A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Tracked, Halftrack, etc... Military Vehicles, Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base

Moderator: Kevin Lockwood

User avatar
mkoloc
LTC, U.S. Army
LTC, U.S. Army
Posts: 848
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:52 pm
Location: 1631 Bitter Creek Lane, Batavia OH 45103
Contact:

A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by mkoloc » Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:28 am

After years of thinking about when the opportunity would present itself, I am finally able to get to the replacement of track on the Queen and the brake system rebuild on the rear drums!

Spent yesterday removing the driver side track and setting up for the removal of one set of bogies as I managed to break my rear bogie shaft (C86082) during the photo shoot with Hagerty.

Had the privilege years ago of working on a halftrack documentary with Tim Board when I was stationed at Ft. Benning. The hour long documentary included some great combat and training footage of halftracks during WWII and interviews with WWII and Korean Vets who served on tracks. Among the footage is an Army Training short showing two soldiers replacing a completely thrown track in 9 minutes flat. Inspired by that footage I was able to get my track removed by my tired old butt in 35 minutes. The only prep work I did was to remove the long bolt (Forcing Screw) and housing and cleaning and freeing up the bolt which thankfully my Big impact handled very nicely with a little help from my torch.

The forcing screw did a great job of compressing my Idler arm spring and provided the amount of slack I needed to slip the track off the idler wheel with a little help of a crow bar. The rest of the track came off pretty easily and from start to finish took 35 minutes. Not saying that putting on the new track when I get to that point will be as fast, but I feel that removing the passenger side track will go just as easy and I won’t have to remove any bogie assemblies.

I am using some chain to pull my bogies up and a ten ton hydraulic bottle jack in addition to the usual wrenches and sockets but nothing else other that the tools you would have found on the track back in the day.

I went on you tube to see if there was any decent footage of track being changed out and needless to say was very disappointed at what I found. So I am going to shoot a video on the removal and installation of the passenger side track and post it within the next couple of weeks.
Some pics of my progress. Sorry for the poor light conditions as my big light bulb burned out right after removing the track:

Image

Image
LTC Mark Koloc USA (RET)
MVPA Member # 31144
1631 Bitter Creek Lane
Batavia, OH 45103
Cell: 1.715.821.9426
mkoloc44@yahoo.com


User avatar
mkoloc
LTC, U.S. Army
LTC, U.S. Army
Posts: 848
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:52 pm
Location: 1631 Bitter Creek Lane, Batavia OH 45103
Contact:

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by mkoloc » Mon Dec 02, 2019 9:04 am

Pics of the drivers side bolt and bracket. Took it off to clean up but even with the impact wrench it would not budge. After a significant application of heat it came apart but as you'll note in the Pics it was badly damaged as it look like it was literally welded to the mount after years of sitting. The passenger side came apart nicely and that's what I used to remove the track on the drivers side. In the process of scrounging up a replacement unit.

Image

Image
LTC Mark Koloc USA (RET)
MVPA Member # 31144
1631 Bitter Creek Lane
Batavia, OH 45103
Cell: 1.715.821.9426
mkoloc44@yahoo.com

8683jb
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 193
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2016 2:48 pm
Location: United States

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by 8683jb » Mon Dec 02, 2019 10:44 am

Brings back a lot of not-so-sweet memories! If you were still in AZ I'd drive over and give you a hand, but you'll be done by the time I could get to Ohio! Good luck with it all.

Jon
'42 Autocar M2A1 Half-track
'41 G518 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur Trailer

MVPA member

User avatar
mkoloc
LTC, U.S. Army
LTC, U.S. Army
Posts: 848
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:52 pm
Location: 1631 Bitter Creek Lane, Batavia OH 45103
Contact:

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by mkoloc » Mon Dec 02, 2019 12:57 pm

Jon your a true Brother in Armor and I know you mean it! Actually my brother Geoff is staying with us until he gets settled in his own place and he is just as crazy about these beasts as I am … so I have the proverbial extra set of hands available!

Received the draft of the Hagerty article today with pics and ist a real A$$ kicker. Just a couple of minor corrections after proofing it. It comes out in the January-February Magazine 2020. I'll post a copy as soon as I can do so legally :lol:
LTC Mark Koloc USA (RET)
MVPA Member # 31144
1631 Bitter Creek Lane
Batavia, OH 45103
Cell: 1.715.821.9426
mkoloc44@yahoo.com

yd328
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 644
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:34 pm
Location: CT

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by yd328 » Mon Dec 02, 2019 3:12 pm

Mark,
Nice work on a bear of a job. I'm looking forward to seeing the article.

Gary
MVPA Member
M2A1 Half Track ( Undergoing Resto)
M10 Ammo Trailer

Darth_Kitten
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 157
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:43 pm
Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by Darth_Kitten » Mon Dec 02, 2019 3:35 pm

Been there, done that! Great work! Can't wait to see the end result!
1942 M3 Diamond T Halftrack
1945 42WLA
1944 Studebaker M29C Weasel
Jul '42 WC-55 (gone)
Feb '42 Slat Grille (gone)

MVPA #27536

User avatar
mkoloc
LTC, U.S. Army
LTC, U.S. Army
Posts: 848
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:52 pm
Location: 1631 Bitter Creek Lane, Batavia OH 45103
Contact:

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by mkoloc » Mon Dec 02, 2019 4:57 pm

Excited to get the job done. Have to admit, the thought was more daunting than the task so far.
LTC Mark Koloc USA (RET)
MVPA Member # 31144
1631 Bitter Creek Lane
Batavia, OH 45103
Cell: 1.715.821.9426
mkoloc44@yahoo.com

User avatar
mkoloc
LTC, U.S. Army
LTC, U.S. Army
Posts: 848
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:52 pm
Location: 1631 Bitter Creek Lane, Batavia OH 45103
Contact:

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by mkoloc » Tue Dec 03, 2019 1:31 pm

Crazy day with lots of distractions, but managed to get in a couple of hours in the shop. Drive sprocket and Brake drum removed. The bearings are in incredible shape as was the shoes, hardware and drum. Axle look very good and she should go back together nicely. Pulled the rear bogie pair to replace that shaft and that came apart nicely. New shaft should be here by the end of the week, fingers crossed :D.

Picked up a couple of Tomahawk Steaks for tonights dinner for myself and my kid brother. Filet for the wife ... I decided to celebrate the Hagerty Article. Wife said the steaks looked like something out of the Flintstones Cartoon. Pics of todays progress!

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
LTC Mark Koloc USA (RET)
MVPA Member # 31144
1631 Bitter Creek Lane
Batavia, OH 45103
Cell: 1.715.821.9426
mkoloc44@yahoo.com

8683jb
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 193
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2016 2:48 pm
Location: United States

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by 8683jb » Tue Dec 03, 2019 2:19 pm

...Wife said the steaks looked like something out of the Flintstones Cartoon.
I always say thank God for cows & pigs!
'42 Autocar M2A1 Half-track
'41 G518 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur Trailer

MVPA member

User avatar
mkoloc
LTC, U.S. Army
LTC, U.S. Army
Posts: 848
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:52 pm
Location: 1631 Bitter Creek Lane, Batavia OH 45103
Contact:

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by mkoloc » Tue Dec 03, 2019 3:07 pm

Amen to that brother JB :D
LTC Mark Koloc USA (RET)
MVPA Member # 31144
1631 Bitter Creek Lane
Batavia, OH 45103
Cell: 1.715.821.9426
mkoloc44@yahoo.com

User avatar
mkoloc
LTC, U.S. Army
LTC, U.S. Army
Posts: 848
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:52 pm
Location: 1631 Bitter Creek Lane, Batavia OH 45103
Contact:

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by mkoloc » Thu Dec 05, 2019 8:38 am

Work done yesterday, time permitting! Love the original Bendix cosmoline wrapped boxes. Product as fresh as the day they were made.

Image

Image

Image
LTC Mark Koloc USA (RET)
MVPA Member # 31144
1631 Bitter Creek Lane
Batavia, OH 45103
Cell: 1.715.821.9426
mkoloc44@yahoo.com

8683jb
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 193
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2016 2:48 pm
Location: United States

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by 8683jb » Thu Dec 05, 2019 10:13 am

Looks very nice. Love your drop-cloth!!
'42 Autocar M2A1 Half-track
'41 G518 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur Trailer

MVPA member

User avatar
mkoloc
LTC, U.S. Army
LTC, U.S. Army
Posts: 848
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:52 pm
Location: 1631 Bitter Creek Lane, Batavia OH 45103
Contact:

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by mkoloc » Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:10 pm

Thank You for noticing :lol:
Was incensed when illegals in the U.S. (Down Texas, Arizona Way) were flying Mexican flags over the U.S. Flag on business or not flying the U.S. Flag at all only the Mexican flag. Patriots who cut these flags down or confronted those doing this were attacked and even arrested by police.

This Combat VET Don't Hunt!! So I decided I needed a new rag / mat / drop cloth in my shop.

My mother is Spanish, my adopted sister is from Africa, my youngest adopted brother is German, my dad is a white slice from Slovakia and I am a mutt who grew up in the UN House. I'm not a bigot, I'm a typical American patriot who loves his country and our flag and has shed blood for both. Just doing my bit regards a social commentary on those who would disrespect my country!!

Done with the brakes on the drivers side. Need to make a new gasket for the hub and waiting for the new shaft to arrive so I can get my bogie cluster back together and installed. Then the new track. Couple of pics:

Image

Image
Last edited by mkoloc on Thu Dec 05, 2019 2:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.
LTC Mark Koloc USA (RET)
MVPA Member # 31144
1631 Bitter Creek Lane
Batavia, OH 45103
Cell: 1.715.821.9426
mkoloc44@yahoo.com

8683jb
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 193
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2016 2:48 pm
Location: United States

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by 8683jb » Thu Dec 05, 2019 2:10 pm

mkoloc wrote:
Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:10 pm
"Thank You for noticing :lol:
Was incensed when illegals in the U.S. (Down Texas, Arizona Way) were flying Mexican flags over the U.S. Flag on business or not flying the U.S. Flag at all only the Mexican flag. Patriots who cut these flags down or confronted those doing this were attacked and even arrested by police.

This Combat VET Don't Hunt!! So I decided I needed a new rag / mat / drop cloth in my shop.

My mother is Spanish, my adopted sister is from Africa, my youngest adopted brother is German and my dad a is white slice from Slovakia. and I am a mutt who grew up in the UN House. I'm not a bigot, I'm a typical American patriot who loves his country and our flag and has shed blood for both. Just doing my bit regards a social commentary on those who would disrespect my country!!"



AMEN to ALL of that!!!!!!! And thanks so much again for your service and sacrifice!

The brakes look great. It's a good feeling when the drums go back on!
'42 Autocar M2A1 Half-track
'41 G518 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur Trailer

MVPA member

User avatar
mkoloc
LTC, U.S. Army
LTC, U.S. Army
Posts: 848
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:52 pm
Location: 1631 Bitter Creek Lane, Batavia OH 45103
Contact:

Re: A New "Pair of Shoes" for the Queen

Post by mkoloc » Thu Dec 05, 2019 3:04 pm

Thank you Jon. Your are correct sir, great feeling getting the drum back on. My bearings were in great shape and I'm grateful for those in the past who kept up on the Queens maintenance. The bogie bearings are everyone so far, in great shape and the 1st thing I did, was to change out all the zerk fittings for new and grease the bejesus out of the track components before moving her under her own power.
LTC Mark Koloc USA (RET)
MVPA Member # 31144
1631 Bitter Creek Lane
Batavia, OH 45103
Cell: 1.715.821.9426
mkoloc44@yahoo.com


Post Reply

Return to “Tracked”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 55 guests