Idler Spindle removal from frame....

[colkking]

Afternoon, folks!
Anybody taken the idler spindles off of the frame?
I am wanting to send the frame out to get blasted and painted, and want to take everything off of it.
I got the idlers off, the springs, the brackets, and the assembly that goes between the two spindles--BUT, the spindle that goes through the frame is still there--does anyone know how to remove it?  there is a dame castle nut with a cotter pin tucked up inside the inner frame...was hoping to get this all off without dealing with that, but am willing to take any advice!
Thanks,
kk

[big44maghunter]

I'm at the same exact point also!  Was wondering the same thing, if it was worth it or just leave it.  Hopefully someone will chime in.  Did you remove the cast portion of the frame from the frame rails, or blasting them together?

Brad

[Outsider]

Spindle is tapered into the casting inside the frame rail. You will need to remove the castle nut, and most likely use heat and a porta power to get the shafts to come loose.

Steve

[steve-0]

I would leave them unless they are worn. (just rotate them)

I have removed some that come out by hand after the nut is removed but most will be a lot of work to get out

[colkking]

thanks, guys!

in for a penny, in for a pound....i don't want to risk getting them damaged when i sandblast the frame, which is why i think i should take them out...
will keep you guys updated on my slow spiral to frustration.  :-)
kk

[yd328]

When I took mine out it was a lot of work. I used heat and a small bottle jack, a porta power would have been a better option. It took two of us to do it, one on the heat and the other on the jack.

Gary

[colkking]

honestly, i got a feeling that my biggest source of frustration is going to be getting that $%^$ cotter pin out of that 2-1/2" crown nut...

 

[Outsider]

Cotter pin is the easy part...Drill it!

Steve

[steve-0]

there is a good reason I don't remove them unless I have to
they are usually a pain to remove and easily covered if sand blasting.

my 4 frames I was going to restore... all with those shafts still installed
http://halftrackinfo.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1781.0;attach=2737;image

[colkking]

Cottor pins are out...came out easier than anticipated, but....
can't get a socket around the castle nut--can't even get an open end wrench on it.
I honestly cannot figure out how they put this together--best I can guess is that they were placed into the frame from the inside, and when the outboard castle nut was tightened it set everything in place.

So, in order to get them out, that would mean pushing the spindles from outboard to inboard (??)...
i am perplexed....

[yd328]

Here's a pic from my resto thread, hope this helps.
http://halftrackinfo.com/index.php?topic=346.msg7536#msg7536


Gary

[Outsider]

Cottor pins are out...came out easier than anticipated, but....
can't get a socket around the castle nut--can't even get an open end wrench on it.
I honestly cannot figure out how they put this together--best I can guess is that they were placed into the frame from the inside, and when the outboard castle nut was tightened it set everything in place.

So, in order to get them out, that would mean pushing the spindles from outboard to inboard (??)...
i am perplexed....

Spindles get pushed from the inboard toward the outside. They are tapered into the casting on the inside of the frame.

I have a spindle that is out that is in my shop. I'll try and get out there and take a picture of it today.

Steve

[67tank]

Steve-0 is right - unless you really want to remove them, leave them in place, cover the shaft, and sand blast as is. 

I removed one because I wanted to repair the cast housing on the outside.  I was able to get a socket and a breaker bar on the inside nut and break free.  Then I had to use a 10 Ton Porta Power Hydraulic Jack  braced on the opposite idler and in order to push out the other idler shaft.  Took a LOT of heat, and some persuasion with a sledge hammer, all the while adding more and more pressure with the Porta Power.  Took half a day of heating, banging, and swearing......

[prestone]

totally agree with 67Tank, YD328 & Cie

the shafts must be moved to replace them in case of wear.
otherwise protect them with a hose for the sandblast.
on my M2 they were dismantled and replaced by new ones
I needed a jack bottle and a lot of heat

http://halftrackinfo.com/index.php?topic=638.195