You win some, you lose some.

[TexMedium]

I started work on a 2002 GMC Savana 3500 today. Mainly for a air conditioner failure, but the rear bumper was swiss cheese, too. I started with that. Every single fastener unscrewed with just a squirt of PB and a ratchet! I was speechless. Don't worry, speechless doesn't last long for me. Moving on to the hard lines for the AC, wait, that brake pipe looks horrible. Not a real surprise, i'd replaced all of the fronts a few years ago. Well, a little wiggle and i got a leaker, oh, well. But the real issue is extracting the AC pipes. I think i know where i am headed, but i really do not want to separate the frame from the body. Does anyone have any insight? Maybe some method i am not seeing. Any and all help appreciated.

 

[jonesg]

I started work on a 2002 GMC Savana 3500 today. Mainly for a air conditioner failure, but the rear bumper was swiss cheese, too. I started with that. Every single fastener unscrewed with just a squirt of PB and a ratchet! I was speechless. Don't worry, speechless doesn't last long for me. Moving on to the hard lines for the AC, wait, that brake pipe looks horrible. Not a real surprise, i'd replaced all of the fronts a few years ago. Well, a little wiggle and i got a leaker, oh, well. But the real issue is extracting the AC pipes. I think i know where i am headed, but i really do not want to separate the frame from the body. Does anyone have any insight? Maybe some method i am not seeing. Any and all help appreciated.

Not gmc but on my ford van the lines rotted, rather than lift the body i cut the lines and made a loop with hose and clamps, the rear unit is non functional . If you want to keep the rear unit working try some flex line.?

 

[TexMedium]

Yeah, actually, that IS the plan. I've got a hose maker locally who says that if he can match ends to connect to the AC unit it self, he can make flexible hoses for the entire run. I was just kind of hoping to get them out intact so he can have an accurate "pattern" to work from. He is thinking in the $300-$500 range for the entire replacement set. The "Chebie Store" parts guy quoted over $1200 American for OEM replacements. He told me the good news was the parts did not exist in any GM inventory anyway, so he could not take my money. He is such a special guy.