[Richard]

I am waiting anxiously to hear about the drive when you get it all back together. Replacing the panhard bar on mine made a big difference in straight line stability.

[BusNit]

Mine had torn grease seals but the joints do not necessarily feel loose. The tie rod end can be moved by hand though but there’s no real slop.
Hopefully this may keep the steering wheel from being constantly corrected.

[BusNit]

I can't work in heat like that! Don't know how anyone can get anything done down there where you live.

I do not have a choice. With an upcoming trip in a few weeks it was do or die. The threads on the old tie rod were knackered so there was no turning back. Aside from that, you get used to the heat. Pick a poison. Humid at 90° or dry air at 110°. Same crap at the end of the day. Also the pit is shaded with no concrete radiating heat. On exterior work, I can work on the passenger side in the mornings and the driver side in the afternoons. Just a matter of adapting and doing. I can’t sit still and my determination is what keeps me going even to the detriment of my body.

[Latitude 28]

I can't work in heat like that! Don't know how anyone can get anything done down there where you live.

I do not have a choice. With an upcoming trip in a few weeks it was do or die. The threads on the old tie rod were knackered so there was no turning back. Aside from that, you get used to the heat. Pick a poison. Humid at 90° or dry air at 110°. Same crap at the end of the day. Also the pit is shaded with no concrete radiating heat. On exterior work, I can work on the passenger side in the mornings and the driver side in the afternoons. Just a matter of adapting and doing. I can’t sit still and my determination is what keeps me going even to the detriment of my body.

Jack, 
I can't do heat either.....the garage with doors on each end gives me a nice breeze and shading.  Like Simon I pick my projects.  

Simon, 
Would love a pit like yours in my garage....except, here in FL, I would bet a month's wages that on any given day there would be a Corral-headed-copper-mouth-rattle-mocasin lurking in the corner some where!

[BusNit]

Steve, I worry about similar but the only thing I have found in the pit were baby birds and baby rabbits. A lizard or two. So far all harmless that I could use my hands to get them out and safe. Having said that, I always check before going full bore into the pit!

[BusNit]

Today was welding day. I'm still not 100% feeling well but I wanted to be at a certain completion point which was parts painted for install on Tuesday. I say Tuesday since I want them to be fully handleable. Parts are painted and hanging off a Mesquite tree. Had to fight the ants off with some brake cleaner which redirected them elsewhere. There were two shims behind the chassis mount. In hindsight, I could have lengthened the bar by 3/16" and removed the shims but I am not that smart so they will go back in.

[BusNit]

Bar is installed but not without some minor issues. I had removed and sent out the shifter for repair to Texas. That said I had an open flare hose dangling. Why this matters is because I needed to air up the coach to lean it a little bit so I could get that little bit of a fit on the tie rod tapered end into the diff. I plugged the flared fitting of the hose with a piece of rubber glove and an ill fitted fitting to keep the air loss somewhat controllable while I pumped up the tanks using shop air. Worked brilliantly once I leaned the coach to the right. Bar is in and tight. I will drive it around a bit and check the tightness of the tie rod end once the shifter comes back. One less thing off the list. I wanted to beat the 114º forecasted heat and did this before heading out the door.

[Jack Houpe]

Good job Simon, your coach looks brand new from the top to the bottom. Thumbs up!

[BusNit]

Thanks Jack! I know, I've got mental issues to be cleaning and painting the underside of a 30 year old bus. It's covered in typical AZ dust and I'll clean it after the return on the next trip.

[encantotom]

i have seen it several times and it does look like new.

tom