Trans oil cooler leak potential at brackets - pics

[Upinsmoke]

Hi, I saw in a previous post either here or IRV2 about a potential leak in the aluminum lines on either end of the trans cooler where the bracket mounts.

After looking at it, I do believe that the road vibration between the steel bracket and aluminum lines could be a problem spot. What I would like to do is remove the brackets without disconnecting the lines and then check for wear and put some sort of protection between them - hopefully preventing an on-the-road breakdown.

I was wondering if anyone remembers the post or may have done this themselves? The real question is how to get a wrench/socket on the bolt head with out disconnecting the lines. I searched online and couldn't find anything except related to the V-10 pickup trucks.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Eagle5]

Hi Upinsmoke,
As your motorhome is approaching ten years old, it may be time to change the coolant. I like the Universal coolants out now; very good stuff. How about draining the radiator and removing it, and then you can get into those mounting bolts.
Eagle5

 

[Upinsmoke]

Eagle 5, great suggestion but, naturally, I had it done just last year!

If I have to, I'll drop a line or two and just try to plug them and refill any fluid lost.

If it's worthwhile, I'll report back here how it goes.

Thanks

 

[Eagle5]

You can also drain the radiator coolant into a clean bucket, and then just pour it back it when you're done. I have had to do that on a couple of occasions.

 

[Morich]

I have to look at how they put things together and then reverse the process.
We see the bolt holding the tubes to the metal strapped were likely run in from the bottom side and before the whole was placed on the rest.
So what holds those metal straps to the rest of the body?

In the second picture, at tope left, do we see a rusty nut that might be what holds the strap? Maybe room to remove that nut with a rachet wrench instead of the normal rachet and socket THEN take the strap off the tubes?
Or possibly just a bolt/nut holding the strap from above?
Click snip to see better!


Swing out as a unit and THEN remove straps?

 

[Upinsmoke]

So a little progress on the project. Morich, while you are correct about the bolt and nut, it turned out to be easier(?) to get at the original bolt in question.

I was able to bend those two "L" shaped brackets forward enough to just get a 10mm socket in there, being careful of the other fins behind it. I soaked the bolt with WD & 556 and let it sit for a couple of days and although very tight, the bolts finally gave in.

I will be working on cleaning and paint all of the bracket and hardware, but also cleaning the entry and exit tubing. I'll use 000 steel wool or something else mild on the aluminum. There are a few marks on it but not bad. I'll also add a buffer between the tubing and the bracket hanging down. Not sure what just yet, maybe a cut to fit old inner tube or something.

When I'm finished, I'll post a few pics of what I did and how it turned out.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Morich]

I could guess that you were one to actually do something!
If a guy makes excuses first and looks later, there's a good chance he's a talker and not a doer!
We just need to give each other a little push at times!

 

[Upinsmoke]

Project is finished, and I wanted to report back on how things went.

Once I got it apart, I did find slight wear marks or the aluminum tubing. I'm not sure if would have ever worn through enough to be a problem but I dressed it up none the less. I wire brushed, primed and painted all of the steel parts and used 000 steel wool to polish up the aluminum tubing.

When I reassembled it, I used magnetic vinyl strips as a buffer between the bracket and tubing. It turned out okay and I'll do a driving test run here before too long and make sure it's good to go.

I'll add a couple of pics to show process.

 

[Morich]

Good deal! Got any of that stuff I could add to my knee?
The only folks I talk to about it want to cut things out and I'm against that !

 

[Eagle5]

Hi Upinsmoke,
Looks very good!
Eagle5