FLU419 SEE HMMH HME Owners group

Is it possible that the control arm was bent, making it slightly shorter and this is why the holes don't line up? If so, when the control arm was bent that may be what caused the bolt to shear off.

glcaines said:

Is it possible that the control arm was bent, making it slightly shorter and this is why the holes don't line up? If so, when the control arm was bent that may be what caused the bolt to shear off.

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It's not bent as far as I can tell. For sure it's not bent enough to make it that short. There is no sign the control arm had fallen down and drug. For sure that would have bent it if it had. There was a stub of the bolt still in the bracket that I suspect held it in place until it was parked.

I did not mention it in the previous post, but the hole in the mounting bracket the bolt goes through was kind of wallowed out. It had been working back and forth for a while. I was using the front end loader to scrape weeds off disturbed soil. While doing that I ran into an occasional rock, and I suspect that is what caused it to shear off.

If the rod hasn't changed length, move the chassis over to make the holes line up.

The FLU farm said:

If the rod hasn't changed length, move the chassis over to make the holes line up.

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OK, I guess my question is how do I move the Chassis over, and what caused it to change. I have been searching for any information on the threaded bar that looks like it could spread the frame out, but have not found it in either manual or the parts manual. Does anyone know what it is called?

If I'm thinking about the correct part it's the Panhard rod. Without it the axle can move laterally somewhat freely.

You could try using a winch, even a very small hand powered one, or it might work to turn the steering until things line up. The latter would be quicker if you can have someone turn the wheel for you.

rtrask said:

Hi everyone, it has been a long time.

I have been using my SEE a fair amount lately. The bolt that attaches the front control arm sheered off for some reason. I bought a replacement bolt, but the control arm is too long for the holes to line up. The manual doesn't help, it basically just says put the bolts in and torque them.

View attachment 952657

It's off by probably 5 mm or so. I can get a punch in the hole but can't get it to line up. There is a threaded rod above it that I could try to screw it out, but I am afraid to screw with that, and I'm not sure there is enough travel. I have not found any guidance on that. If I do adjust that, should I leave it wide, or adjust it back to where it was. Any ideas are appreciated.

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THE quintessential SEE-Whisperer here is hands-down:

- The FLU farm

Likely he will have an idea for you, rtrask, with his next visit to the site...

Another Ahab said:

THE quintessential SEE-Whisperer here is hands-down:

- The FLU farm

Likely he will have an idea for you, rtrask, with his next visit to the site...

Click to expand...

Ooops, I was slow on the draw. Not the first time.

Well, a winch is the wrong solution, as I need to spread it a bit. I have been thinking about cutting a 4x4 to length and using a bottle jack to spread it out a bit. I am pretty sure the threaded rod is not a panhard. It goes from one of the Chassis rails to the other and does not connect to the axle. See the picture.



I think that the threaded rod adjustment may be the way to go. The picture is not too clear. I think I can just remove the outer nuts and then screw the inner nuts out to force the rails outward till the control arm fits. Then I think I should leave the width alone and put the outer nuts on to lock it in place. I am not sure that this is the right procedure but unless someone has a better idea that's likely what I will do.

I think I have another issue though. I think the right front wheel is towed in. Take a look, I am not sure you can tell by the picture.

Alright, I need to take a peek under a FLU and see what rod you're talking about here. Not a Panhard rod, and not a control arm from what I can tell.

The easier task is setting the toe-in. It automatically evens out between the two tires, so don't worry about the right or left tire, but adjust whichever side centers the steering wheel. If the toe is off in the first place that is. Measure it before adjusting anything.