Don't Run into Rocks

[DeuceIsLoose]

Hi Folks,

I had the Deuce in the creek over Christmas and in an effort not to get stuck again (I was on my second run) smashed into some rocks. This is what happened (see pics).

Looks like I sheared 2 bolts and broke off the top forward tab of the bracket.

But shouldn't be too hard to repair.

Let me know if you all have any advice other than put some new bolts in and/or weld the bracket back on.

Thanks.

Donnie

 

[jwaller]

wow. those are rivets and somehow you managed to shear the bracket. I'd replace it all with something other than what you have. replace it don't repair it.

 

[mlwats1@hotmail.com]

i have a spare you pay shipping

 

[scooter01922]

Let me know if you all have any advice other than put some new bolts in and/or weld the bracket back on.

yeah.......don't hit rocks so hard

 

[avengeusa]

you had to hit extremely hard, driving it like a true soldier i bet, lol

many tons of pressure did that, really amazing how strong steel breaks like that, but i guess it could have been fatigued, or cracked beforehand.....

interesting

 

[rmgill]

How are your wrists?

 

[bulldog_mack13]

Bet the steering wheel looks like the one John Cady /Dale Griffth bent forward in Plans Trains and Automobles

 

[littlebob]

Where did you got to find the rocks? I've seen some a couple of hours north. I would change the bracket (maybe take " mlwats1@hotmail.com " on his
offer. PM me when you get a chance, it would great to meet another local member

 

[DeuceIsLoose]

It was a pretty good jolt to say the least. We were probably going 15-20. I was close to the side of the creek and the water must have washed out a sinkhole right at the edge of these rocks. So, I kind of sank and smashed into only on the right side all at once. Luckily I was wearing the seat belt, otherwise I probably would have had a dent in my stomach from the steering wheel. I'm just surprised we didn't blow the tire.

 

[Pawnshop]

You are lucky you still have that silly copper fuel line that runs under the crossmember, why they put that there I will never know......

 

[BEASTMASTER]

"a man has got to know his limitations"

 

[DeuceIsLoose]

Hey All,

Thanks again to Mark for giving me his spare bracket. We got it on last weekend. Had to grind and beat out the old rivets. Then the hardest part was pulling the axle forward to line up the new bracket with the frame. The axle had slid backwards and the back bracket was folded all the ways backwards. So we had to use a chain come-along to pull the axle forward. I was lucky my uncle had two jacks one big and one small. We used the big one to hold the truck up and we put the little one between the frame and the leafs to give us some clearance so the bracket would like up with the existing holes in the frame.

It wasn't too difficult overall. But if we didn't have the chain come-along and the jacks it would have been much more challenging. I attached a pic.

Thanks again Mark-- I really appeciate it. This has got to be much better than welding the old one back on.

Donnie

 

[FreightTrain]

Ummm,are those Grade 5 bolts?!?!?!?!If they are change them to Grade 8 ASAP.....That is a lot of stress....

 

[dc3coyote]

Those are grade 8s, disregard anything I said before

 

[BFR]

as much force as it had to take to do that I would be suprised if that is the only thing bent/ broken. I would at the very least pull apart and inspect the spindle on that corner and keep a close eye on it in the future.

 

[rat4spd]

Those are grade 5, you can see the three marks on the last one. and yes change them out before you try to conqur any more of the LA rocks.

Look like grade 8 to me. It's hard but you can just see 6 ticks. Look at the top right bolt. A grade 5 wont have two ticks opposite each other.

 

[DeuceIsLoose]

Well, I pulled them from the Grade 8 bins at Home Depot. Did I get screwed?

 

[rat4spd]

Well, I pulled them from the Grade 8 bins at Home Depot. Did I get screwed?

They look like grade 8. Count the ticks. Grade 8 = 6 ticks.

 

[DeuceIsLoose]

I think I did fine--check this pic out.

 

[rat4spd]

I think I did fine--check this pic out.

Grade 8 they are.