Wrecker Feet rusted and not moving. - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

madsam · 05-05-2008, 21:58

Has anyone else seen this? My feet for my wrecker were rusted and did not want to move. I pulled them out and scraped out the rust, but I am worried that the legs for the feet will not slide well. Has anyone seen this and what did they do about it?

54reo · 05-05-2008, 22:01

Buff the "male" part with a grinder and a wheel such as a "Scotch-brite" pad, 4 1/2".

Grease up the stem and repeatedly run it in and out to free the bore of the rust and crud.

Sounds like the feet have not been used in awhile.

gimpyrobb · 05-05-2008, 22:07

Brian, mine are in better condition than yours in that area, but my jack screws were a pain. Looking at the pics you provided, I would try to sandblast the compartment they slide into and try to polish the outrigger beams as much as possible. Then, grease the crap out of it. One other option is a paint called "slip plate" One of our members on the 715zone painted his leaf springs with it and says it cut down on the friction of the springs for a better ride. He said he picked it up at a tractor supply place.

madsam · 05-05-2008, 22:39

Thanks. I planed to grease the crap out of it. I think they had not been pulled out for at least 10 years. I think there was also some salt watter in there that sat in the dirt and crud which ate away the stuff. I like the idea of sand blasting, and grinding the leg smooth. When I washed it out lots of crud came out. Looking at things the tires throw salt and dirt up into holes in the channel Maybe a rubber tire skirt under the whole bed sticking out 3 inches would help things. I think I want to try to paint things first just to keep things from rusting in the future. I haven't looked at the front feet yet..

I wonder if tapping and drilling a zert fitting in the bottom would help for greasing in the future.

54reo · 05-05-2008, 22:51

A grease zerk would not hurt...

http://www.globalindustrial.com/gcs/...emKey=30134692

"Scotch-brite surface conditioning discs"

rosco · 05-05-2008, 23:42

Some flaps and skirts would surely help protect things. But often these vehicles suffer from neglect, if not abuse. If you get Her up in shape, then just do regular maintaince & simple stuff, like washing Her down with a hose after use. It will last a long time.

Lee in Alaska

timntrucks · 05-06-2008, 20:45

how did you get them out. i need to take mine out as one is sticky now but i can get it out.

madsam · 05-06-2008, 22:48

Tim,

I first unbolted the lock that keeps the leg from coming out. No pic of that. Then I hooked a chain to the foot and to my jeep. I slowly backed up in 4w drive until the thing pulled out. The other foot pulled apart. The ring that holds it on sheered the bolt off. So I took a long pipe and a hand cable winch. I wedged the pipe at the bottom of the bottom edge of the leg. Then hooked one end to the truck and other to the pipe. I then winched the pipe in to the leg from the back and shoved it out the other side. Pic 51379 shows the led with out the foot. I am sure it is fixable though.

Brian

area52 · 05-07-2008, 00:58

Hey Brian,

theres a M816 body in a wrecking yard down here in Farmington that the guy wants to get rid of for $1500. I am going to scavenge some parts off of it next week hopefully. It doesn't have any axles and the motor is shot but it looks complete other wise if you need anything.

madsam · 05-07-2008, 01:04

Does it have things like the chain on the back winch and snatch blocks? What about the mud brakes? I might be interested in going. When are you going?