Stay Cable Bracket - M38A1

STXM38A1 · Post by **STXM38A1** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 7:02 pm

The welds on both sides of the stay cable bracket are cracked. (located on center cross member) The rivet is still intact, but the bracket wiggles back and forth.

Should the bracket stand more upright, more in line with the spring retainer? (i. e. roughly perpendicular to the top surface of the cross member) Curious if I should try to adjust before re-welding.

Thanks,

Post by **wesk** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:25 pm

I know these are not the best angle but as I recall it was straight up and down.

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:06 am

I dont know without looking at mine.
From looking at your pictures though, if your crossmember isn't bent open, then I'd say it was always at that angle. The welds arent opened up on either end indicating it hasn't moved, just cracked. I'd just clean up the welds and re-weld. The cable gets adjusted anyway.

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:18 am

Found a pic of mine, not a good view though.

STXM38A1 · Post by **STXM38A1** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:34 am

From Bretto's cross member picture, it looks like the stay cable bracket should be oriented more straight verticle than the forward lean mine has. Can sort of see that on Wes' 3rd picture, too.

Maybe the force that caused the welds to break pulled the bracket forward. (A sudden stop like hitting something with the front of the jeep?)[back in time when a cable was actually in place on the vehicle]

As acquired, my A1 did not have the stay cable installed. Exactly what is the primary mission of the stay cable?

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:50 am

Straight. Hope you can tell from these:

I have two crossmembers, and the bracket is straight on both.

As for the purpose, this might be relevant:

http://www.1943mb.com/c-30-G503_WWII_Je ... Cable.aspx

Wbr,
Owen.

STXM38A1 · Post by **STXM38A1** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:26 am

Thanks for the input, Owen. From his link.........

"5. Tighten the bolt so it is snug but not tight. The purpose of this cable is to stop the engine from going forward driving the fan into the radiator or some other damage. Without this cable, a drop in a forward position can drive the engine forward and cause significant damage.

So maybe this helps to explain the fan marks on the back of my radiator!

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:31 am

Ouch! That must've chafed.