T16 restoration starts in earnest

[andrew honychurch]

things seem so slow going at the moment, I dont know whether its the hot weather we are having or the lack of the hull for me to be geeting along with, but anyway, I have done half my bogie units now. For some reason I was not looking forward to the job of cleaning all the bearings and seals and washers and putting them all back together. I must be getting overly sensitive to dirty nails in my older age! Anyway, I did two of the units today, taking my time and sitting down for a rest in the sun every now and again.
Its all pretty straight forward, nothing really to be aware off other than trying to line up the hubs, guides bushes and washers so that the axle spindle will go through. In the book they recommend a large spindle sized taper driver which would align everything. Not having one of those I had to use the mark one eyeball but it worked. here are some photos and I have updated the photobucket site as well

http://s714.photobucket.com/albums/w...sal%20Carrier/

[andrew honychurch]

Thats the rear axle complete and ready to refit. That said, its a hell of a weight and wants to dangle with the drive hub down, so it will be a pig of thing to refit without a fork lift which seems the best way to handle it. The T16 also has some shims that fit between the hull side and the axle to set the axle square to the tracks I presume. They look like the may take a bit of lining up as well.

[RichardT10829]

Andrew when you sling it up use a second sling to go around the diff input then when ithas just gone through the hull you can remove the sling and guide it in place. i did my axle on my own with a trolley jack and a block and tackle the block and tackle was used to keep the input part of the diff level. as for the shims i placed them in situ and then picked the holes to line up with a screwdriver you could tack them in place with some silicone sealant if they prove to be troublesome. either way they MUST go back in or you risk causing stress cracks in the lower hull

have fun and watch your toes !!!

[horsa]

I cheated on mine Carried the parts up the hill one at time and bolted them onto the vehicle as I went. Most of it was manageable but the planetary gears weigh a ton.

You can tap the spacers or shim plates between the hull and the brake plates once you know the final drive center is bolted up properly. I think they were designed to allow easier fitting of the unit onto the hull at production. That way minor variance in the welded body panels wouldn't cause issues when everything was going together.

[andrew honychurch]

Thanks Guys. I was thinking of using a sling but to be honest, my Engine crane only just lifted the axle. I assume its a fair bit heavier than a standard Universal, presumably because of the added differential steering mechanisms. Just lifting a brake drum proved to be a right old weight. Mind you I am probably just getting old!

Its interesting what you say about fitting the axle before the shims, which would make sense, so lets hope there is a bit of lee way when refitting. I will be watching my toes Richard..this thing could seriously damge you if it fell on you. Anyone know the weight?

[andrew honychurch]

I just want to post a thankyou to a few of you guys out there. I have received serious help from David Gordon who as we all know has restored his T16 to what must be the yardstick for all of us to measure our efforts by. Unbeliveable. Also, I have been kindly sent a spring all the way from NZ by Lynn Eades to complete my suspension. I cannot believe that you guys will put yourself out so much to help others. And Marc Van Aalderen has kindly sourced, collected and posted me a drive coupling gear from Holland. I know all of us will have such tales of help, assistance and comraderie but I just had to mention it. Its a great hobby and this webforum is terrific. Thanks to all of you who make it what it is.

[RichardT10829]

It is a rarity in the MV fraternity but here in Carrier land we share the love always good to hear when good deeds are being done.