These pictures are of something I have heard about, but never actually
witnessed or saw, untill I reciently changed our TD's rear suspension with
the help of Steve McNary ......
I was always told about the wear or "chafing" that
occurs to the axel housing where the spring "U-Bolts" go over it...
but I never expected to see what I found !!! I don't know how thick the
axel housing is, but as you can see, I think we were awful close to the
point where the "oil side will meet the air side" !!! I haven't heard
of any axle failure resulting from this, but it sure seems possible !! I
have installed stainless steel U-Bolt plates ( from Abingdon, as
Moss offers only plain rustable steel ) to help in the future, but I'm sure
the wear on these plates must also be watched,,, I'm actually thinking
about filling the worn areas with weld, and then grinding it smooth,,, It
seems that this is a common but not widely know problem on TD's/TF's. I
guess I can only suggest checking this area often, and making sure that the
U-Bolts are snug and the rubber "spring pads" are in good shape. For more
info, contact me Steve - MGTD52@attbi.com
