M915 Question/ Help

[bguy193]

Hoping somebody out there can help me with this one. Yesterday I was gonna tighten the fan belts up a bit. The first bolt I got on was the one right next to the tension bolt and it busted right off. I couldn't believe a bolt that size just snapped that easily. I know to fix it I'll have to pull the plate off the engine that the fan clutch mounts to, but I'm supposed to recover a trailer next week on Friday. My question is, do you think I can run with only two of the three bolts to make the 6 hour trip? Or should I park it and get to fixing? My main concern is if it will hold up under load when the fan clutch disengages and the belts start pulling the fan. I don't want it to come apart and take out the radiator and do all kinds of other damage. I'm also worried that with the way that bolt snapped if I start digging in to this thing and start breaking more stuff than I will be down for quite a while and not be able to pick up the trailer. Any Ideas?? I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

 

[WillWagner]

Check your PMs.

 

[Hooty481]

That's not a good deal at al. I just tightened my fan belts and replaced the water pump belt and idler pulley for the water pump belt. Didn't have any trouble.

Those fan belt bolts are big I didn't think they would break that easy. I used a 3/4 wrench to take mine off. When you decide to take the other 2 bolts out I would try to hit the tops of the bolts with a hammer a couple times. This should help break them free. I hope you get her back together soon.

 

[NDT]

I would fix it first. You are "NMC" (not mission capable). Think of the wrecker bill.

 

[bguy193]

.........UPDATE.........After talking the matter over with WillWagner today I got started on the tear down........Got the mounting plate off about 20 min ago and will drop it off at the local machine shop tomorrow for the bolt extraction. A special thanks goes out to WillWagner for the helpful info, he is a great guy and was willing to help. That is one of the greatest things about SS, there is always help available if you ask. Thanks everybody.

 

[bguy193]

M915 Broken Bolt...UPDATE...

As I mentioned in my last post I had contacted WillWagner this morning about my problem and afterwards I had moved on to disassemble the fan clutch and mounting assembly so I could take the mounting plate into a machine shop for removal of what was left of the broken bolt. After removing the mounting plate I laid it face down on the workbench and filled the back side of the threaded bolt hole with PB Blaster. About an hour later I went out and the lube had chased the threads and the whole pool of lube had ran out onto the workbench. I grabed the small nub that was still sticking out of the front of the plate with a pair of channel locks and it backed on out.......WHEW........So I chased all the threads with a tap and when I reassemble I will use Anti-Seize and that should take care of any possible future issues with the fan belt adjusting. While I have it all apart I am also gonna change the two fan belts because #1 they look pretty ratty and #2 it will be easy enough to do without the fan clutch mounted to the engine. Now all I have to do Is pick up a replacement bolt, a couple of belts, and I should be back in action for the trailer recovery on Friday.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

Nice Job!! Hate trying to get broke bolts out.

 

[73m819]

Why TWO threads on the same BOLT DA, real bad for search, merged them,

 

[JH1]

It might be a good idea to replace the other bolts, seeing as how the gorilla that tightened that broken bolt also tightened the other related ones, too.
Jim

 

[bguy193]

It might be a good idea to replace the other bolts, seeing as how the gorilla that tightened that broken bolt also tightened the other related ones, too.
Jim

Yup I figured I'd go ahead and change em. Went by Springfield Tractor and Trailer today and got belts, tomorrow I'll get the bolts, and Wedensday I will piece her back together. I will be good for Friday.