I received an email from a Barth owner who has a 1976 21 foot coach and needs idler arms. None of the parts houses sell motorhome rated parts. Any thoughts out there?

I don't have my manual handy for the exact name, but I believe we are talking about the items pictured in the link below. They are the parts that get loose. The OEM numbers are 14013036 and 14013037. At about $200 each for the stock parts, the vastly superior Super Steer tapered roller bearing units are worth the extra money.

http://www.hendersonslineup.com/crank.htm

There is a place that rebuilds them. They used to advertise in the FMCA magazine, but are not in the current issue. Maybe someone with back issues can help. I believe the company was in Iowa. kc_rusty might know, if he is still with

us. I believe he bought front springs from them.

Are Bell Cranks and idler arms the same.

The ones I saw looked like this.



Problem is they have the part number for P-30 chassis 1976 but it says "except motorhome".

I don't know where that owner is, but I've found that Tampa Spring can do just about anything.

Pitman & idler arms for P-30, starting w/ '73, are available at: www.millsupply.com

Question... are chassis parts for 1 ton P-30 StepVan's interchangeable with P-30 motorhome chassis?

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bowers:
I received an email from a Barth owner who has a 1976 21 foot coach and needs idler arms. None of the parts houses sell motorhome rated parts. Any thoughts out there?

Has he tried a Chevy dealer?

I meant to ask this a long time ago but now that the bell crank subject is up again here goes. The first time I looked at the bell cranks I noticed the passenger side one had only 3 of 4 heads on the connecting bolts. Rather than just immediatly freak out I checked a few other P30 sob' and found them all the same. The top right looks as if it was sheared off. Before I go any further I'll take comments.

http://barthmobile.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3631087061/m/...921076461#3921076461

Danny, Mine didn't have a frame hole drilled, so I assume 4 bolts on left and three bolts on right is as-designed....Use of same casting for both bellcrank supports would just be mfg economy I guess.......

I recently purchased my Bell Cranks from CW for $275.00 ea.+ 1.00 s/h. Had them installed locally.You need to have the front end aligned to the Bell Crank specs. Made a world of difference in the handeling..........

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bowers:
Question... are chassis parts for 1 ton P-30 StepVan's interchangeable with P-30 motorhome chassis?

The answer is no. The idler arm you show is different than the one on the motorhome chassis.
The confusion is that some parts are interchangeable and others are not. The bell cranks mentioned should be what he is looking for. Any good GMC/Chevy truck dealer will be able to get them. Or better yet go for the Hendersen Super Steer