[MV] Half-track Bogie Install complete!

Just got done replacing 5 bogie wheels on the half-track (one cluster of 4
on the driver's side and one single wheel on the passenger side that was
looking pretty rough).

I found it absolutely essential to compress the volute springs on both
sides, but I only had to release the tension (big adjusting nut on the
spring) on one side. I used a large "track-jack" and some very big wood
blocks to get the back end completely off the ground so that each track was
suspended in the air and could be moved easily.

Following the advice in the TM, and since I don't own the "volute spring
compressor tool," I used two 12 inch long pieces of standard thread (not
fine thread) 1-inch all thread. Believe it or not, the TM actually provided
these dimensions and very good and detailed instructions on the procedure
for compressing the volute springs: 1. remove top roller (under the roller
are two holes that fit the all-thread perfectly), 2. screw the all-thread
down into the holes, then 3. take a nut that fits the all-thread and screw
it down, which compresses each spring individually and eventually pulls the
crab up and off of the suspension arms.

I want to thank Nigel and the many other list members for the advice,
especially about working that big nut on the track tension adjuster. In the
bogie wheel install, I did release the track tension completely on the
driver's side to remove and replace an entire cluster of 4 wheels; however,
on the passenger side, I did not have to release the track tension at all,
as I was replacing an "outside" wheel that didn't require removing the
entire cluster.

- John Brian Seeling
Alexandria, LA


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John,
Thanx for the post.
I will keep a copy for when that time come for my M4A1.
DJ in NJ

John Brian Seeling wrote:
[color=blue]
>Just got done replacing 5 bogie wheels on the half-track (one cluster of 4
>on the driver's side and one single wheel on the passenger side that was
>looking pretty rough).
>
>I found it absolutely essential to compress the volute springs on both
>sides, but I only had to release the tension (big adjusting nut on the
>spring) on one side. I used a large "track-jack" and some very big wood
>blocks to get the back end completely off the ground so that each track was
>suspended in the air and could be moved easily.
>
>Following the advice in the TM, and since I don't own the "volute spring
>compressor tool," I used two 12 inch long pieces of standard thread (not
>fine thread) 1-inch all thread. Believe it or not, the TM actually provided
>these dimensions and very good and detailed instructions on the procedure
>for compressing the volute springs: 1. remove top roller (under the roller
>are two holes that fit the all-thread perfectly), 2. screw the all-thread
>down into the holes, then 3. take a nut that fits the all-thread and screw
>it down, which compresses each spring individually and eventually pulls the
>crab up and off of the suspension arms.
>
>I want to thank Nigel and the many other list members for the advice,
>especially about working that big nut on the track tension adjuster. In the
>bogie wheel install, I did release the track tension completely on the
>driver's side to remove and replace an entire cluster of 4 wheels; however,
>on the passenger side, I did not have to release the track tension at all,
>as I was replacing an "outside" wheel that didn't require removing the
>entire cluster.
>
>- John Brian Seeling
> Alexandria, LA
>
>
>===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list===
>To unsubscribe, send e-mail to: <mil-veh-off@mil-veh.org>
>To switch to the DIGEST mode, send e-mail to <mil-veh-digest@mil-veh.org>
>To reach a human, contact <ack@mil-veh.org>
>
>
>[/color]




===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list===
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To switch to the DIGEST mode, send e-mail to <mil-veh-digest@mil-veh.org>
To reach a human, contact <ack@mil-veh.org>