The nine o'clock spring fix

[wibblywobbly]

If you push down on the front or rear of the Jagdpanther it doesn't spring back up. There are two options to fix this, one is to buy stronger springs and costs money. The other is free and described below:

1. Using a small flat bladed screwdriver, prise off the centre caps of the first three road wheels.
2. Remove the cross head screws that lie beneath.
3. Remove the road wheels (they just pull off).
4. Using an allen key undo the swing arm of the front arm.
5. Remove the arm.
6. Remove the coiled spring.
7. You will see a hole at the 12 o'clock position where the spring slots in.
8. At the 9 o'clock position drill a hole of the same size (the depth will go all the way through the hull, go slowly).
9. Remove the swarf.
10. Insert the spring in the new position.
11. Re-install the swing arm. It's fiddly. Best way is to re-insert the allen bolt half way, then get the spring arm back into the slot on the underside of the arm. Then rotate the arm so that the lug goes back into the hull, then tighten all the way down. Do not overtighten or the arm will not move.
12. Re-install the road wheels.
13. Re-install the securing screws.
14. Re-install the centre caps.
Job done.

Do this for the front and back road wheels on each side. It took me about 90 minutes, taking my time.

The front and rear of the Jagdpanther now returns to horizontal when depressed, this keeps the tracks tensioned over bumps and makes the ride height correct.

It wasn't me that came up with the idea, but I was reminded of the fix by Tankman during a recent get together. Once the problem was pointed out I just had to fix it, and it was very simple to do!

Rob G

[BREL]

good tip Rob

[lister fiend]

Top tip, i shall do mine right away.
thanks
oh & good work fella!

[lister fiend]

ive just taken my wheels off to find the extra holes were already there.
but at 10 0'clock not 9.
weirdly the springs were in the 12 0'clock holes though.
also just a quick question, my wheels seem really wobbly.
is this normal? (yes they were like this before i took them off)
and should it have washers behind the idler wheels but not the road wheels?
this is my first tank so proberbly worrying over nothing.
thanks in advance
lister

[Jay-Em]

nm.

[wibblywobbly]

Pretty much all HL wheels are loose when the tracks are off, at least this way they don't rub when the tank is running. It tends to be the guide horns on the tracks that stops them moving sideways when the tank is assembled and on the move.