SECTION 18: BODY
6
DOB 2490-2789 | X3-45 Commuter PA1605 Maintenance Manual (Final Version – Rev.2 April 2016)
2. VEHICLE
STRUCTURE
The body of the X3-45 coaches is an integral
structure made of 14, 16 and 18 gauge welded
and braced high tensile steel and stainless steel
members. All stainless exterior panels are glued
to anti-corrosion coated members. The complete
structure is protected against corrosion prior to
assembly. The front and rear caps are made of
molded fiberglass. The main roof is made of
high tensile aluminum panels riveted to the roof
structure. The floor is made of 2 layers of ½" (13
mm) thick plywood separated by a 1/8" (3 mm)
insulation to reduce power train and road noises.
2.1 Welding
Since welding is a procedure that may be
carried out either as specific instructions from
Prevost or by an independent decision of the
owner, the following information pertaining to
welding should be read before beginning any
welding procedure. The prohibitions and
requirements outlined below must be followed
during welding procedure:
1. Welding must be done only by a qualified
and experienced person.
2. Adequate ground contacts and shields must
be positioned as required to protect compo-
nents from damage due to heat, contact by
weld splatter, arcing, or other potentially
damaging events associated with welding.
3. The following precautions are to be taken to
protect the electronic control components.
Refer to section 00, paragraph 3:
“PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED
BEFORE WELDING” in this manual.
4. Always wear the appropriate safety
equipment.
5. Weld in clean and well ventilated area, and
always have an appropriate fire extinguisher
within your reach.
3. VEHICLE EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Regular washing to remove dust and dirt is
recommended. See
"Operator's Manual"
for
more details on washing and cleaning your
vehicle.
4. CORROSION
PREVENTION
Preventive maintenance is a key factor in
avoiding corrosion and must be considered as
part of the regular service intervals. The entire
underside of the vehicle is sprayed with a heavy
application of asphalt base undercoating.
The operating environment the vehicle is
subjected to will largely influence the amount of
dirt and corrosion that will accumulate over a
given period. Corrosion is one of the most costly
factors of part failure and shortened part life. It
is, however, an item that can be controlled when
it is conscientiously looked after and the proper
steps are taken in a timely manner.
Certain areas of the coach are more vulnerable
to corrosion than others, and it is these areas
that should be addressed. For example, the rear
baggage compartment bulkhead in the rear
wheelhousing area contains many key
components and should be examined regularly
for corrosion. Other areas include the front
wheelhousing area and the engine compart-
ment.
Road splash will affect undercarriage,
condenser coil and engine compartment. These
areas must be thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt
accumulations from flanges, channels and
ledges. These places accumulate dirt and salt
and hold it in direct contact with steel and
aluminum surfaces. Use an understructure high
pressure spray as part of a regular wash.
Damaged undercoating or paint should be
promptly repaired before corrosion can start.
Frequency of wash periods depends on
operating conditions. During periods of exposure
to salt, daily washing as described above is
recommended. If underbody parts show
evidence of rust or corrosion, treat as follows:
1. Remove dirt, grease and oil by solvent
washing.
2. Remove corrosion as well as all loose
coating by cleaning with a wire brush or
sandblasting.
CAUTION
Sandblasting can be used for cleaning
bulkheads, brackets and other structural
members. It should not be used for exterior
side paneling. Extreme care should be taken
not to sandblast excessively.
