Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

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steve1973
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Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by steve1973 » Thu Jan 19, 2017 3:53 pm

A while back, a year or so, I posted some photos of my Dad's replica pack 75mm Howitzer next to the real one we refurbished for the Springfield Veterans Memorial in Oregon.

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The replica looks real good but one thing still needs to be addressed and that is the wheels and hubs. This last April I was lucky enough to acquire a set.

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I'm now in the process of painting the wheels, they already been sand blasted, and rebuilding the hubs. For this I need new seals, races and bearings. Here are the numbers for anyone restoring hubs in the future.

SEALS:
TCM 318454SA-H
3.188 X 4.501 X .438

OUTER HUB

RACE:
Timkin 39412

BEARING:
Timkin 39250

INNER HUB

RACE:
Timkin 394-A

BEARING:
Timkin 395-S

More to come. Also, there are NOS complete hub assemblies on eBay right now for just under $250 each.

Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)


steve1973
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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by steve1973 » Mon Jan 23, 2017 3:54 pm

Made some progress today. I got the wheels painted and started to disassemble the hubs. I got all new seals, bearings and races on order and cost just under $300.00. I am in need of two thing if anyone can help. I'm missing one C clip to hold the seals in and need some photos of the pin that hold the hubs on the axles. If anyone can help me it is greatly appreciated.

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Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)

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mbatvburg
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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by mbatvburg » Mon Jan 23, 2017 4:55 pm

I used the pin from one of these on the original I cleaned up
http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/71530836
Brendan

I've had a jeep or two

steve1973
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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by steve1973 » Sun Jan 29, 2017 2:46 pm

mbatvburg wrote:I used the pin from one of these on the original I cleaned up
http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/71530836
I was thinking of this. I did check out my local fastener place and they don't carry anything like that in the size needed. Will continue looking.

Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)

steve1973
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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by steve1973 » Sun Jan 29, 2017 2:49 pm

I am in need of one C-clip. Does anyone have a spare they can part with?

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I went to the local bearing house. They can get me a modern equivilant but it is a special purchase and I would have to buy at least 30 of them. :roll:

Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)

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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by steve1973 » Sun Jan 29, 2017 2:52 pm

I got the hubs all torn down and cleaned.

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Some new parts.

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Sand blasted and ready for paint

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Primed

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Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)

steve1973
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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by steve1973 » Mon Jan 30, 2017 4:23 pm

All parts now painted. Now waiting for the rest of the bearings to come in and the new axle shafts made to adapt the original hubs.

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Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)

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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by steve1973 » Sat Feb 18, 2017 6:27 am

I made some more progress on the hubs. I found a source for the C-clips or the proper description is internal retaining rings. The company is Prospect Fastener and the part number is ND450. I found a lot of 5 pieces on eBay so I got those. they look identical and fit perfect.

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The next item on the list of things to do is making new axle stubs.

Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)

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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by steve1973 » Sat Feb 18, 2017 6:40 am

The next step is to make new axle stubs. My mechanic Matt will be doing this. He also does some custom machining. I gave him the inner hub piece to get the axle dimensions needed but I'm very lucky to have a forum member that lives just north of me that has a restored pack 75mm howitzer. He was kind enough to remove one wheel so that Matt could get actual axle measurements. This was a big help, Thanks Robin!! :mrgreen: With measurements in hand Matt has what he needs to make the new axle stubs.

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The next photo is of the transverse wheel and bellows. I want to try and replicate this. The wheel is 8" in diameter, 1/2" thick and has 5 spokes.

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That night I found this on eBay. It has all the correct dimensions so I got it to go in the cannon.

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That's all for now.

Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)

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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by steve1973 » Thu Apr 06, 2017 12:18 am

It's been a while since my last update. The project is almost done now. I took some measurements of the leather dust boot for the traversing on the axle and had one made. I did run into a slight problem though. I used the original outside diameter of the leather rings with the outside diameter on the axle which is a trailer axle, 3 inches. This didn't leave much room for expansion so I had to enlarge the bellows of the boot some to make it function right. The cost was very reasonable. Sitting on top is the hand wheel I found.

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I checked in with my mechanic, Matt, the other day and both new axle stubs are done and one installed. I also put one of the hubs back together with all new bearings, races and seals. It took about two tubes of grease for each hub when done. I just love working with grease, not.

New axle stub
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Stub installed.
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Getting other side ready for new stub.
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Rebuilt hub and new axle stub.
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My next visit I will be touching up the paint, install the dust boot and mount the hubs and wheels. My Dad's birthday in in two weeks and turns the big 70. I hope to surprise him with cannon with the new hubs and wheels. It was last year that I got him the hubs and wheels for his birthday. More to come.

Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)

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Tankdriver
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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by Tankdriver » Thu Apr 06, 2017 5:16 am

Looking REALLY good. You have a lot of time and money invested in this. But it will be really hard to tell it from a original one.

Good work.
1943 WC63...1942 M3 Autocar...1944 M3A1 Diamond T...1942 57mm Anti-Tank

Have owned...M5A1 Stuart

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steve1973
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Re: Replica Pack 75mm Howitzer Wheel & Hub Upgrade

Post by steve1973 » Wed Apr 19, 2017 3:30 am

Well, today is April 19 and my Dad's Birthday. The axle project is done. My mechanic Matt did a fantastic job an machining new axles for this project. Here are the finished photos. Due to the tight space in his shop I was unable to get any good side shots. I will post some when I can.

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Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
1945 M10 ammo trailer (restored)


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