Technical Information

OVERVIEW





This program involves the relocation of the upper fuel tank protection bracket on the LH frame rail. See Figure 1 (the school bus body and body mounts have been removed for clarity).

SERVICE PROCEDURE

NOTE:
The school bus body and body mounts have been removed for clarity.

NOTE:
E-350 shown in all figures, E-450 similar.





1. Relocate the upper fuel tank protection bracket. See Figure 2.

^ Remove and discard the fuel tank protection bracket bolt.

^ Position the fuel tank protection bracket toward the front of the vehicle.

^ Remove and discard the J-clip from the frame rail. The J-clip will NOT reach the intended bolt hole location.

^ Slide the fuel tank protection bracket rearward toward the crossmember to the intended location.

Align the bracket bolt hole with the intended bolt hole in the frame rail.





2. Place a new flagnut onto a loose fitting open-end wrench. Using a rubber band, secure the flagnut to the open-end wrench. See Figure 3.





3. Position the open-end wrench with the attached flagnut between the inside of the frame rail and the fuel tank protection bracket. Align a new bolt with the flagnut and hand-start the bolt. Remove the open-end wrench. See Figure 4.

4. Tighten the fuel tank protection bracket bolt until the bolt is snug. Then loosen the bolt to allow slight movement in the bracket.

5. NOTE: Applying torque to the fuel tank protection bracket bolt will tend to move the bracket toward the fuel tank and not allow for proper clearance between the fuel tank protection bracket and the fuel tank.





Position and snug a C-clamp to make sure that the fuel tank protection bracket remains seated squarely up to the inside frame rail while applying torque to the fuel tank protection bracket bolt. See Figure 5.

8. NOTICE: There MUST be at least a 6 mm (1/4 in) clearance between the fuel tank protection bracket and the fuel tank. Any clearance less than 6 mm (1/4 in) will increase the risk of damage to the fuel tank.





Using a tool, such as a 6 mm (1/4 in) drill bit, check the clearance between the outside of the fuel tank protection bracket and the fuel tank. See Figure 6.

9. If a 6 mm (1/4 in) clearance is not achieved in this step, the fuel tank protection bracket is not seated correctly. Slightly loosen the fuel tank protection bracket bolt and repeat Steps 5 through 8.