Rear idler appears to bend inwards?

[emptyhead]

Gas rig is a must, you can go oxy/propane if it’s cheaper with the propane bottle over there.fuel regulator should work with either.

[brit plumber]

A few more bits removed, the spring had no tension so that’s been removed now. Still need to remove the big nut and then I’ll need to remove the inner large nut. So oxy/acetylene is next on the shopping list.

All the documentation shows a nut on the spring adjuster with a jam nut, both of 2.5”. My adjusters only have the one nut of 2.2” AF. Is this another version or possibly a French replacement?

[RB-058]

Not sure, but I have never seen one with the jam nuts, both halftracks I have right now don't have them. Although they are in the documentation indeed. JR Parts sell NOS ones and those don't have the jam nut either. Good to see you got them off!

Rob

[brit plumber]

Well when it comes to re-assembly then I’ll likely stick with what was on it until I see otherwise

Today’s efforts were disappointing.

Firstly I ordered 2 x 1” 8TPI studs with nuts etc. so I could compress the volute springs in the crab. Only one arrived.

Secondly I got the size from various posts on the internet where they stated the manual was incorrect. Well it looks like I may have made a mistake as the studs looks bigger that the holes and they won’t bite, not a hope in hell so I think I need some 7/8” stud as per the manual.

Thirdly after the above fail, I got the angle grinder out with the intention of removing some more of the bubba frame. 5 seconds after starting, the grinder stopped as if the battery was flat. I gave it a few seconds and all it would do was rotate backwards for a split second before stoping. So it will be going back to the store tomorrow as it’s only 8 days old!!

The last thing I did was to undo some of the bolts attaching the towing pintle. 7 came undone ok, 3 the nuts had corroded to the point I couldn’t differentiate between what was bolt and what was nut. They will need cutting off with my ...... replacement angle grinder. On the subject of the tow pintle, do I need to undo the big nut to remove the actual pintle from the frame?

[coreyelliott]

Our halftrack, Lucky 13, has the two nuts; however, it's the early thin single spring so I wonder if that's the difference.

Our all-thread pieces were 1", not 7/8', but maybe there are different sized threaded holes in some of the crabs?

Yes, unfortunately, the large nut has to come off.

Corey

[8683jb]

Firstly I ordered 2 x 1” 8TPI studs with nuts etc. so I could compress the volute springs in the crab. Only one arrived.

Secondly I got the size from various posts on the internet where they stated the manual was incorrect. Well it looks like I may have made a mistake as the studs looks bigger that the holes and they won’t bite, not a hope in hell so I think I need some 7/8” stud as per the manual.

The holes are probably packed tight with 80 years worth of dirt. Mine were packed solid and after driving a long pointed punch into them to break up the dirt, I had to make up a long extension for my air nozzle and blow them out. I had to repeat the process several times to get them clean enough to accept a well-lubed 1"-8 threaded rod.

Jon

[brit plumber]

Thanks John, I’ll try chipping away with a long screwdriver and see if anything comes out. Ive also got a 1” x 8TPI taper tap so I’ll see what that does. I’ll have to make sure I attach it well to something or I’ll never get it out again lol.

[brit plumber]

I got a good light source in there today and there’s no crap in the holes. I can see a good distance of threads so I pushed a bar in the hole which just fitted. I then compared it to my 1” x 8tpi taper tap and it looks like it is 1 inch. So I just need to figure out a way to get the tap to the bottom of the hole without it dropping off. I’m thinking a 12” extension bar from my socket set. I just need to check to see if the tap square drive is a 1/2”.

[coreyelliott]

I got a good light source in there today and there’s no crap in the holes. I can see a good distance of threads so I pushed a bar in the hole which just fitted. I then compared it to my 1” x 8tpi taper tap and it looks like it is 1 inch. So I just need to figure out a way to get the tap to the bottom of the hole without it dropping off. I’m thinking a 12” extension bar from my socket set. I just need to check to see if the tap square drive is a 1/2”.

This is what Don used to tap his crab holes out.  I stole the picture from his restoration thread.





Corey

[Cleprechaun]

When it comes time to free up that crab, Iv got a jig I made to free it up. It’s something I’m tired of tripping over, so you are welcome to it. Mine were stuck REAL BAD.

[brit plumber]

I got a good light source in there today and there’s no crap in the holes. I can see a good distance of threads so I pushed a bar in the hole which just fitted. I then compared it to my 1” x 8tpi taper tap and it looks like it is 1 inch. So I just need to figure out a way to get the tap to the bottom of the hole without it dropping off. I’m thinking a 12” extension bar from my socket set. I just need to check to see if the tap square drive is a 1/2”.

This is what Don used to tap his crab holes out.  I stole the picture from his restoration thread.





Corey

That’s the exact kind of home made job Im thinking of. My usual problem is it takes me 3 or more attempts to make it and it would have cost half as much to just buy the right tool. But it is twice the fun so worth it.

[brit plumber]

When it comes time to free up that crab, Iv got a jig I made to free it up. It’s something I’m tired of tripping over, so you are welcome to it. Mine were stuck REAL BAD.

Thanks for the offer but I’d imagine it’s heavy duty and I’m in the UK so shipping is likely huuuuuuge! How does it work? I span set the boggie cluster to hold up the springs and then jacked up the back to put an axle stand in. The lot was frozen but at least I can knock the axle shafts out of the wheels. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the nuts came off and the axles moved. It’s a credit to the US steel mills that the steel has lasted so well. Unfortunately corrosion has got the better of some of the buts on the frame, some have even corroded to nothing. I should take a photo to highlight that I can have a perfect nut in one position and then another 2” away can be completely rotten so there’s nothing left. It’s completely bizarre and I’ve never seen anything like it.

[brit plumber]

Here’s a bad photo I had on my phone. The bottom arrowed nut has rotted away, the one arrowed above is 50% gone and the one not in view is a little rusty and will undo with little effort. I may have to replace that cross member if I can find another as the steel is quite thin in some areas. This and the other side are the only parts that really concern me on the frame.

[8683jb]

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

[RB-058]

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.