New Rails

[RustedHeroes]

Finally saved up enough pennies to get some new rails for my 977L, thought i would post some pictures of the Pad removal process. The old pads aren't great but I still can get some life out of them.

What a job to get them off!! so far the best method I've found is to hit them with a plasma cutter then snap the heads off with a breaker bar. The bolts are all 100% seized, if anyone has any tricks to speed up the process I AM ALL EARS.

 

[Tones]

The only thing faster is a BIG rattle gun that will snap the bolts. Reckon you're doing fine, it's always the time consuming part of the job.

 

[JD8875]

Getting the old pads off is the worst part. I cut the nuts off with a torch. Hang the rails off the loader of another machine and walk up them with a big hammer. Hit the pad on the outside edges to walk it off the old bolts. I found if I cut the heads slag hung between the bolt and pad and they were harder to knock off.

Good luck
John

 

[Bls repair]

I find that burning the nuts off is easer then burning the head off the bolt . You don’t have to worry about gouging the pad .doesn’t matter if you Gough the rail

 

[old-iron-habit]

Are you doing anything with your sprockets? You will see accelerated wear on the new rails if the sprockets are not matching correctly due to wear.

 

[DMiller]

Only thing I ever found to remove bolts on these machines was a gas axe or a 1" rattle gun the latter being slower. Shoes have some life as noted by bolt head height. I too would axe the nuts as the rails are done. Cat shops used to use a hydraulic wrench to either break them loose or off. Far as using the plasma cutter, I did see the debris laying the rails, stay clear of sending a shower of sparks into the belly pans if you have not cleaned this machine up as you won't put it out once afire.

 

[RustedHeroes]

Thanks for all the reply's gentlemen. So far I have been making reasonable progress with the pad removal, I did try the impact only method however the nuts seem to be somewhat undersize and they simply destroy my sockets.

Dmiller,

Yes I am very cautious with the sparks and luckily the machine has been recently cleaned. I did have the crud in the belly pans catch fire last year and it was a lesson i won't soon forget, I had quick access to a hydrant which ended up saving the day. Always something to be mindful of, its amazing how these machines will burn even though they are mostly steel!! LOL

Old-iron-habit,

Sprockets were new last year and are 100%, with maybe 10 hours on them. I'm hoping they will wear in nicely to the new rails, looking back now I should have just left the old ones in place until I had the funds for the new rails. Lesson Learned

Thanks again guys and I will hopefully update with some pictures this weekend.

 

[Bluox]

How bad are your bottom rollers? If they are rounded or tapered that will take 20% off your new tracks in a month.
Bob

 

[DMiller]

If have not ever been done can trim flanges back with a torch with the machine up on the bucket then blocks. Make a retainer bracket from a c-clamp or some form of clamp so once start cutting the torch will remain in place then hack the flange until reasonable clearance. Only good ONE time so if show a gas axe edge is too late for another. Have to do both inner and outer flanges. And yes is a stop gap action where next time the rollers will be scrap.

 

[RustedHeroes]

I'll get some pictures of the bottom rollers when I split the tracks, there seems to be a mix of old and new. I have checked that they all roll freely and look to be in reasonable condition.

Great time to be working in the shop here in Alberta, blowing snow and -26 Celsius tonight

 

[DMiller]

Should be a mix of dual and single flange. Layout should be in a service manual as to where and why dual flange.

 

[RustedHeroes]

Took a few years of saving... Finally got my new rails!

If anyone is looking for a great deal on undercarriage, speak with Neil at Dan Mar equipment in Leduc, AB.

 

[DMiller]

I see you got split link masters, good choice. Will need special bolts for that point shoe. SALT Rails? Clean the excess paint from the teeth/threads prior to assembly.

 

[old-iron-habit]

Great time to be working in the shop here in Alberta, blowing snow and -26 Celsius tonight

Looks to be more them just a shop. With the easy chair it appears that you and your helper have a combination shop and man cave. I'm guessing the refrigerator is just out of site next to the chair. Them new tracks are going to be fun to run with.

 

[CavinJim]

I'm just curious what's under the tarp behind the couch... looks like something fun

 

[hosspuller]

I'm just curious what's under the tarp behind the couch... looks like something fun

Looks like a bit of high performance rubber peeking out the side.

 

[catman13]

the chair is for him to supervise the helper

 

[DMiller]

Way too damn clean, you need a mud pile and lots of axe slag laying around then half finished or unstarted projects EVERYWHERE like the rest of us!!!

 

[RustedHeroes]

Hey Guys!
Thanks for the replies, yeah i'm pretty excited to get the new rails under her! They are salt rails from TREK, and believe it or not they came WITH the split link bolts!

Don't worry guys once the track/pad swap is done there will be mud everywhere... lol

Under the tarp is just an old mustang, 72' MACH 1 (My brother in law is in the Photo)


I imagine the first question will be "What's under the hood??"
408 Windsor w/ Aussie Cleveland heads (Clevor), Mated to a 5 speed tremec
Lots of fun

 

[RustedHeroes]

Looking for opinions on the following

• I'm considering welding bars on the tracks to increase the grouser height, I was thinking about using 1/2" bar stock. Worth it?
• Should I be concerned about the gouges around the bolt holes? (Plasma cutter)

All comments are appreciated!!

Thanks guys