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| Hey guys - newbie here - I just bought coach #215, and she's in great condition. The problem is my condition! I can't figure out how to remove the headlight bezel so I can replace the headlights. The headlights have been upgraded to the double rectangle lights by the way. And the bezels seem like they are spring loaded, but I didn't want to break anything, not knowing for sure how they come off.
Any help would be appreciated!
Jerome Willis, Fort Worth Texas
817-768-0126
PS. On another subject - and eventhough I have most of the manuals and reading material, my steering gear seems to be bad, because she walks all over the road. About 10' in both directions. Scared me nearly to death when I drove it the 125 miles home the other day. After several discussions with Jim Black, some of the problem was found in the small gears in the tilt steering - but it still too dangerous to really drive anywhere. ANY help on steering gear would be appreciated. Also, I am needing the repair & removal information in the steering gear itself.
Much obliged! | |
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Extreme Veteran
Location: Scottsdale, Aridzona | Welcome Jerry !
The springs engage small holes in the rectangular thin metal clip that holds each headlight. A strong pair of needle nose pliers can release the spring, then a few screws that hold the surround to the "bucket" part. Usually one top and one side screw turn in and out to adjust the "aim" of each light. The springs keep the light back against the "bucket" where ever you have set the "aim" screws. But before you take it all apart, try to see if you can release ONE spring and then put that ONE spring BACK ON.
Steering ? Start at the Search Box in the Yahoo FMC Website. After you have read ALL the entries . . . get under a slightly jacked up front end, and get some one to turn the steering (engine and power steering pump running) slowly back and forth. You want some wheel drag, but it needs to be up so you can get under it. Look for obvious loose parts, stuff that doesn't move when something else does, bind in any of the linkages and ball ends, and movement laterally of either bellcrank/idler. Those two items are only supposed to ROTATE.
The flex joint at the end of the steering shaft where it goes into the power steering box can be worn, but you can only see it easily by taking up the carpet and the "angle box" that is at the drivers feet. That angle box has the hi-lo beam headlight switch in it. Get that box loose and raise it out of the way up toward the steering wheel and you can look below the floor right there and see the joint. No "slop" allowed in that joint. If you are going to change the power steering box itself, you need to remove the L-shaped piece of flooring (about 18" X 24") that the "angle box" mounted to. You'll be able to access all the mount bolts, the flex joint, the pressure and return hydraulic fittings/hoses, and decide where you will detach the steering arm. Park it someplace that it can remain for several weeks, as it might take a "do-it-yourselfer" that long to get it out and a new or rebuilt box installed. I caution you, however, to please determine if you REALLY need to remove/rebuild/replace the Power Steering Box. There is a "SLIGHT" adjustment available in a adjustment screw on the steering box.
Send me a e-mail address and I'll send you some pictures of how I got that floor piece out WITHOUT removing the steering column. Once you have those pics we can talk on the phone about them. Be advised, if the REAR suspension has issues, then it will be hard to "steer/point" the front. Seems everything affects something else to a degree, some times a severe degree.
You need to buy/download/copy the FMC Parts Book and the FMC Service Manual. It is not to early to decide just how much of a mechanic you are, if you have a place and the tools to work on it, or should start looking for a good shop nearby. FMCs are really fun, run good, and are a joy, but are not without component failure/wear, and some reasons to improve a few items in the initial design.
Many of us will be at the Bi-Annual FMC Rally near Larkspur Colorado starting today thru Sat June 30th at the Jellystone Campgrounds. Come up in your car and see at least another dozen FMCs, and we call crawl under them to see what they are about. Hope this was useful.
Lou #120
Edited by hemi354az 2012-06-25 2:00 PM
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Replacing headlights