Tiger 1 tracks slipping and comming off sprockets

[andyquirot]

Hi all
Happy Christmas and new year.
Now the prob when i adjust the tracks on my tiger they slip on the sprockets and when turing they come off the sprockets. I can adjust them to not do it but the last time it snaped a track. I have attached the pdf build drawing but parts 8 and 10 look like they have a small washer or spacer attached if this so or a bad drawing?. Also is there an easy way to check the aliment of the tracks and sprocket.
Regards Andy Quirot

[Adrian Harris]

There wasn't a washer in the original build but a Tiger I have had some fitted.

You should be able to use a straight edge down the wheels to check the alignment with the sprockets. You should also run a file around the teeth of the sprocket, to ensure the tracks sit right down into the grooves.

If it's an old Tiger, have you checked whether the tracks have the casting error ? From memory, this might prevent the tracks sitting correctly.

Adrian.

[Peter Silcock]

Andy the washers are integral to the parts not separate. As Adrian says check the alignment of the wheels and sprocket. Some of the very first tracks were a touch prone to breaking. Could also be a track tension problem. Try adding or taking off a link and adjusting the track tension accordingly.

[Phil Woollard]

A simple and quick alignment check is; the idler should run directly in the middle of the track horns with no binding and the double wheels (Inner set) in the same.
To check sprocket alignment; jack the hull so the tracks can be turned by hand , disconnect the motor drive and all should turn smoothly, to check if the sprocket is out of alignment; undo the taper lock and remove any key so it can turn on the driven gear and remove the bolt on the end of that driven gear.
The sprocket will find its own alignment when the tracks are turned by hand, I emphasise by hand as this will not damage anything.
Try that and report back ..
I think Adrian has it with the early track file fix.......regards festive Phil

[Peter Silcock]

Andy just harking back to the washers mentioned in your original post, I have just been cleaning up and derusting the axles on an old Tiger and found that there were brass washers on the axles (Item eight) on this model. They appeared to be integral but clean up revealed they are separate. 15m OD 10mm ID and 2mm thick, although strangely one was 4.5mm thick. Not got as far as the wheel spacers (item 10 on your sheet) so I can't say whether the same applies.

[andyquirot]

I will srtip off the wheels and add some washers of 2mm an try it over christmas. thanks

[andyquirot]

As for Phil's idea to check the tracks I will have to wait a bit because I have torn a ligament in my shoulder and I can not lift it. Regards Andy Quirot

[Phil Woollard]

If it's a washer and spacers issue, I have know the wheels on the axles bind if there is no clearance when tightened with the m3 cap, this can cause the axle to unwind in the swing arm and lock solid as that axle and wheel set push against the neighboring wheel set ....just a thought, hope your shoulder mends quickly regards Phil

[Armortek]

Hi all

Just to clarify and avoid confusion. This discussion refers to axle assemblies and issues from the 2003 production of Tiger 1 kits. None of the the wheel binding or spacer issue are relevant to any kit produced after that date.

Mark

[simon_manning]

i have the early production tiger 1, the wheels and suspension take a bit more effort but once its done they run like a clock, very smooth, one of the first built tiger 1s is still running out there most weekends, it's bedded in and performs superbly, the problem is a lot of the older forum members who own these models don't post so it remains a mystery as what to do, but they are a great kit and very smooooooth, regards simon manning.

[Phil Woollard]

Hi Simon I agree with what you say but that does not help the guy, it's an early kit and something has not been aligned or the early tracks need the file fix so all we are doing is trying to find the problem.
So lets give him plenty of advice and bingo another old Tiger 1 will be running...
regards festive Phil

[Peter Silcock]

Andy - I would try Adrian's and Phil's advice re using a long straight edge and aligning the sprocket before using washers spacers etc. As Simon advised you the very early models run smoothly once set up correctly. Persevere but don't try lifting with a dodgy shoulder!

[andyquirot]

Hi all thanks for every bodys help and idears i will try all of the above.
I am doing a bit of work on my modelworks 1/8 tiger at the moment. and my shoulder wont allow me to lift the hospital asys about 12 weeks.(I dont think they know how heave a model tank is!!).
Happy christmas and new year to you all. And yes i would be nice to get a 2001 tiger running good.
Regards Andy Quirot

[andyquirot]

Hi all
Silly question i have been looking at drawings and i an thinking the tracks could be the wrong way round (on the wrong side) is there a correct way to tell.
Regards Andy Quirot

[Adrian Harris]

Take a look at some of the photos of Tiger 131 - that should show you which way round they should be on the sprockets.

http://www.panzerbasics.com/index_files ... bov-01.jpg

Adrian.