Making more progress over the last weekend. I got the steering column back in but had a problem. When the column is mounted in place there is a clamp that goes over the pitman shaft housing from the steering box. My halftrack has two brass shims that go around this housing before being clamped in place.
Well, I put everything back as original and was unable to turn the steering shaft freely. I loosened up the column and things moved fine. I decided to take out one shim and everything seems to work fine.
The drag link was installed next then all grease points up front were lubed. With excess grease wiped off I painted all the zerk fittings red and once dried installed the covers on the drag link ends. These are from Kevin Lockwood.
One of the next items to reinstall is the drive line. Before I did that though I decided to put new U-joints in.
The front axle was finished up by installing the flexible brake lines. At this point it is time to sand blast and paint more parts.
I was able to get some small parts done in my small blasting cabinet but I heard from Don that the place we take our big stuff to get sand blasted burnt down to the ground last week.
I will have to see if they will still be in business or temporarily find another place.
More armor being painted.
That's all for now.
Steve A.
