Tinman22 Posted March 9, 2022 Author Share Posted March 9, 2022 I'm sure some movement is normal but it seems a bit extreme. My 9 year old daughter can lift up on the heim joint and completely compress the spring. when i drove it home i hit the bridge joint going over the mighty mighty tiffin and thought the bolts had fallen out. There is about 1 1/2" of adjustment left but the springs don't really get firmer as they compress. The hood isn't cracked like most of the others i've seen. maybe tighten them up to loose some bounce but leave some flex. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491458 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 ok well the rig (IS) pretty old so....i guess none of us would be too surprized at normal wear....bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491460 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 10, 2022 Author Share Posted March 10, 2022 (edited) I think thats the right answer. I thought they were just made that way but maybe they are just worn out. I found severel pics of them online and they all look more consistently wound (left)then mine (right)wich look almost collapsed. I wonder if they are available and how much they are? Edited March 30, 2022 by Tinman22 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491478 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 i think yours are just worn out. Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491517 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 I don’t know if you guys have big R or a good size hardware store you might be able to find something close I do like the valve spring idea though . Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491542 Share on other sites More sharing options...
67RModel Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 I know they are generally pretty expensive but McMaster Carr would have what you need. They have literally any variety of hardware you could possibly ever need in a dozen lifetimes. Plus they make finding what you need very easy with their online catalog. For one off things like these two springs I always check there first. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491544 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 Personally I don’t mind paying a little more if they’re ready and available kind of trouble free …. Bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491547 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tinman22 Posted March 10, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 10, 2022 mack still has them . $22.00 each. new springs and washers and my oil cooler came in. mack reman with gaskets and o-rings for the same price as most cores. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491549 Share on other sites More sharing options...
67RModel Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 A lot of guys get major heartburn when you tell them to just go to the dealer and get the parts they need. Honestly, by the time you do all the leg work to make it happen in the aftermarket or trying to find something used out of a salvage yard its most times cheaper to just get it from the dealer. Plus you have the best quality parts you can get and have less of a chance of them stranding you on the side of the road. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491551 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post doubleclutchinweasel Posted March 10, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 10, 2022 10 minutes ago, 67RModel said: A lot of guys get major heartburn when you tell them to just go to the dealer and get the parts they need. Honestly, by the time you do all the leg work to make it happen in the aftermarket or trying to find something used out of a salvage yard its most times cheaper to just get it from the dealer. Plus you have the best quality parts you can get and have less of a chance of them stranding you on the side of the road. I'm with you. My FIRST thought is to try the dealer. The older I get, the more valuable I consider my time. So, if I can get the right part the first time, I 'll do it. If they don't have it, then I'll start weaseling around trying to find alternatives. I can't tell you how many times I've used aftermarket parts, only to have them be bad out of the box and have to do it again. 3 Quote "Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491555 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 while your messing around i would pull that alternater apart and blow it out and grease the bearings also check waterpump bearing wear....bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491558 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 10, 2022 Author Share Posted March 10, 2022 already ordered a new alternator. water pump was new last year i think. I live between 3 mack dealers 2 said the cooler was discontinued. Vomac in ft.wayne got it for $510.00 plus tax. in 1 day. without fail they have matched or beaten everyone's price and have never failed to get a part. The hood springs i thought we're a no go for sure. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491561 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 19 hours ago, Tinman22 said: I think thats the right answer. I thought they were just made that way but maybe they are just worn out. I found severel pics of them online and they all look more consistently wound (left)then mine (right)wich look almost collapsed. I wonder if they are available and how much they are? i go with the idea someone changed the springs at some point. left picture has possibly the factory jam nut which is thinner. your truck has a regular nylon nut. considering the thickness of the nut , yours has more thread above the nut. springs sure looks different. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491575 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 10, 2022 Author Share Posted March 10, 2022 I think the non nyloc set has either been changed or possibly different year or model maybe. I'm sure mine are original. Ive got all of the service records since 11/85. vomac said the old number was superceded to what he had just ordered. i'll see on monday when they get here. I can say working on this truck has been downright enjoyable compared to the others even the freighliner. everything is easy to get to. unnecessary engineering is almost nowhere. Even parts have been easy to get (except interior). I even found 8 24.5 stud piloted aluminum wheels today for $600..woohoo. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491577 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 great deal on the wheels,,,right on man....from what i hear all the plastic pieces interior are no longer available thru mack i thought i heard a while back there was aftermarket,but not sure...good luck and congradulations on all your progress...bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491800 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 May be try a good quality rubber bushing at the spring end. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491807 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 12, 2022 Author Share Posted March 12, 2022 stud 24.5's in good shape are getting harder and harder to find so im happy with them. im betting the new springs will be the end of it weather it stops bouncing or not. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-491880 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 15, 2022 Author Share Posted March 15, 2022 well..... 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-492252 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 right on man,,,that should do it...bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-492258 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 16, 2022 Author Share Posted March 16, 2022 now if i can just drill out these 16 broken bolts in the radiator frame........ Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-492351 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 Cant believe I have missed this until now Lucky lad to have such a truck, found the MIG welder to be really handy for getting broken bolts out, even just a drill and a jigsaw with a steel bit works wonders on bigger bolts Have never seen bonnet (hood) supports like yours so am learning more everyday These blokes are gunna be salivating waiting on photos of your whole truck I would of thought 350 hp would of been plenty for highway work, as in cruising down a highway at the speed limit but I dont live in the U.S. so dont really know Paul 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-492401 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 Paul, back in the good old days a 350 mack was indeed a "big dog" we has 237, and 285 hp in the DM. if you had an R model, you had the 300. only the road runners had 350's or V8's 2 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-492410 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 Ya I really liked mine…east coast rusting issues are a bitch glad we don’t have them here…. I worked in a service station in the 70 s fixing cars back in Massachusetts and I hated doing exhaust systems manafold bolts would almost always break off uuuurrrrgggg. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-492419 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 agree with paul about the welder. have taken a number of broken out with the welder. larger nut over the stud ; welded nut gives more leverage to work broken stud. challenge not to weld base having the broken parts. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-492428 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tinman22 Posted March 17, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 17, 2022 (edited) Believe it or not I got all 17 stubs out. 16 in the supports and one in the upper tank. No stripped holes and no helicoils. I picked up gasket material today so tomorrow is radiator day. Today was the start on wheel seals,s-cams and bushings. The originals were plastic and knowing my father-in-law never greased. new ones are metal. I dropped off the wheels at Rimm kleen here in town to get the wheels done today and picked up 40 new inner wheel nuts 20L/20R for aluminum wheels. New shoes for the drives will be here in the morning. Also picked up paint today 2qts. 1985 mack dark green,1 qt. black and a gallon of primer. Still no door panels,headliner or rear panel. But getting closer. Edited March 17, 2022 by Tinman22 5 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/page/2/#findComment-492429 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.