Tips on swapping a LW4000 arch swivel

[MDrost1]

Folks,

I had a new swivel installed 3 weeks ago and it had come unthreaded. The bridge itself is only 2 years old.

I don't have the alignment tool. Any tips to help me get back up and running? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[washnvac]

What alignment tool? Just put a wrench on it and tighten. I have one guy hold the boom pipe, then one guy tighten the hell out of it.

 

[MDrost1]

The magic PDQ bearing/swivel alignment tool. Apparently my bearing was off by 1/16" and caused the whole thing to come unthreaded. Ever hear of this. Up until I had the new swivel installed 3 weeks ago, never had this issue.

 

[washnvac]

That is Chinese to me. I put swivels on about every 18 months; and have no issue putting them on as stated above.

 

[BBE]

That is Chinese to me. I put swivels on about every 18 months; and have no issue putting them on as stated above.

Same here. They can be pretty stiff at first, and if you don't get them on tight enough the first go around, the stiffness will sometimes cause them to unthread themselves. Not a problem once the swivel loosens up a bit, but you gotta get it good and tight the first time around. I suspect this is what happened, not the bearing being 1/16th of an inch off or whatever.

 

[MDrost1]

I hear ya. This is the tool used to align the bearing to the swivel. All seems good for now...
https://www.prowash.com.au/p-2969-swivel-alignment-tool.aspx

 

[gearhead]

Change mine annually. I have never had one come loose in 8 years. Once the swivel is in place I loosen the pivot brg bolts and move the boom until I see that is not side loading the swivel in any way then tighten it up. Has worked well for me.

 

[Scrub Free]

I have the tool but tried it once and never used it again. I just try to position it back where the washer marks are from the top bearing. It's a 2 person job someone has to hold the boom. Never had one come loose. I also use pipe thread tape, maybe that acts as a thread lock?

 

[pgrzes]

Don't waste your $$$ On that tool!!! Its not because it was off by 1/16"th, It needs to be tightened by an OX!!!!