LU-4 saga continued ... with a question

[N1VSM]

First, my question: I know that it is important to adjust the lower rod so that the ends are parallel (to prevent leaks), but how can I tell when they are parallel? There doesn't seem to be any convenient point on which to measure!

Ok - so the next installment of the story. When last we saw our hero, my LU-4 had 2-part epoxy holding in the (horizontal) bolts from the bracket to the winch housing. Well, it held for the parade, and for a few trips afterward (I sorta forgot to take the winch off - duh!) I finally took the winch off & ran the bolts through the die. Very scary how easily that epoxy came off - and amazing to me that it held at all! I used a heli-coil kit to repair the 8 bolt holes. Nice product! I still have yet to test the integrity of it all, but I'll keep you posted...

[MSeriesRebuild]

First, my question: I know that it is important to adjust the lower rod so that the ends are parallel (to prevent leaks), but how can I tell when they are parallel? There doesn't seem to be any convenient point on which to measure!

Ok - so the next installment of the story. When last we saw our hero, my LU-4 had 2-part epoxy holding in the (horizontal) bolts from the bracket to the winch housing. Well, it held for the parade, and for a few trips afterward (I sorta forgot to take the winch off - duh!) I finally took the winch off & ran the bolts through the die. Very scary how easily that epoxy came off - and amazing to me that it held at all! I used a heli-coil kit to repair the 8 bolt holes. Nice product! I still have yet to test the integrity of it all, but I'll keep you posted...

It isn't done from measurements, but by feel & sight. Install the bottom rod with the jamb nut & inner cluch housing nut, lock the jamb nut on the gear housing end. Then install the clutch housing onto the drum shaft & bottom rod, attach & secure the top plate. The inner & outer nuts on the clutch housing end do the parallel adjustments of the 2 housings. Simply balance the 2 housings by feel & in accordance with the top plate. Don't apply pressure to the housing in either direction with the nuts, they are there to lock the housings in parallel balance.

[N1VSM]

Thank you, Charles. That is far easier than I thought.

[Lifer]

Amazing, isn't it? Here we are, in one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world where precision measurement has been refined to its utmost, and there are still things which are best done by "eyeballing" them.