer rod was discovered to be welded in position so that no adjustment was possible. Good God, this rod needs machining and the threaded portion needs to be replaced and all this sucks!
The new wheel well hoop that is 1 ½” square tubing was rolled by machine and now I have to replace it into position, tack weld and prepare to weld all new metal installed in the wheel well framing.
A newly designed frame is made to house the new air tank that will be used for the beginning of the entire air brake system.
Finally in this area you will see the finished product with paint on it to protect all this frame repair and installation of stronger integrity also in this area. The main framing that was replaced was needed for safety of the bus and others as well, the entire drive wheel suspension system could easily had failed causing possible death if you think of this as you visualize all this metal failure. You now see the drive wheel well area all painted with the new air tank framing all enclosed with aluminum diamond plate access cover.
The end of this post shows the outside of the drive wheel area with all new smooth skins and primered for protection and looking really good, to me. I was so pleased with the outcome.