It seems to me that there could be a child board (if that is the right term), maybe under classifieds that lists who needs or has available for loan some special tool that is needed for our coaches. Case in point since I was on the hunt for the Sheppard pitman arm puller, of which there seems to be 3 or 4 floating amongst forum members available for loan, it occurred to me that knowing who currently has the tool and perhaps where it is going next could be posted on a board, so that a member in need could see who to contact to get in the cue. As it is, one has to sift through posts for mention of the tool and as most of those trans actions take pace via PM, it can be difficult to know who to contact. Just a thought... As I see it working, I would simply post that I have it and expect to be finished with it by such and such a date. When somebody replied that they wanted it, I would message the owner of the tool and let them know where it was headed next, subject to their veto. Just spitballing here... Any thoughts?
Don
Second the idea. If someone is near me they could borrow quite a few specialty tools. 600 lb torque wrench, tool to support it and the tire and wheel remover to save some time. 20 ton air jack and other items.
I have a FTZ cable lug crimper, 6 ga to 4/0. Some technique needed for best results. I can loan it or make cables for you.
Is there a pitman arm removal tool available? I plan on removing my steering gear box the first week of January and sending it to Redhead for a rebuild. No leaks at this point but I have scheduled trip coming in March and one more thing off the list during winter.
Greg
I have one, but intend to use it when I return from the Q. If you can't get another one before Jan. I will ship it to you and you can ship it back after doing yours.
Thanks Craneman I'll keep you posted ^.^d
I made 3 more as a back up.. So if everyone is incognito I can ship one out.. ^.^d
Thanks David for the offer and taking time to make a few spares and help your fellow man.
Let's see if someone is finished using one and needs to move it along to the next lucky winner.
Greg
I'm having a heck of a time trying to find some one to splice an air conditioning line for the front (dash) air. Amazon has one for $138.00 but I thought why not try here first. It's the hose on top of the valve cover.
So ,,what I need is the crimping tool for high pressure AC hose. Anybody??
They make a double barbed fitting that uses hose clamps specifically for A/C hoses. I will post a pic of one if I can find it in the shop.
This is the clamps still looking for the aluminum barbed connector.
BARBED A/C FITTING HOSE CLAMPS FOR PUSH ON FITTINGS W/ GUIDE BAR 6-8 HOSE 4... (https://www.ebay.com/itm/BARBED-A-C-FITTING-HOSE-CLAMPS-FOR-PUSH-ON-FITTINGS-W-GUIDE-BAR-6-8-HOSE-4-pc-/311112363714)
Thanks Chuck.
I may have to go that route, but I'm holding out hope that I could get them crimped if possible. I did go out and buy one of the battery cable crimpers for completing my solar / lithium install. That worked out real well and it paid for itself in convenience alone. But on this thing I prolly only need the one fitting.
So far I've found one place that "says" they can portably crimp on the vehicle. Mac's radiator in Salem Oregon is the shop but they want $225.00 alone to diagnose the problem. Trouble is the dash air system in our coach hasn't run for over 12 years ( us and previous owners ) so I thin I've got a challenge on my hands.
HF has vacuum pumps and our "bargain barn" has one for $30. You can then evacuate the system. I usually put the receiver/dryer in the oven for a few hours to get all the moisture out. You can then fill it yourself. I would go with Chuck's fitting so your total cost would be minimal.
Pierce
Thanks Pierce.
And why not..... try the fitting first. I'm also wondering if it would be wise to extend the hard plumbing ( metal ) farther so as to not have the hose component on top of the hot engine. As long as I'm cutting and splicing things ??? Opinions
When I got the coach the air cond. compressor was toast and I didn't know if any of the shrapnel had got in the system. I removed the expansion valve and blew air through the system both directions. A trick I learned working on auto a/c's was to pull vacuum and if it didn't hold, I have a fitting I made up to hook up shop air to the system. Then using dish soap water leak check solution start spraying at all the connections and the condenser fins and fittings. After finding leaks I would purge with a small amount of refrigerant before pulling vacuum. Not epa approved but I wanted to get all the air out first. I have used the barbed connectors on many auto's and my Monaco without any leaks. There seems to be a lot of unhappy members that have not had success getting the coach a/c working. Mine works fine at this time. I changed the expansion valve, drier filter and the compressor along with the condenser fan to get mine up and running. I never found any leaks on this one.
Bob if the line is removable I can make up hi pressure crimps but it is a stand alone machine that needs a forklift to move. Too big too carry. Can do up to #20 size lines as I recall.
Scott
When I was working at Lazy Days in Tampa we had a hand held hydraulic crimper for ac lines.
The local parts store had one that I borrowed that you used a impact wrench and socket to do the crimp. It had different dies for different size hose connectors. Bob you might check with NAPA store they may have something like that.
Chris
Thanks Chris.
I have checked the local NAPA and no such luck. They do have 1/2 of the parts I need for the splice, that is the barbed fitting but no hose clamps of said fitting. I'm hopping that I can use there fitting and maybe Chucks hose clamps.
The latest wrinkle is that NAPA ( huge long established and well stocked ) store has a huge assortment of parts but nothing that matches the connection to the current ( broken ) AC pump. I told them when I receive the new pump I will bring it in to match things up. Problem will become the old line that needed nothing will likely not fit the new pump.
If I have to I will replace the entire AC line front to rear but I'm saving that as a last resort.