Ds 5000

[aca carwash 2]

I have two older DS 5000 units. Both have served well over the years. One of them is slipping at the arches. I don't believe it's the chain or sprocket. My repair guy thinks its the chain in the gantry as you can see it catch as we move it on manual override. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this?

 

[MEP001]

The chain in the gantry isn't going to slip unless it's very obviously worn, to the point that there are no teeth on it at all, or if it's so loose that you can move the chain back and forth a good two inches on the lax side.

The sprockets only need to be worn a little if the springs are also weak. An easy test to see if it's slipping on the chains is to stop the machine partway up the vertical and lift on the end of one of the spinner arms. If it's too loose, it will slip down on that side.

 

[aca carwash 2]

Thank you Mep, when you say spinner arms, what are you referring to? The arms that support the wheels? I know the rods are slightly bent that hold the wheels. The wheels are also quite worn, should we replace the springs also? This machine is 12 years old.

 

[MEP001]

I was referring to the drop arms that the four spinners are on.

Sounds like it's long overdue for the drive wheels and springs anyway. All that being worn/loose/bent will make it slip.

 

[JGinther]

If it is slipping on the vertical section, you could buy some time to get parts by slipping some wood molding (1/4" thick) behind the chain on the rails and end it just as the pipe starts to bend. I did this for a guy a while back and I bet it is still there....

 

[aca carwash 2]

It's slipping in the descent on the arch, no problem going up. Where do you slip the wood, what will this accomplish?

 

[MEP001]

If the sprockets are worn, it would move the chain out so they can grab it better.

 

[aca carwash 2]

Ok, I'll try it. Thanks

 

[aca carwash 2]

I tightened the chain in the gantry and it fixed the problem.