Problem with clicking on tread of HL Tiger 1

[AlwynTurner]

Hi I've now got my Tiger 1 working after installing new gears and have a small problem with the left track. The right track is fine but with the left track as it goes onto the rear idler wheel when moving the tank forward, the track is clicking before seating itself on the idler wheel. It seems as if it's catching on the wheel. Otherwise the tank is now working brilliantly. Any suggestions please?

[ALPHA]

Hi I've now got my Tiger 1 working after installing new gears and have a small problem with the left track. The right track is fine but with the left track as it goes onto the rear idler wheel when moving the tank forward, the track is clicking before seating itself on the idler wheel. It seems as if it's catching on the wheel. Otherwise the tank is now working brilliantly. Any suggestions please?

Clicking???? try swapping the tracks Alwyn...if it still clicks...check the track link by link...sound like perhaps a pin is out of place...if it doesn't click...check the tooth alignment on the sprocket ...also make sure your sprockets are seated on the axle of the gearbox

ALPHA

[jackalope]

And all you did was install new gears correct? You didn't mess with the idlers? Hmmm. Ok try this, try swapping the tracks from side to side. If that doesn't work take the tracks back off and look at the teeth on the inside of the tracks and see if they have little bumps on them. Mine did and I had to take a dremmel tool and grind them off once I did that it helped.

[AlwynTurner]

Thanks guys, I'll give those a try. Enjoy the festive season!
Best regards Alwyn

[ALPHA]

Good Luck Alwyn...Keep us in the loop...it's tough troubleshooting like this...but we do our best

ALPHA

[Revs1]

Hi I have the same problem with the metal tracks on my HL King Tiger (right side) and this is the first reference I have come across on this particular subject. I had started to wonder if there was a set direction of travel for tracks and whether it might be the wrong way round. Clutching at straws I think. I will try the solutions suggested to see if it helps, thanks for those, as I am still fairly new to all this. The Track on mine only clicks going forward in reverse it runs perfectly smooth. I haven't had any problems with it shedding the track.

[jarndice]

REVs and ALWYN if you run the tip of your finger around the edge of the track both the side facing into the tank hull and the side facing outwards if you feel anything sticking out then that will be a track pin, just tap it home but if it keeps happening a touch of threadlock should secure it shaun

[AlwynTurner]

OK I've done some investigating, tried swopping the tracks, no difference, checked the tracks for incorrectly seated pins, and no problem there.

Finally I took the treads off and took the top off, and examined the idler wheels. The one on the right (non-clicking) is quite a good fit and doesn't move around. The one on the left is sloppy and moves around quite a bit. Sooo.. I decided it needed tightening and tried to discover how it attaches to the body and am quite perplexed. If I put a small phillips driver into the hole in the idler wheel then it seems to engage with a phillips head, but I've turned it this way and that and it doesn't seem to tighten up or loosen off - what do I not know that is foxing me please? I don't want to start forcing things or trying to prize tings off in case I wreck the chassis.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
It sounds like you would benefit from having a HennTec idler adjuster for your Tiger 1. HL uses metal screws in plastic to secure the idlers and a heavy hand on the screw driver will often times strip the plastic surrounding the screw. There are a few different varieties of idler adjuster out there. I use the HennTec type in my King Tiger and can recommend it. They all seem to work well tho' in fixing a common issue with stock Tiger 1s.
regards,
Painless

[AlwynTurner]

Well I've found a youtube video on how to split the idler wheel, but someone's been there before me and superglued the thing back together so that's a non-starter. However, I found this :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKzLpVoKzys
and tried it, and it worked. Obviously this is a temporary fix until I get round to doing some serious upgrading, at which point I will do a proper fix with the appropriate parts. It is becoming obvious that this tank has been very well used (and abused) so some serious tlc looks to be required in future. At least I can try the tank and see what else turns up on the fix list. Hopefully I can have a trial run on Sunday at the Hyde meet.

Thanks everyone for their input and a happy ending!
Regards
Alwyn