Halftrack Repair - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

WillWagner · 10-28-2009, 01:25

Well, didn't see a halftrack forum, figured this would be the best place to start this.
A guy that knows Craig...the Museum Curator..has a halftrack. An M3A1. A USN Cheif and Mine Man

. He drove the Pee Pee out of it. I think a bit of too much driving and not enough maintenence took it's toll on the rt rear idler. The bearing took a dump, cocked the idler and has worn the giudes to a razor sharp state. I have been hired to repair the idler, do the rear brakes, fix a gear oil leak at the rt side drive sprocket..probably a wheel seal, re track it and re install the winch PTO and driveshaft. Should be a fun project, it will put some of the Museum projects on hold for a bit, but this was arranged by Craig and it will be done at his place since he has a f-lift and I don't. I'd like to thank Craig for thinking of me

. This will help out due to the taking days off of work w/o pay.
Here are a few starter pics. Some of the halftrack and some of the replacement track and parts. The halftrack is at the Museum, The M725 is almost complete, just gotta set the valves and finish the stenciling then the halftrack will go into the shop and the work can start

BLK HMMWV · 10-28-2009, 02:16

Will
Except for all of the hard work and busted knuckels involved you are a lucky man.
You get to play with all the fun toys ,while somebody pays for all the parts and up keep.
Something tells me there will be trac's in your future. Mine following you around when you do the test drive.

Now if somebody would just get there butt in gear and get that machine shop wired up.

Take lots of pictures
And keep us posted on the rebuild.

BH

NDT · 10-28-2009, 20:17

Make sure you have the volute spring compressor, which is basically a threaded rod that goes into holes under the top return roller. Install the two compressors when the ht is sitting on the ground, so the spring is somewhat compressed. Next use a chain to tie each side of the bogie cluster up, run the chain over the spring trunnion from one cluster to the other, otherwise they will drop down when you jack up the ht. Compress and split the rear idler and the track will be ready to wrestle off.

Get help when man-handling the track! It is very clumsy to fight with by yourself.

WillWagner · 10-29-2009, 00:15

Thanks for the advice NDT. I WILL be using a forklift! That stuff is heavy. The TM from '42 showa a single guy with a 2 x 4 fulcrum lifting the track off!
More pics to follow as I get started on it in a few days.

WillWagner · 12-05-2009, 02:13

Well, it's been more than a few days! What with forklifts needing repair and vacations, a month has passed. It is in the shop and the work has started. The owner got a mess of stuff from Gary Hebding. The stuff it new, but VERY rusty and corroded/erroded. The first thing I did was to take the "new" assembly apart and asess the rust damage. The outside was UGLY! The innards were in good shape, they had a bit of water intrusion, but all things are very useable. I media blasted the components and they cleaned up nicely.

I decided to start with the alleged failed side, which is the passenger side. Got the bogiess caged with some cool little tools that Craig has, lots easier than using chain and turnbucklie like the '42 TM shows! Jacked it up and supported it with a jack stand. With the caging tools installed, there is a mess of slack in the track. Pulled the upper center roller, the rear flange and the track was ready to come off. Came off very easy, just a bit heavy! Walked it off of the drive flange and now it is sitting on the ground! More to follow as the repair progresses

PorscheTech911 · 12-05-2009, 03:38

Very cool project! I'll be paying attention to this thread

bigmike · 12-06-2009, 02:02

Will,

You didn't mention this when we talked last time...very cool!!! I've always loved half tracks.

Armada · 12-06-2009, 11:10

Quote:

Very cool project! I'll be paying attention to this thread

Ditto!! Thanks for the photo documentation, Will. I would love to be there to help.
Love the halftracks. They are my dream restoration.

WillWagner · 12-06-2009, 13:24

Well, had a chance to do a bit more on the track. It is progressing nicely. Pulled some of the parts that were shipped to us to make sure they were still good and correct. The wheel cylinders are new Lockheed units, the hardware for the lower, major adjusters is NOS. The felts are in a wax covered box from the 40's, it IS Christmas time and it is cool opening the boxes

Got the passenger side drive apart. All looks good, the wheel cylinders could most likely make it again, but, since I am there, they will be renewed. The lower adjusters were rusted solid in the backing plate and it took a bit of persuasion to get them out. A ball hone was used to clean the bores and the eccentrics were sand blasted as were the wheel cylinder push rods. Thanks to the Museum for letting me use their lifting equipment and space. This stuff is WAY heavier than deuce parts

The wheel seal was blown, so i'll take the drum/hub and drive to work and give it a good steam. Hopefully, if it doesn't pour here like the forcasters are guessing, i'll have the passenger side done by this comming week end

WillWagner · 12-06-2009, 13:51

A few more,