Slight Side Bulge

[firebuild]

I noticed today that my bus has a slight bulge out on the passenger side, just ahead of the rear wheel well.

There's nothing that I can see on the interior that could be causing this - I haven't bolted anything in there or anything. For all I know it may have been there all along. I thought I saw it it a few weeks ago but I can only see it really when the light is hitting it just right. Today I ran my hand along the area and you can feel it, though it's not super pronounced.

Anybody have any thought on this? Don't know if you can see it in the photo, but here it is:

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by firebuild

I noticed today that my bus has a slight bulge out on the passenger side, just ahead of the rear wheel well.

There's nothing that I can see on the interior that could be causing this - I haven't bolted anything in there or anything. For all I know it may have been there all along. I thought I saw it it a few weeks ago but I can only see it really when the light is hitting it just right. Today I ran my hand along the area and you can feel it, though it's not super pronounced.

Anybody have any thought on this? Don't know if you can see it in the photo, but here it is:

Attachment 32292

looks to me like damage perhaps sustained in a parking lot

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

looks to me like damage perhaps sustained in a parking lot

It kind of looks like that in the picture, but it's actually smooth and there's no dent in, just a raised area coming OUT.

[o1marc]

If you click on the pic 3 times it will blow it up. Looking at the shadow there is definitely a wave there. Could be oil canning from the rivets in the rub rail keeping the metal from expanding and contracting properly. Does not look like any kind of crash damage as there is no scratches or damage to paint.

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by o1marc

If you click on the pic 3 times it will blow it up. Looking at the shadow there is definitely a wave there. Could be oil canning from the rivets in the rub rail keeping the metal from expanding and contracting properly. Dose not look like any kind of crash damage as there is no scratches or damage to paint.

Hmmm interesting.

[BlackJohn]

I hope Buster isn't coming down with the mumps..check his temperature.


John

[1olfart]

I believe Buster had a little too much Mexican food, and is just a little gassy.

[Ciscokid]

That is weird!! Is there a massive change in the climate in your area? Can you put it in a garage and warm it up see if it comes out of it? Metal contracts and constricts in climate changes but that seems extreme.

Scott

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by Ciscokid

That is weird!! Is there a massive change in the climate in your area? Can you put it in a garage and warm it up see if it comes out of it? Metal contracts and constricts in climate changes but that seems extreme.

Scott

LoL, I'm not ruling out Mexican food. But yes, there is a pretty big temperature change day to day at this time of year. Like, 75 one day and 35 the next. It's driving me nuts.

I have just decided not to worry about it. I know if it was something major somebody here would have experienced it before and be jumping up and down about it.

[Iceni John]

Are any of the side windows leaking water? I'm wondering if water got in during this last winter's heavy rains, and is now swelling some wood or plywood inside the walls. Eagle buses were notorious for rusting badly, and one sign of structural corrosion was bulging of their bodysides where the rust behind the skin was pushing the skin out. Could something similar be happening here? Try tapping the skin and listen for the sound of rust falling inside.

In the yard where I keep my bus there's some POS RV that now has several bulges and waves along its bodysides, and that's almost certainly because rain got inside the walls and is now swelling the wood or cardboard or whatever those things are made of. I can even smell the mold when walking by outside it! Yuk.

John

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by Iceni John

Are any of the side windows leaking water?

Nothing visibly leaking, but... I discovered major rust on the inside top of thre side door, a window away from this bulge. There is a slight bulge in the roof above where the rusty window is. I haven't yet figured out exactly what to do about it.

Nothing sounds (or smells) weird near the other bulge.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by firebuild

Nothing visibly leaking, but... I discovered major rust on the inside top of thre side door, a window away from this bulge. There is a slight bulge in the roof above where the rusty window is. I haven't yet figured out exactly what to do about it.

Nothing sounds (or smells) weird near the other bulge.

Did you thoroughly leak test the bus before the build out?
Sounds like John may be onto something.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Iceni John

Are any of the side windows leaking water? I'm wondering if water got in during this last winter's heavy rains, and is now swelling some wood or plywood inside the walls. Eagle buses were notorious for rusting badly, and one sign of structural corrosion was bulging of their bodysides where the rust behind the skin was pushing the skin out. Could something similar be happening here? Try tapping the skin and listen for the sound of rust falling inside.

In the yard where I keep my bus there's some POS RV that now has several bulges and waves along its bodysides, and that's almost certainly because rain got inside the walls and is now swelling the wood or cardboard or whatever those things are made of. I can even smell the mold when walking by outside it! Yuk.

John

There's a long camper/trailer parked next to my bus with a big ding in the corner through which you can see rotted wood and insulation that is near-black with mold; the whole outside is moldy as well. Why would you pay $200 a month to store something that would probably kill you if you actually spent a night in it?

[skippythedog]

I have an aluminum boat that has irregularities like that in the welded hull because the skin was not braced when welded to the ribs....different shrinkage and expansion rates.

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Did you thoroughly leak test the bus before the build out?
Sounds like John may be onto something.

Yeah, there's no a sign of a leak anywhere except that door, which checked out fine before. I've been in it for a year now.

[EastCoastCB]

Does it have a roof hatch?

I wouldn't sweat a bit of bulging.
My Thomas has some of that going on and its all factory.

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Does it have a roof hatch?

I wouldn't sweat a bit of bulging.
My Thomas has some of that going on and its all factory.

No roof hatch, no.