D8 repairs

[Rolyd8k]

This week had two D8s in for repairs,one with broken recoil-spring, other with broken
valve head dropped on piston,with the clamping nut half eaten and rusted away was
not able to compress and lock the recoil-spring in its housing,and with 50 ton pressure
on it the safest way to remove it was to cut a hole in top of the track frame and cut
the coils so releasing the pressure,once cut we could then unbolt the end cap and remove the
double spring,early D8Hs had oil filled spring compartments and did,nt rust,but the later
ones and the D8Ks were filled will granuals to soak up the moister,what a clever idea
RB

[John Gaunt]

Hi Roly, Does the spring go with a bang when you cut it like that, or does the steel soften first under the heat ?
Great pictures......

[Rolyd8k]

Hi John,yes each cut coil goes with a bang , sparks and lumps of hot rust
jump out at you outa the hole,you could screw some long studding in the
holes and back it off with nuts but would have to remove a bottom roller,
this way is safer,after a lot of wriggling and baring it finaly gave up and
popped out.
RB

[Rolyd8k]

the rest was easy with the help of the teleporter to
push a well greased spring back up the hole,tap out the holes and
with copper slip on new bolts it should,nt be anymore trouble
RB

[John Gaunt]

More great pictures Roly, Thanks.
I had forgotten that in fact there are two recoil springs one inside the other (my 7JD4 is like that).
If I remember correctly they are 'opposite handed' as well.