Bernie's u-bolt saga.

[BernieQ2]

I can't move the axle Bob.
I may have to remove the other wheel today to see if I can, I'm running out of Jack's .
Bernie.

[bob r]

Can't get a crowbar on the wheel studs ? Block n tackle ratchet strap?

Bob

[BernieQ2]

Short answer Bob...No.
Nothing to attach too.

[Peter and Sandra]

Bernie I've used ratchet straps or comealongs (those little handheld winch things) to move things slightly to get things to line up when installing big heavy stuff. quite often need one on each side to get things to line up and remember to have everything loose on both sides until the job is fully reassembled.

[jon_d]

Porta power kits are extremely cheap on ebay.

I think I mentioned this on Sat 29th.

1 jack to position the eye vertically.
Portapower to move length ways. Push on the axle.
1 jack to position side ways. Push on the spring near the eye.

The old scissor and bottle jacks are ideal.

[BernieQ2]

I have been using small jacks wind up plus crank, so far to no avail.
Nowhere to attach any ratchet straps....or I would have used them.
Thanks.
Bernie.

[BernieQ2]

Hey...some good news. The spring is in some time around midday...wacko.
I did take the wheel off on the other side...a job in it's self
And still couldn't move the axle I drove a star picket into the ground in front of the bus and using a ratchet strap all I achieved with that was bending the picket. I banged it in abought a meter in the ground, and was attached at ground level.
I then took the spring out once more and put it back attached to the axle as Ron had said, I already had done this before...Anyway, after much cursing I managed to get the front bolt in, then the rear still hard but at least I had a moving shackle bracket to play with.
Every thing seemed to be a bees nut out, even putting the bracket that holds the shock absorber held by two bolts, you would think having one bolt in the other would just fall in but no still that little bit out.
I'm thinking maybe adding the extra leaf was the culprit...who knows
Today I will finish everything off with the rattle gun.
Thanks for all those with suggestion's they were a help.
Bernie.

[Noggins]

Hey...some good news. The spring is in some time around midday...wacko.
I did take the wheel off on the other side...a job in it's self
And still couldn't move the axle I drove a star picket into the ground in front of the bus and using a ratchet strap all I achieved with that was bending the picket. I banged it in abought a meter in the ground, and was attached at ground level.
I then took the spring out once more and put it back attached to the axle as Ron had said, I already had done this before...Anyway, after much cursing I managed to get the front bolt in, then the rear still hard but at least I had a moving shackle bracket to play with.
Every thing seemed to be a bees nut out, even putting the bracket that holds the shock absorber held by two bolts, you would think having one bolt in the other would just fall in but no still that little bit out.
I'm thinking maybe adding the extra leaf was the culprit...who knows
Today I will finish everything off with the rattle gun.
Thanks for all those with suggestion's they were a help.
Bernie.

Use a tension bar to get the correct tension and stretch on the U bolts or you may be doing it all again at some highly inconvenient place beside a road "out there".


Ron

[T1 Terry]

Don't buy a Mack Bernie, the elephants feet on the rear springs can be a real challenge to get back in on the side of the road with the trailer still fully loaded in other words, it could have been worse
Getting the axle at the correct angle for the centre bolt to slide in the hole can be a bridge too far, that is why the spring goes on the axle first, the spring eyes are much easier to get lined up ....... but at least I know where to take the Mazda if I ever need the front springs removed

T1 Terry