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Re: Bernie's u-bolt saga.

Posted: Sun May 21, 2023 6:18 am
by 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.

Re: Bernie's u-bolt saga.

Posted: Sun May 21, 2023 6:27 am
by bob r
Can't get a crowbar on the wheel studs ? Block n tackle ratchet strap?

Bob

Re: Bernie's u-bolt saga.

Posted: Sun May 21, 2023 6:41 am
by BernieQ2
Short answer Bob...No.
Nothing to attach too.

Re: Bernie's u-bolt saga.

Posted: Sun May 21, 2023 8:07 am
by 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.

Re: Bernie's u-bolt saga.

Posted: Sun May 21, 2023 8:48 am
by 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.

Re: Bernie's u-bolt saga.

Posted: Sun May 21, 2023 8:53 am
by 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.

Re: Bernie's u-bolt saga.

Posted: Mon May 22, 2023 5:38 am
by 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 :D
And still couldn't move the axle :evil: 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 :evil: 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 :D :D
Today I will finish everything off with the rattle gun.
Thanks for all those with suggestion's they were a help.
Bernie.

Re: Bernie's u-bolt saga.

Posted: Mon May 22, 2023 11:21 am
by Noggins
BernieQ2 wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 5:38 am 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 :D
And still couldn't move the axle :evil: 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 :evil: 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 :D :D
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

Re: Bernie's u-bolt saga.

Posted: Mon May 22, 2023 7:15 pm
by 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 :D
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 ;) :lol:

T1 Terry