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Topic: Belt line Trim Removal (Read 1041 times) previous topic - next topic

Belt line Trim Removal

I have full body paint on my coach. The belt line trim is painted to match so I'm wondering about removing it to remove the fenders. Looking at the various air bag replacement threads, it appears that fender removal is the way to go....if it doesn't screwup the paint. Do any of you with painted coaches remove the trim/fenders, or just tuff out the removal with everything in place?
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #1 –
The pain in replacing air bags is when the top air fitting side is against the bulkhead, like the front air bag.  To save removing our painted fenders, we made access holes to reach the two difficult air fittings & nuts.
I figure that removing painted fenders could work if a razor cut is made lengthwise on the painted molding to cleanly allow removing the molding.  And a vertical molding cut (with Dremel?) will allow removing the molding over just the fender.

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #2 –
Sounds like I may do 3/4, then let FOT, MOT, or someone else do the last 1/4.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #3 –
I talked to Biscuit about this when we were at FOT a few weeks ago. He said remove screws, use razor knife top and bottom as deep as you can. Then prudent use of a plastic & metal putty knife to get it off. DO NOT BEND IT! Biscuit's emphasis. :)

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #4 –
Making a vertical cut will prevent having to bend the trim too much.

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #5 –
I just replaced the drivers-side rear airbag (forward one) with the fender and wheels on. Only the one nut was a pita to get to, but the rest was straightforward. It took me 3 hours, but will go quicker the next time now that I know exactly what is required.

1995 U300SE CAT
Michael
1995 U300SE CAT 3176B Build # 4612 ("Marvin")

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #6 –
Is it possible to do what I used to do with rusted shocks?
After getting four stitches in the heel of my right hand--from falling on a hubcap when the wrench slipped on the shock tower nut I quite easily removed the nuts from both shock shafts with one hand!! (and four Pabst shorties)
The DW held a center punch on the nut. I hit the center punch and then proceeded to cross drill thru the nut. My drill just slightly smaller than the width of the nut. Then I hit the nut/shaft protruding up. It broke off very, very easy.
Would it be possible to access the pesky air bag nut enough to perform the same type operation? Could save a lot of cussing and extra work.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #7 –
Quote from: kenhat –
I talked to Biscuit about this when we were at FOT a few weeks ago. He said remove screws,

Not sure about Toyman's 2003 U270, but our 2003 U320 doesn't have visible screws in the belt moulding like the previous generation coaches....
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #8 –
I have full body paint and take the fenders off without any thought for it going back just like it came off. It is just a mind issue and once you get over it you never think about it again.
I do not remember anyone saying " Look at that poor coach with the cut thru the trim paint" !!!! I replace the trim then clear caulk it.
I would rather do this than lay under coach and battle all day doing a simple thing.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #9 –
Quote from: geomm –
I just replaced the drivers-side rear airbag (forward one) with the fender and wheels on. Only the one nut was a pita to get to, but the rest was straightforward. It took me 3 hours, but will go quicker the next time now that I know exactly what is required.

1995 U300SE CAT
Quote from: geomm –
I just replaced the drivers-side rear airbag (forward one) with the fender and wheels on. Only the one nut was a pita to get to, but the rest was straightforward. It took me 3 hours, but will go quicker the next time now that I know exactly what is required.

Michael...What sockets/extensions did you use for the "hidden nut" ?

Hans

1995 U300SE CAT
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #10 –
The problem with that one nut is the height of the stud. If you put a normal deep socket on it, you have no vertical room left for the ratchet head. Short sockets bottom on the stud. So I searched my tool box and lucked out that I had a box-end wrench a little shorter than a Craftsman, and allowed enough swing arc without running into a frame rail.
That's what was a pain. Another advantage I had was that this Coach has always been in California, so there was no corrosion issue, and it was quite easy to bust that nut loose.
I think the trick before changing the next airbag will be to take a deep socket and shorten it on a bench grinder, or use a cut-off circular saw.
In other words - make a "special tool".
My tool box has a number of those I've had to make over the years.
Michael
1995 U300SE CAT 3176B Build # 4612 ("Marvin")

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #11 –
Michael, couldn't you just center punch the nut, then drill all the way thru with a drill, about the thread dia, then take a hammer and just knock the nut and threaded stud end off? Or isn't there room ?
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #12 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
Michael, couldn't you just center punch the nut, then drill all the way thru with a drill, about the thread dia, then take a hammer and just knock the nut and threaded stud end off? Or isn't there room ?

Kinda off topic for "trim removal" but........

not sure about a unicoach,....... but on a unihome, without removing the fender, you cant hardly get a wrench on the nut much less a drill. Unless you  fabricate a special socket or wrench the best tool to use would be a 3/4" ratchet wrench.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #13 –
Why would my post addressing Michael's post about removing the pesty nut be "OFF- TOPIC"?
Removal of the nut(s) is/are part of the process of replacing the air bag(s) after removing the fender.
I would think suggestions relative to helping simplify the air bag replacement would be relative.
I did not throw in comments that were totally irrelevant.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #14 –
Didn't mean to offend as I was referring to my own comment before I posted it.
Topic was "beltline trim reemoval" and not "air bag removal"
Yes removing the trim and fenders is absolutely relevant to air bag replacement. Makes the job much easier.
Mistake was to use your quote. Sorry.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota
 

Re: Belt line Trim Removal

Reply #15 –
FourTravelers is correct. On my Unihome, a ratchet wrench (but not too long) would be the best tool as long as there was no corrosion present.
Michael
1995 U300SE CAT 3176B Build # 4612 ("Marvin")