Eagle 5 stuck east of Orlando

[richard5933]

Posting for another bus nut (Jason) who is stuck east of Orlando right now in his Eagle 5. Seems his clutch linkage has broken in the rear - something in the connection between the rod and the clutch arm near the adjusting nut & jam nut. The nut and jam nut were just floating around and he tried to figure it out he realized that there was a broken piece. Result is he cannot disengage the clutch to shift out of neutral.

New-to-him bus, so he's not familiar with it. No manuals with him, so the pages on clutch adjustment would be great if someone can post the pages here. With enough information, he's hoping to be able to McGiver something to allow him to at least get to a shop.

If anyone is near that area and is able to lend him a hand PM for his phone number.

That's all I got. Hope someone can help.

[DoubleEagle]

It would help if he could tell us what the serial number of his bus is. There are several configurations in the manuals depending on when it was made. His access hatch in the center rear will need to be opened to make it easier to get to linkages and see what is wrong (combined with crawling underneath). He might have an air assisted version. I think there is more chance that some connection got loose and wiggled off, rather than something breaking.

[DoubleEagle]

Looks like his situation is being resolved on BGM, and welding will be needed (or a new clutch arm).

[richard5933]

Looks like his situation is being resolved on BGM, and welding will be needed (or a new clutch arm).

We spoke on the phone a short time ago, and apparently the broken piece is not in the diagrams in his parts book.

Do you a photo of what the thing is supposed to look like properly installed? Or a manual page with a diagram?

[DoubleEagle]

We spoke on the phone a short time ago, and apparently the broken piece is not in the diagrams in his parts book.

Do you a photo of what the thing is supposed to look like properly installed? Or a manual page with a diagram?

That's where the serial number is needed. Between the Model 01 and 05's, I count five different setup's. Model 05's were made in two countries (at least). The digital manual he got might not go into detail for his particular Eagle. One manual does not cover all situations. Multiple original manuals are best because somebody could have used older or newer parts to fix the bus during it's lifetime. If I know the serial number then I can point out what it originally was, at least.

[richard5933]

VIN is: 059170341001

He's got the part welded up but can't figure up how it's supposed to be oriented when put back in place.

If someone can reach out to him directly please send me PM and I'll send his phone number.

[gotham_engineering]

I am alive. I have a welded part that will get me home, although, most likely not much further.  Clutch has been adjusted and the alignment issue resolved.  In the dark it appeared that the linkage was moving in a different direction which made the part look out of place.  This morning with less shadowing and  a clearer view everything clicked.  Huge shout out to all of those who helped me out with information.  Thankfully, I'm only a few miles from home in the bus.  I didn't want to risk the drive home tonight so I will pick it up tomorrow.  This was supposed to be my 'maiden voyage' and I didn't even get the water hooked up.

[luvrbus]

The clutch has been changed from the pull type double disk type to the push type mushroom a common practice on a 05 for cost reasons  500.00 vs 1500.00 bucks 

[DoubleEagle]

VIN is: 059170341001

He's got the part welded up but can't figure up how it's supposed to be oriented when put back in place.

If someone can reach out to him directly please send me PM and I'll send his phone number.

I called Jason and talked with him about the VIN, which does not make sense, as the serial numbers were four digits back then. I told him about the location of the VIN stamped on the frame at the rear. He says that number was on a plate behind the driver's seat, and he will take a picture of it tomorrow. In any event, he will be able to move the bus tomorrow, but he has doubts about the repair. The part that broke may have been cast iron.

[luvrbus]

Walter I think that bus is serial number 9170,I recall it was the State of Ky that would screw with the 4 digit serial number 

[DoubleEagle]

Walter I think that bus is serial number 9170

That number might make sense manual-wise for parts, my manual dated 12-1972 shows number 8948 (and presumably on up), but that whole long number seems odd for a early 05 from Belgium. I wonder what is stamped on the frame. I believe he said his Eagle is a 1969, which would seem to have a lower serial number. As Norris said, "Eagles are what they are". My 1975 Model 05 is #9537, but it was assembled in Brownsville.

[gotham_engineering]

Walter I think that bus is serial number 9170,I recall it was the State of Ky that would screw with the 4 digit serial number

Can confirm this bus was titled in Kentucky in 03 for sure.  That is as far back as I can document the history.  Previous owner found more history of the bus somewhere on the internet including a band that toured in it for years but so far I have come up empty.  I understood it to be in passenger service until somewhere around 1985. 

[DoubleEagle]

9170 might be it, but is there any sign of that number on the frame in the back? There is a number on the casting that broke that is not completely visible in the picture, what is that?

The second manual picture that 6805eagleguy (Mason) sent you on BGM is the only representation I have seen in any of my older manuals that shows the layout of the linkage of the clutch controls with the air assist. The part that broke is the clutch throw-out lever, but I do not find an accurate depiction of the part in any of the sections of three different manuals from the sixties to seventies. The best hope is matching up your part casting number with another one. When it is drier here, I can crawl under my 05 to see what my release lever looks like. Pictures attached, it is definitely longer than yours, twice as long with a return spring.

Another thought is that given the state of your linkage, it might be wise to check your throw-out bearing and clutch disc. The Eagles of that period just used 17" single disks.

Knowing what your original serial number is remains important to know, but it will not help in this situation. You simply need to match up your part with another that will fit. BCM and BGM are very useful, but don't forget the Eagles International website.

[DoubleEagle]

Here is the other half. It looks like it reads Carlson Co.,Wichita, Kansas. Looks like the the adjustment arm is the same as yours, casting #C123C, with a safety wire to keep it in place if it got loose. I was thinking it was all one piece, now I see how it goes. I have not stuck my head in there in the last twenty years, and the manuals do not show it in detail.

[gotham_engineering]

https://eaglesinternational.net/eagle-production-records

After looking here it is unlikely this serial is 9170.  It definitively was in Kentucky at one point in it's live, but it looks like all of the identifying markings are either gone or covered in some fashion. So I will keep digging.  I sure wish I knew the previous owners user name.  I am SURE they were on this board somewhere, but I have had zero response in the handful of messages I sent.