Had a totally peaceful night here at the lakehouse. Didn’t get up until after 7:30am, but I’m sure some of that was due to the various time changes we’ve been through. And, we had to catch up from our lack of sleep beside the train tracks the other night!
Today, I worked on installing the new air helper springs in Sherman’s rear suspension. The kit comes in pieces which are specifically designed for this vehicle, so everything should fit easily into place.
Should.
I started on the drivers side first since I knew it would be the most difficult of the two given that the exhaust is in the way.
I’m figuring that when they design these kits, they must have just a bare chassis to work with since they don’t seem to mention that your exhaust and shocks may be in the way. So the instructions tell you to put the air bag together with the brackets before installation, and that’s what I did, but there was no way the assembly would fit in there, and I really don’t think it would fit even with the exhaust and shock removed.
So I read online that one guy had installed the brackets first and then compressed the air bag to slide it in place. He warned that it’s not easy and you need some patience to tighten the bolts. So I took it all apart and did it that way, and it did work.
There’s a bracket and two bolts that need to be removed from the original chassis. These bolts had been in there for 16 years, so I didn’t think I’d be able to get them out given that I’m only working with hand tools. But I was totally amazed that I was able to loosen and remove the bolts.
It took me pretty much all day to get the one side installed, so that was enough. I’ll work on the passenger side tomorrow, and that should go a lot smoother. I must have crawled underneath Sherman about 20 times today, and there’s not a lot of room to work. Might have some sore muscles tomorrow!
Sat and relaxed with Pete and watched TV, like normal people do in the evening. Pam is working in town so she won’t be back until Wednesday night. Interesting for a change, but I have to admit I don’t miss watching TV.
You need to come back to Mexico where you can sit in the sun all day and eat fresh strawberries!!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like my job Sat with the axle shaft on the front of my truck, Thank God I have the jacks, stands, air tools and compressor, but who would have thought that the shock had to be loosened first and moved. When we did notice it was tight we loosened the nut and then it went far enough through for the shock to go up about a half inch and thoroughly be jammed at an angle that defied prying. I finally got a bottle jack and jacked the control arm up so the shock was level with the hole again and got it back in, and then like you we put the axle shaft back in, and started over with the shock removal first. The job went fast after that. Maybe the other side will be easier for you today.. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a challenge but rewarding once you finally get it done. Good luck today.
ReplyDeleteLes...We would love to be back there, especially miss those strawberries, they were so good.
ReplyDeleteSam and Donna...I read about your day with the axle, I think you had a better time with it than Kevin is. Day 2 and he still doesn't have the job completed. Hopefully today!
George and Suzie...Definitely a challenge and thanks for the luck!
Kevin, Ruth and Whiskey