OK suggestions please D31 track tensioner stuck

[Jim Everett]

OK new guy here. Situation -- I have a Komatsu D31 with (apparently 2) stuck track tensioner. Try to add grease both hang grease gun and air grease gun to push tracks to adjust. Can only get 1/16 inch movement at idler. Looking at disassembly to get at piston to replace seals. I have a 1 inch air wrench but can not get it into bolts holding tension spring end plate. But figure I can get it apart by: release pressure on spring by backing off grease tensioning fitting, removing 4 treads each side, suspend track from corner of EPROS structure, remove 6 bolts holding rails around spring and take the whole mess off the dozer.
Comments or suggestions please?
Thanks
Jim E

 

[TBN Support]

Hi, Jim. Welcome to the forum!

:tractor: I'm going to move this thread over to our grey market tractors section. Hopefully, someone over there can help.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a Case dozer, so this might not apply. First, did you replace the zirk fitting and try again with the new one?

Is it taking grease at and thing is happening or are you fighting to get the grease into it and the tracks remain loose?

Have you tried adding grease with the tracks in the air? Lift the front end with the blade and jack up the back end.

I've rebuilt both of my tensionsers. It's not hard, but like you mentioned, getting to it takes a lot of effort. I wasn't able to use air tools for some of my bolts, but found hitting my big wrenches with a hammer got everything loose.

 

[Jim Everett]

Hi, Jim. Welcome to the forum!

:tractor: I'm going to move this thread over to our grey market tractors section. Hopefully, someone over there can help.

Catherine-- Thank you for the assist. As you can tell I had NO!! idea how to enter the forum correctly. Hope my efforts improve with exposure! And hope for some insight to this rather aggravating situation. I will post the steps I take and the outcome.
Have a safe day!
Jim E

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Can you post a picture? I have a 550 JD and the spring stays in the undercarriage when the tensioner and idler come out. I did have to split the track to get the whole assembly out. You might want to plan on rebuilding the idler bearings, replacing the tensioner rod, and anything else that is in roufh shape when you take it out. If you do split the track, it might be a good time to inspect everything else.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Don't know if it'll apply to a komatsu as most my experience is one Deere and case but if eddies ideas don't work and he's spot on I'd try this.

Pull the grease zerk off. Take a 6x6 or log and have a helper hold it between the blade and the track. Angle the blade to put the pressure on the track. This should force all the grease out and collapse the tensioner. I can't remember now if we had to drop the track or not. As Eddie mentioned. It isn't a bad job. Just everything is heavy on a dozer. How loose are the tracks. Sometimes it's just better to run it. I'd take loose tracks over to tight.

Brett