I cut out and replace the track idler tension springs on the Cat 951C. I wanted to see if I could make a spring compressor out of an oxygen cylinder and it was a success!!!
Nice job. Another option to speed things up would be to 'make' your own custom socket to use for tightening the all-thread nuts with the electric impact wrench by cutting a socket in two and welding a piece of pipe between the halves in order to fabricate a 10" custom socket. Then you could eliminate the use of the wrench to run the nuts down. Poor man has poor ways, as my dad used to say.
I thought of that and if I had multiples to do then I would find some sort of power drive. An impact puts too much local stress on the threads. Not poor. I was told it couldn't be done. And it is.
Tracks n Teeth for the springs. The rest I ordered from a company in Florida who's name I can't remember. But there are several around. Search for parts by part number and you'll be surprised.
Replacing the tensioner seals on my Dad's 951c. Can you compress the spring with the nut on the back? Having a bear of a time figuring out how to get the piston out. Thanks!
You can compress the spring by placing a bucket pin across the top of the drive sprocket and backing the machine up. If the threads are still good then you can tighten the nut. If that works then you only need to take the outer stop out to lift the assembly after removing the 4 bolts around the idler ram. Don't take chances!
Would you mind to share the part numbers you picked up.. I am needing to do the same job, but I can not find the parts.. My parts manual has not arrived yet!!
That's a tall order. A CAT dealer can email you the page with the diagram with all the PN's. The springs and some of the parts came from "Tracks-n-Teeth" They have an FB page.
when the american injenuity dies so will america i needed cat to come out just to get them here was350 dollars so i took a week vacation saved myself 2xxx not bad heavy work but you gotta have lifts to do the grunt
