2016 Cat 299D2 XHP Rebuilt from Burnout - Aux Lines Not Pressurizing

Progress the past couple days. I am confident that I'm on the right track with the swash plate as the old one has a deep scratch in it, with a proud ridge. I'm sure that with the brass feet of the cylinders turning that would shave off brass flakes. You can see how the foot was even turning while scratching here:


The swash plate pivots on two ball bearings, and is loaded by a 3/4" pin that's spring-loaded. I got those parts with the new swash plate, and the new spring was two concentric ones and quite a bit stronger than the old spring. BUT the new springs were also longer! So long that the pin would not start in its hole and caught on the edge. There is no way to put the upper shell on, and get at that pin to line it up with its hole. Figuring that Cat techs wouldn't put up with this, I just reused the old spring which allowed the pin to start.

I got the new swash plate installed but the top shell still would not close down that final gap. I finally figured out that the problem was that double-seal down around the spline shaft, beyond the roller bearings. With some slippery compressor oil on the shell's shaft, and a little assertive pressure, it *splink* slid satisfyingly down.

But in the process of trying to figure out how to get the thing together I took off the end-cap on the hydraulic end. I eaased out the jesus-clip, and *SPRONNG* the end cap popped off. (*Sproinng* 'Jesus, where did it go?') Turns out there's a giant triple spring pressing on the cap (three springs inside one another, concentrically). Man, how will I ever get that back together? Even my whole weight isn't enough to compress that spring.


Turns out a couple 1,000lb Home Depot clamps and a socket. Notice the bend in the angle-iron? I eaased the jesus-clip back in and bob's your uncle. I'll return the clamps for a refund since they've banned me for life from no-receipt refunds. Contractors do alot of volume, and I guess having bought tens of $thousands from them isn't important in their calculation. So I 'borrow' tools from them now. THANK you Home Depot!

Managed to struggle the final drive back out to the machine and manhandle it back into place. Got the speed sensor in and hoses connected, and sprocket on. Now just need to get the track on. Need to rent a 'tip-tow' (towable engine hoist) to get that 1,600lb track on, with the help of the car.

Also yesterday I drained the hydraulic oil, and boy was it foul.

Black dirty and lots of particles and brass flakes. I knew it would be and intended to change it about now (24 hours on the machine), but apparently I've waited too long given the damage to the final drive, and who knows what else. I knew that most of the particles will have settled since the machine has sat for a week or so so I stirred up the tank before I began draining. Then I reversed the shop-vac and blew into the fill port to force the oil out faster and cause disruption. Got all kinds of crap out, and let it drain overnight now. Today I'll pour in some clean oil to help rinse and do a final blow.

I guess this final drive problem was my fault for waiting too long to change the oil. But now it's getting done and about 50% of it will be new. Hopefully the majority of the particles were in the tank.

I'm thinking you could write children's stories.

Scary childrens' stories? Stories that make them age 10 years?

Yeah, I was afraid to but finally tried it. Hardly better than it was. But I'm pretty sure I've fixed the brass shavings.

Lift arms and tilt are fine, and the right side is fine, but the left side is still hardly moving. About all that's left to cause this is the left traction pump. Although in reverse, it seems to move almost normal. This implies that its pump might actually be Ok.

Could this be a hanging spool in the pump? Surely there is a spool, to amplify the action of the solenoid, although I know nothing about the anatomy of the pumps.

I think that if it is a pump problem it's almost beyond me. $1,000 for a half-day on the Aux lines will look like a bargain compared to them working on the pumps.

THIS is why I stay away from burnouts...……...the problems never end before you spend $100K.

Not really.

It's easy to retreat to this attitude, especially if you half-ass things.

If you do the rebuild right like I did... and change the oil after it has a chance to wash through the system, like at 5-10 hours, it can pay off. I waited 24 hours and that was deadly.

I think we would all like to know how many hours you have into this thing. Times a mechanic's billable rate.

Birken Vogt said:

I think we would all like to know how many hours you have into this thing. Times a mechanic's billable rate.

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I think it's commendable that he did what others said couldn't be done. He went into this knowing it would be cheaper to buy a complete machine but didn't want to spend that much. He would rather invest his time into a project than his money.

Birken Vogt said:

I think we would all like to know how many hours you have into this thing. Times a mechanic's billable rate.

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Guess that would depend on how much one values their time. If the other use of ones time is sitting in a chair watching reruns on TV while drinking beer the hours might not matter. (not that the drinking beer is a bad thing!)

Now if the time spent is taking one away from another job that would be bringing in $25 to $75 dollars an hour that would be a different story. Or if the machine is needed for a project that will bring in lots of money that also is a different story.

I know for a fact that many times if I figured in the hours I worked on something at even $20 per hour I would have been financially money ahead to toss that chain saw, snow blower or whatever in the scrap bin. But sometimes the satisfaction of taking someone else's cast off and getting it to work again is worth more than the loss of "profit"!

In the last 50 years I bought one new walk behind lawn mower. But I've sold or just plain given away four or five good running mowers! Now if I could just find a good solid mower deck for the almost perfect motor I have I would be happy!

Correct Peej. Others should have a little respect and not try to judge how wise my decisions are, especially in the context of my life, not yours. pfff
You can just leave that to me.

Birken Vogt said:

I think we would all like to know how many hours you have into this thing. Times a mechanic's billable rate.

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Six months' full-time. You multiply it out.

But this conclusion will be bogus given a) that I am not a mechanic, I'm a real estate developer, b) I decided that during this period this is the best use of my time, and c) apparently I'm breaking new ground, and making these things possible for others. You don't realize Birken Vogt that we have a monsoon season here, that I was waiting for my permits, matters with my finances, and other considerations.

Is that Okay with you?

Now if you're not here to advise with what actually matters to most of us, please feel free to f*ck off.

Quantum said:

Correct Peej. Others should have a little respect and not try to judge how wise my decisions are, especially in the context of my life, not yours. pfff
You can just leave that to me.


Six months' full-time. You multiply it out.

But this conclusion will be bogus given a) that I am not a mechanic, I'm a real estate developer, b) I decided that during this period this is the best use of my time, and c) apparently I'm breaking new ground, and making these things possible for others. You don't realize Birken Vogt that we have a monsoon season here, that I was waiting for my permits, matters with my finances, and other considerations.

Is that Okay with you?

Now if you're not here to advise with what actually matters to most of us, please feel free to f*ck off.

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I find the fact you that rebuilt this thing very interesting to follow, you've done a ton of trouble shooting , problem solving, and explained a lot of it. Not sure why you would get so pissed off by a genuine question though. I don't think he means any disrespect, it's a legit question, isn't it? I've wondered the same as I'm sure many others have as well, its obviously worth YOUR time to do a rebuild like this, why let a question get you all riled up.

Because I have a major god damned problem which is stopping me from the real mission: doing a 5 house development. I have many pressures which apparently some of you can not understand.

And at least amongst gentlemen, it is disrespectful to question another's decisions, especially stupidly when one does not have the facts. Life is hard. I am not interested in making it harder. If someone is so rude and disrespectful as to impinge on my prerogatives, I will smack them. The only thing that some understand is force.

If we are to stick with 'science' and not 'politics', I have to solve this problem, because it should be implicit that I have to move forward. Many other things are going on which I have not troubled you with here. But what I have been consistent with is sharing information... and asking for expertise from those who may actually know and are willing to share it. I am trying to be civilized here, as I understand the term.

Or, have I been wasting my time and effort here?

Good evening quantum
Like I said before I admire your tenacity in this project. And I fully understand and respect the reasoning behind this. I say this so that you won't blow a gasket and kill over from high blood pressure. Keep up the good work and ignore any questioning of your motives. You don't need to justify anything to anyone. If you are good with it then that is all that matters. To be honest I have wondered why you have put so much time and effort into this project and wanted to ask you about it. But I truly do understand the why, so I don't ask. You are a true renaissance man and the world would benefit greatly if more people would take the initiative you have. Keep on keeping on and I am looking forward for your success in this.

Quantum said:

If we are to stick with 'science' and not 'politics', I have to solve this problem, because it should be implicit that I have to move forward. Many other things are going on which I have not troubled you with here. But what I have been consistent with is sharing information... and asking for expertise from those who may actually know and are willing to share it. I am trying to be civilized here, as I understand the term.

Or, have I been wasting my time and effort here?

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Respectfully, I think you may have burnt those bridges the last time people tried to assist you here. Sometimes, a little humility can go a long way.
Best of luck with your drive issues.

Having received a number of complaints about Quantum on several occasions, warning him about his treatment of other members here and observing this latest exchange we've made the decision to bring it to an unfortunate end. We appreciate the ingenuity and ambition displayed but the short temper and foul language and treatment is not welcome. Our apologies to the rest of the membership, but these policies are what have made HEF the place it's come to be.