adjustment shafts

[Stephen Gage]

I'm looking for a set of adjustment shafts for the double-spring set on a 1944 Autocar. I need the shafts to be threaded all the way to the eyelet. My tracks are too tight and I need the extra threads to loosen them up. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Stephen Gage

[Outsider]

Sounds to me like something on your track is not installed correctly. I would check the position of the double spring frame mount, and the rest of the track parts for the reason the tracks are so tight. If you could post some pictures of your track set up someone here maybe able to diagnose the problem.

Steve

[spec4don]

Steve are you using the idler stops to collapse the idler spring?  Even if they are threaded all the way up you still have to collapse them some. You can use a come-a-long also to help. Even with that it's a pretty good tussel to get the tracks on. Long pry bars help.

Don G. 

[Stephen Gage]

I'm not trying to get the tracks on or off. Just trying to loosen them a bit. One modification was the threaded shaft all the way to the eyelet. This was a modification used on later H.T. so I think this must of been a problem with the original shafts. The spring saddle seems to be in its original position. Any repositioning of it would only gain about an inch in distance. Thanks, SG

[spec4don]

Stephen, if you read the TM your only supposed to have about 3/4 inch of slack with someone standing on the track between the top roller and the idler. My shafts are not threaded to the end and I still had to take mine up quite aways (at least an 1 1/2") to get the proper tension.

If you run them too loose you take a chance on spitting a track at high speed. Or if you off roading.
 My 2 cents

Don G.

[steve1973]

Stephen,
The reason for the extra thread on those shafts was to give the idlers more slack when removing a track. So, unless you are removing a track then you don't need them. Have you checked for the slack in your track as Don has mentioned? If not this is what the manual says to do. First run your track back and fourth and come to a stop not using your brakes. This lets the track rest with no strain on either end. Next run a string across the top of the track with weights on either end. Lastly have someone that weighs approx. 150 lbs. stand on the track and measure deflection. I think it is 1/2" or 3/4" as Don said. Are your tracks new or old? If they are new then yes they are tight. I didn't have to tighten mine much at all one installed unlike the position of the nut for my old tracks. If they are old then you should have them adjusted up a bit to take up the slack and to not throw a track. Posting pictures would help from a side view. Hope this helps.

Steve A.