Markheliops

Further investigations continued today - Sunday. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000001-1.jpg[/img] I started by jacking the centre axle and spinning the road wheels in gear. What I found was rather alarming movement - both up and down and in and out of the main input and output shaft. I decided to strip down the top of the axle - as far as I could without having to actually remove it. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000002.jpg[/img] http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000006.jpg[/img] First thing I could see was the large cog has suffered some trauma. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000005.jpg[/img] http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000009-1.jpg[/img] Not sure whether this is due to wear or when the prop let go. On spinning the road wheels the cog turns freely enough so I am not too worried about the scoring and chipping. :dunno: http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000007-1.jpg[/img] I have found the input bearing has a lot of movement. Now I am undecided on this as I have had two different opinions - both respected - on how much movement is exceptable. One opinion is - as it is a conical bearing any movement should be taken up when the prop spins so not a problem. I'm not sure on this as I would have thought any movement in this bearing will cause a massive vibration resulting in something breaking - ie the weakest component - the propshaft. I would appreciate any input from you technical buffs as I am not sure. One solution I am looking at is to substitute the axle input bearings from the third axle to the 2nd axle. The 3rd axle seems fine but is now no longer driven as it has no prop. I am only considering this as a temp repair so I am Mobile for War and Peace. In time I want to fix the damage and return to double drive but parts are a real issue. I had an offer of a complete rear of a Ward for £1500 - but I don't have £1500 and to be honest I don't need a complete rear end. By the way, if anyone fancies a Ward la France - direct French Army release for £3000 - let me know. It has a plug missing from the engine and no canvas but apart from that it is complete. I have a spare engine if it helps. So, will keep you all updated. You can see the damaged parts from the pics so if anyone knows where I can obtain bits - please let me know. Many thanks Markheliops

Sorry. Being a Muppet. Memories not what is was. :roll: EP220 for gearboxes and transfer boxes. Was it OMD 80 for stub axles? Oh hell - can't remember. 0X7 for brake fluid? Help - I'm losing it. :-D

The military use an oil called EP220. If it's an ex-military vehicle, try to get hold of army EP220 - from memory I think the EP stands for extreme pressure - but I stand to be corrected. I smells shocking but does the job a treat. Markheliops

Hi Guys Thanks for your commiserations. I am in touch my David Couch recovery at the moment. He may have a complete bogie assembly which I think may be the way to go. If I replace all the running gear, I should in theory lose all possibility of this kind of thing happening again. I'm ok with the idea that the prop or yoke failed but I still think there's something going on in the middle axle. When in drive, I'm sure there is a feeling of resistance from under the vehicle. It just doesn't feel right when the running gear is in motion. May be easier just to replace the whole assembly - depending on price of course. let ya know what happens. Markheliops

Know what you mean Bodge Deep - Lets blame Jack - makes me feel better. Only joking. :-D Not really sure how I am going to source the parts I need. It all depends on what is damaged. The parts you can see which are damaged shouldn't be a major problem to source - tootallmike could source a camels liver if he needed it. Trouble is - I think I have a major problem somewhere in the running gear. Could be a knackered axle which is running really tight or something else. Until I get the truck mobile again I can't really tell where the problem is. I am going to be on the lookout for a replacement rear bogie complete. Hard to find but if there is an unseen problem - makes sense to just replace the lot. How is your motor Bodge and whats the degree of damage? Markheliops

Hi all. Should have known things weren't going to go to plan when the low loader didn't arrive to take me and the Ward la France up to join in the fun at Op Bolero. For those of you who didn't read my posts earlier, I bent over backwards to attend this event. Managed to get someone to do an exchange duty with me at the fire station, booked a low loader to take me there, phone calls to organisers and everyone else. By Friday morning I was ready to go. Whoopee. :-D I rolled the Ward out of it's hanger and eagerly awaited the low loader I had booked for 1100hrs. 1200hrs, no low loader. 1300hrs still no low loader - you get the message. Now anyone with half a brain would have put the truck back in the hanger and called it a day. Not me. So eager was I to get to Bolero I thought, sod it. I'll drive the Ward up there. Now the truck had performed impeccably the weekend before so I thought, no dramas - I'm happy with the truck. It's not that far. :whistle: So it was I pulled out of the farm in Paddock Wood at 1430hrs and started the drive to Bolero. It was lashing down on route but I made good time and reached the Dartford toll tunnel in just under 40 mins. Believe me when I say in a Ward la France - that's pretty good going. Through the tolls for £1.80 - obviously didn't see my third axle - but who am I to tell tales. :angel: Reached the A12 and turned off the M25. Now the only thing I had noticed on the journey so far was the Ward was running a bit hotter than normal. Anyway, got a couple of miles down the A12 and BANG - HISS - LOTS OF HISSING. :schocked: After the bang, my attention quickly turned to the red light on my dash, informing me my air brake pressure was zero. This was confirmed when I hit the brake pedal and it went straight down to the toe board. :schocked: OK - 14 tonnes at 40 mph - Big problem. Now for those of you who know Wards - going down the gearbox and using the engine to slow down is not an option. You would not be able to select another gear once you came out of fifth. Only thing I could do was handbrake. As luck would have it, I was just approaching a lay-by when the above happened. Aimed for the lay-by and yanked up the handbrake. That was exciting. Clouds of smoke - lots of shuddering - and tight bottom cheeks on my part. I managed to bring the truck to a stop. Once I had er, composed myself, I had a look to see what had happened. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000013.jpg[/img] First thing I saw was the 2nd to 3rd axle propshaft - or what was left of it. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000009.jpg[/img] Closer inspection found one of the rear brake chambers - 2nd axle - missing. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000007.jpg[/img] Also the N/S upper torsion bar had been bent by the impact. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000011.jpg[/img] The air relay valve and associated air piping had also been muller-ed. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000010.jpg[/img] Now the the evidence presented to me in the form of what was left of the truck running gear would suggest a seized axle. No - the truck was still freewheeling and I could select gears and drive - odd but true. :? Well not wanting to be beaten, I tried for nearly three hours to do something with the mess. My way of thinking was if I could remove the damaged prop and stop the air leaking out, I could still drive using centre axle only and have brakes on front and rear axles. In the end I had to give up and call recovery - which I had the foresight to organise on Thursday morning. 8-) My day ended at 2320hrs, in the dark with my pride and joy being delivered on the back of a low loader to my starting point. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000028.jpg[/img] SATURDAY - The morning after. Further investigations took place this morning. Here are some more pics of closer inspections. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000030.jpg[/img] Notice the straight edge and the torsion bar with should be straight. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000031-1.jpg[/img] Brake chamber damage. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000032.jpg[/img] And the bracket http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000033.jpg[/img] Brake relay valve and pipe work - whats left of it. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000037.jpg[/img] Prop end. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000035.jpg[/img] http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000015.jpg[/img] http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000016.jpg[/img] http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000039.jpg[/img] Must pass a word of BIG thanks to tootallmike who popped over today - to assist in the removal of knackered parts. Thanks mate. Wish I had something good to finish with but it's not looking too good at the mo. On the bright side - both I and the truck could have been worse off - could have gone on the top of QE2 bridge. Scares me even to think about it. What caused all this mayhem - not sure. My friend thinks the prop has just given way but I don't buy it. I feel it may be worse with something going on in the axle casing - further investigation may reveal more. Despite the damage, both I and the Ward will be at War and Peace - static display only - unless I can work a miracle - greater feats have been known but only just. Anyway - watch this space for updates and if you are at War and Peace - come and say hello - or bring me a spare Ward bogie. Take care Markheliops

Sorry to hear about your journey. Really arse to get so close. Kind of insult to injury. Hope I have better luck tomorrow.. Markheliops

Top news. Have spoken to Clive - permission granted for me to attend. Will see you all Friday night on your return from the day's convoy. Must be mental - still, it's what the hobby is all about. :schocked: See ya there. Markheliops

Couldn't steal the GMC limelight Jack - Got no pink cushions on the Ward. :-D

I'ss coming, I'ss coming, I'ss coming - woopee. :-D See ya all there on Friday evening. Markheliops

Top news - Happy as a pig in mud. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D I have managed to arrange an exchange duty with someone so I will be making my way up on Friday - Can take part in the convoy Saturday. Still haven't heard from Clive or Neil as yet so will phone them BUT It's looking promising. Markheliops

Excellent - hopefully see you there at some point Saturday but I'm waiting for the okay from Clive / Neil. Cheers Markheliops

I did thanks R Cubed - Hopefully I will get the ok to meet up on the Saturday. Are many people not going to the dance Sat eve - don't want to sit in my truck on my own like billy-no-mates. Cheers Markheliops

Right - last ditch attempt. I have just mailed Clive and Neil to see if I will be able to possibly link up with the convoy Saturday at some point. :dunno: If I leave at 0930hrs on the Saturday - should get to the area by - absolutely no idea - but eventually. Must need my head examined - Totally NUTS springs to mind. May surprise you all - Will be there if at all possible. Markheliops

Hi all. I want too - but can't make it. Common sense tells me to give it a miss this year. :cry: Feel a bit peeved as I can't get anyone to cover my shift at the fire station on Friday evening. Means I wouldn't be able to leave until Saturday morning after nine. Taking into account the traveling time, I wouldn't arrive until early Saturday evening - afternnon at best. From what I can gather, all the convoys would have been completed except the run to the airfield on Sunday. It's a long way (and expensive) to come for a day at the airfield. If I had been able to get my Thursday and Friday night shifts covered I would have definitely got there. Even if I could have got my Friday night shift covered I could have been there for the Saturday convoy. It sounds like a great weekend and lets face it - it's all about driving ya truck which makes it worth the costs. So pi--ed off. :cry: Sorry chaps. Have a great weekend and try not to shout about ya fun too much when you get back. Cheers Markheliops

Hi all I know it's late - but I am sorely tempted to try and get to Op Bolero with the Ward. Will attempt to get some prices for a low loader or will lose all sense of perspective and try to drive it there. Can anyone some up in a thread what's happening as I could spend all week reading all the threads. I would have to leave Kent on the Friday morning as working until 0900hrs. Where do I go? Who do I have to contact to see if I can still go? What do I need to bring - tent, cooking stuff, whatever? Any other info that would help. Cheers all Markheliops

Thanks for your reply R Cubed. Pity, never mind. Suppose I could always nip to Jacks house and let his tyre's down. :evil: Providing I knew which vehicle he was taking. :tongue: Have fun you lot. Markheliops

Hi ya - Is the space still available on your low loader - room for a Ward la France M1A1. May consider going if I can hitch a ride for the Ward. :-D Cheers Markheliops

Hi Nick. Good to see you on here. Sorry - forgot to mention you received a deserved 3rd place with your Jeep. Bl--dy knackered when I got home - must be all the rain. Stick a thread on the introductions and say hi to all the other green nutters on here. See you at W+P if you are going to be there. Have fun Markheliops

Hi all. Whilst most of you were out playing at Kemble - a couple of us HMVF members braved the rain and made it to Bromley. This is a yearly show - the largest one day show in Europe to be precise. It's sponsored by Practical Classics and there's a fair amount to see. Some very strange creations. Anyway arrived at about 0930hrs - in the rain. Throughout the day it rained - it rained some more - and then it rained. Now I come to think of it - it rained all bl--dy day - except for a twenty minute period. Couldn't help but smirk for all the nuts who spent all of yesterday polishing their pride and joys. I know it's harsh. I think my Ward looks better in the rain anyway. :-D Set my Ward la France up with all the bits hanging off. Wanted to show what the beast was capable of. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000001.jpg[/img] Fellow HMVF member Mark was there with his rather nice Ferret - loaded WITH the kitchen sink. :whistle: http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000023.jpg[/img] A nice Dingo was in the starting line up. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000016.jpg[/img] A few Landrovers of all types together with a nice looking E.O.D Landie complete with 500lb bomb on the roof rack - beats a canoe. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000015.jpg[/img] Three or four Champs made the journey. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000011.jpg[/img] Even the REME TA decided to give their Foden a day out. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000013.jpg[/img] To be honest, the weather must have put a few people off as the starting line up was a few vehicles short compaired to the list of entries in the programme. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000003.jpg[/img] It wasn't a bad day but the weather must have reduced both exhibitors and public. I would say it was only half as busy as normal. Good news is both Mark and I took silverware home - well glassware. Mark took a deserved 1st place with his Ferret (must be something to do with all the kit he's got hanging off it) :whistle: and I took 2nd place in best of class. Well done both of us. I didn't set out to win a prize but it's nice to be recognised for all the effort we all put in. Bit more special for me as it was the first time my Mum had seen the Ward in the flesh. Pop's never saw it. ( for those of you who have read previous Ward topic will know what I am referring too. Played in the arena at 1530hrs for military class. I had a play - rude not too. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000024.jpg[/img] http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000029.jpg[/img] At 1600hrs both Mark and I line up with the other class winners to receive awards. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000031.jpg[/img] Rather nice awards I think and first for the Ward - I'm happy. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000034.jpg[/img] Throughout the day both Mark and I passed the good word to green machine owners in regard to HMVF - yes, I did have my name plate attached to the truck. I took Jerry Thurston (Editor of Practical Classic mag) and who presents - Salvage Squad has something to do with it - round in my Ward and he went mad for it. Let him have a drive round the showground and he wanted it even more. He talked with his editor about doing the "Mother of all test drives" on the Ward. Watch this space. :tongue: Anyway - good to meet you Mark - well done and see you all at W+P. Markheliops

Thanks Mike - nice to have ya back - after your week of "work" !!! :whistle: What do you think on the idea of trying a thicker oil - Mark

Hi all. Thought I would seek advice on the following - My Ward la France M1A1 - On starting and warm up - oil pressure is within specification. As soon as oil heats up - oil pressure drops to nearly zero, rising to about 5-10 lb during driving. :shake: Now before everyone wants to condemn my R22 Continental engine - The vehicle has been like this since I purchased it. The engine purrs without any worrying noises or loss of power. On removing the rocker cover gasket, it would seem there is no shortage of oil reaching where it should. I have checked the oil pressure relief valve and it is not blocked. Adjusting the pressure relief valve does not alter the pressure and it should lower or raise the pressure when altered. The oil level is correct and the filters A1. Now, a friend of mine suggested that perhaps my oil is too thin. I have used classsic oil - as per the manual - 30W. Is it worth trying an oil change to another grade - IE a thicker oil. :dunno: If not a period oil gauge, is it possible that like most modern vehicles, the gauge only registers when the engine is under power. The manual states oil pressure should be 10-15lb on tick over. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Markheliops

Greetings I have two new wheels for the Auto Munga - no tyres. Let me know Markheliops

I second that from Bodge Deep. Welcome to the world of green madness. :-D Markheliops

Cheers George - beer will be waiting at W+P. :-D Mark