Rear idler appears to bend inwards?

[brit plumber]

Brit plumber,

I stand corrected to my previous reply about the jam nut. The M4A1 I'm restoring does have them. The M16 not though.

Rob

ps. My dual spring adjusting bolt is bend like crazy so don't use this picture for any other comparison.

Perhaps someone realised that a lock nut/jam nut wasn’t required and they were eventually made obsolete?

Looking at your assembly, I initially thought my spring bolt was bent too, but after removing the spring I see it’s not. I think that as there was no tension on the spring, it could pivot upwards and I think my track was unloaded with the strop around the frame and spring which pulled it out of true. After disassembly there’s nothing wrong. Looking at yours, it looks as mine did, that is the spring not seated on the erm......spring seat. Perhaps pushing the spring down and back into alignment may fix it.

[RB-058]

Perhaps someone realised that a lock nut/jam nut wasn’t required and they were eventually made obsolete?

Looking at your assembly, I initially thought my spring bolt was bent too, but after removing the spring I see it’s not. I think that as there was no tension on the spring, it could pivot upwards and I think my track was unloaded with the strop around the frame and spring which pulled it out of true. After disassembly there’s nothing wrong. Looking at yours, it looks as mine did, that is the spring not seated on the erm......spring seat. Perhaps pushing the spring down and back into alignment may fix it.
[/quote]

Yes, probably! Mine on the M4 really live up to their name! They're jammed!! But that is mostly due to the red oxide paint... It's a real pain... Almost everything is stuck due to that. I've tried chemicals and excessive heat but that orange goo doesn't bodge a bit..

I went to see the moment I read your reply, and it looks like you're totally right!!The spring is a bit out of the seat indeed! and the rod looks straight as I can tell now. Thanks for letting me know! I really appreciate it!
Looks like everyday is still a schoolday!

Rob

[brit plumber]

I’m glad to have been of help. After all I’ve asked lots of questions and had lots of useful replies in response so it’s nice to have given something back to the group.

I’ve made some progress today. I found the reason I couldn’t get the threaded bar in to the valute springs, the seat was frozen at an angle so the bars wouldn’t go in. Lots of oil and some heavy blows with a lump hammer squared the seat up enough to get them threaded in. So they were 1” x 8TPI after all!

Everything is free except the 2 axle pins in the 2 sets of bogie wheels. I think this is where cleprechaun crab tool would be handy and some oxy/acetylene bottles.

[brit plumber]

And a photo.

[brit plumber]

I sure admire your gumption taking on this project! I don't think many people would. They'd consider it too much work and find an easier one. Thanks again for saving this old half-track.

Jon

Thanks Jon, I’ve not much choice as there’s not many (maybe non) unrestored Halftracks available in the UK. Apart from the heavy corrosion around the cross member the rest isn’t too bad. I’m enjoying so that’s the main thing.

[RB-058]

And also credit for the amazing progress you made in this short amount of time! Impressive!

Rob

[brit plumber]

Thanks, things will slow down now as the weather worsens and the nights are drawing in.

I see on the g503 that your M16 is a donor track. If you have any M16 specific parts you don’t need and want to sell on. Bare me in mind, I’ve still to find an M16 bulkhead as the 2 previous offers have fallen through.

[RB-058]

Thanks, things will slow down now as the weather worsens and the nights are drawing in.

I see on the g503 that your M16 is a donor track. If you have any M16 specific parts you don’t need and want to sell on. Bare me in mind, I’ve still to find an M16 bulkhead as the 2 previous offers have fallen through.

Yes, shorter days and rain... That is going to slow down things a bit.
Basically I made a deal with the owner (paintball company) that I can pull and use anything that is not visible. In return I will add some rear (armor) and throw a couple buckets of olive drab over it. Once that all is done it will go back to sit it's final days at the paintball pit. So I'm not really able to get anyhing exterior off of it. Besides that, 20 years outside display and paintball mayhem didn't do any good to this old warrior.

Rob

[brit plumber]

That’s fair, shame the owner wants to keep it outdoors but it must be worth more to him as a paintball prop than as a valuable asset.

There’s a paintball place near me that has a Chieftain main battle tank as a gate guardian. It’s a well known land mark and they keep it well painted. I hope they keep the rest of it in as nice condition.

[brit plumber]

I got the whole back end of the track on axle stands today. Because I can’t get the track tension adjuster nut to adjust and take the tension off the remaining track, I’m trying to find an alternative. I’m thinking of using my spring compressors to hold the spring tension and then pull the track of the idler. I’ve already pulled the outer half of the idler off but I’m worried the spring will release with huge stress on the components if I just slip it off the inner (I’m a wimp when it comes to big springs even though I work with explosives). I’d appreciate hearing any thoughts or alternative ideas.

I also can’t budge the bogie arms on the other side. I’ve tried wedging chisels, using 2 hammers on the end and pullers. The only thing left I can think of is heat, I really need to buy a Oxy/Acet kit.

[Ma Deuce]

Don’t know if this will help I put a chain on rear idler and crossmember then used a screw type boomer to pull rear idler forward. Look closely at picture and you can see it

[brit plumber]

Thanks, that’s worth a try. Did you have the same issue with the adjuster?

[spillmk1]

"I also can’t budge the bogie arms on the other side. I’ve tried wedging chisels, using 2 hammers on the end and pullers. The only thing left I can think of is heat, I really need to buy a Oxy/Acet kit. "

If your spider (crab) is locked up that's an entirely different wrestling match.
Lots of heat AND pressure might be required.
Both of mine were locked up.
Took several weeks of soaking in penetrating oil, heat and a 100 ton press.
There are posts with guys having to use a lot bigger press than that.

Good therapy….right?? 

Keith

[brit plumber]

Which part is the spider? The arms are free to move and the bogies are free to move up and down. It appears it’s just the arm that frozen on to the tapered end of the bogie axle if that makes sense.

[Smadge]

I used a chisel, hammer and propane torch and it worked just fine. Drive the chisel in and heat around the end piece (not the bolt) for about 3-4 minutes and give it a shot of PB blaster and give the chisel a few good whacks. Pops right off.  Some came out once heated enough.

Propane works just fine!

There is a good photo in the forum "All track related hardware and maintenance"  "Rear suspension disassembly"

Paul