M101a1 trailer rebuild

[xjghost]

So I’ve been coming here looking at info and working on a trailer I saved. I picked it up in February this year. Plan was to put it back to as close to factory as I could and convert it to dump. Yes I know these aren’t dump trailers. Plan was to brace the tongue and the pivot mounts where it will rotate. It was free just had to drive up to NC and get it. I live in Camden, SC

 

[xjghost]

I found a complete axle for $75 in Florida. A friend who lives in the same town picked it up for me and brought it to Atlanta which was 4 - 5 hours closer.

 

[xjghost]

I tried to get the old axle out but it ended up being a pain. So a cut off wheel made short work of the u bolts and it took a torch and air hammer to get the pieces out of the old axle.

 

[xjghost]

Next mission was to go get some tires and rims. This trailer had none. I found 4 up in NC for $400. So off I went on another adventure.


He bought out a guy retiring from MV restoration and parts sales. He had left hand nuts and 2 more rims. So of course I snagged them too.

 

[xjghost]

Net getting the axle and tires mounted and the trailer to my shop in Hartsville for the welding up of the bracing.


Don’t mind the sketchy method used to get the job done in my back yard.

 

[xjghost]

Once that was done mounted the tires and put the trailer on my car hauler to move it to Hartsville.

 

[xjghost]

Used some 2” x 3” angle I had laying around to brace the tongue and mounts.

 

[xjghost]

Next I tore into the axle to see why the drum was hanging up.

The actuator rod where the cable mounted was bent. Used my old axle parts and replaced it with one not bent.

 

[xjghost]

So now we get to the brakes. Had a hard time finding the cables. Even called and messaged a company and got no response. I stumbled across this thread: https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/m101a1-hand-brake-cable.195456/

I searched the part numbers and found a set on eBay for $25

 

[xjghost]

I found the cable tube on the braking plate mangled. So it had to be cut off. once mounted the cable appears the right length but the metal shield seems short or I have it mounted in the wrong spot. The pdf says it’s held in place with the bracket and a u bolt.


So here we are. I dismantled the hand brake controller and they are in bad shape. I’ll likely get some new ones.

 

[M813rc]

Good save on that trailer. I love the tree in the lunette!

Cheers

 

[kblazer87]

Looking good so far.

 

[juanprado]

not sure which spring pack you used but the original m116a1e1 I believe has extra leafs for additional weight load capacity around 500 for 3590

 

[xjghost]

Messed with it some today. Tore down a hand brake and looked into the piece of tube the cable goes in. Not sure what I’ll do going forward with the tube. I’ll call tomorrow about the hand lever.

 

[xjghost]

Small update. No work done yet. I called Kratzke Machining & Fabricating Company Monday and left a message. He called back Tuesday. I sent an email in about the parts with a picture from this thread. https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/m101-trailer-series-brand-new-brake-levers.200176/
Got my quote today of $155 each. PayPal'd $310 and they should ship today. I will update both threads when I get them in hand. I found a piece of 1/5 tube to see if it will work as a replacement to the piece rusted out and crushed on my brake backing plate.

 

[xjghost]

Received them today. Can’t complain about anything. Great service and great communication. Looks to be an exact duplicate to me. My only concern is the fact that mine bent were the stick out from the frame. I might build a dolt on support brace. Now I need tub brackets and how it attaches to the frame and a front leg. I have a line on a parts trailer with all that but it’s $300 I can’t spare right now.

 

[juanprado]

Now I need tub brackets and how it attaches to the frame and a front leg. I have a line on a parts trailer with all that but it’s $300 I can’t spare right now.

I need to verify but believe I have a front fixed leg. Send me a pm

 

[xjghost]

Looks like I'm heading to NC for a parts trailer. Haven't had the time to do any work on the brakes yet. Can someone tell me how the tubs attach to the frame? I thought it was these brackets. Just don't see any holes in the frame.

https://isteam.wsimg.com/ip/73d7139c-f8d7-11e4-b3b6-14feb5d40a06/ols/6997_original/:/rs=w:600,h:600

Parts trailer.

 

[xjghost]

So got it home. Now I have a front gear and 2 more rims. I need to source some good tires. 9R16’s are pricey. Is there any 16” that is a skinny 35” other than Boggers? P-metric?


Also gives me some brackets needed and shows me how the two mate. Hopefully next weekend I can get back at it.

 

[fb40dash5]

Is there any 16” that is a skinny 35” other than Boggers? P-metric?

285/85R16s are about as skinny, 35" as you can get AFAIK.