You want what?

[tanglediver]

The three maxims about any job are what? You can have it good, cheap or fast in any combination of 2 but not all 3!

I was asked to replace a busted leaf spring hanger and "go over some cracks".

So first I replaced the hanger, but...
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/P1020001.jpg
...the spring was in no way going to line up, hmmm. Pow wow with the boss. OK, the correct fix is to correctly locate the spring pads on the axle, that is not going to happen in the time bid for this job. So we are going with the whole theme of this trailer build (modern art) and mount the spring where it lands...
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/P1020002.jpg
Hmmm, not pretty. The whole reason the original hanger broke was from binding, imho. Now it lands almost 2" inboard. Wow! Hit power switch!
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/P1020003.jpg
That is the view from the port side. Now from the front with the gussets.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/P1020004.jpg
May be a hair crooked, mmm, it'll hold!
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/P1020005.jpg
Now for the cracks! Oh joy. Next post.

[tanglediver]

These are shots I pasted in another thread, the mig'd patch.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/PC280002.jpg
Roughly fit up. Then welded.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/PC280003.jpg
Too much time went into cleaning that one so the next day I ran 6011 rods with the AC stick welder.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/PC280004.jpg
And a close up of another joint.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/PC310005.jpg
I ran a peice of scrap for practice as well as making another hose hook for the wall somewhere. I could use a whole lot more practice, and a DC stick welder!
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/PC310004.jpg
So, there it is, this guy got it cheap and quick. He asked for it! I gave it!

[Sandy]

Who would have thunk you'd need a six foot bar to get a spring in a hanger? :)

[dave powelson]

Busted spring hanger---you did what you could do, with this sow's ear--however--

That's the kind of repair, that's:

--- either declined

---or have customer sign off, in advance for 'Best Effort Repair' order [which details out the repair, the problems, the customer's declining to do job correctly, the customer (and any claimants, assigns, heirs, etc.) hereby imdemnify and defend the seller (you) against any and all claims--due to you simply doing work ordered by the customer.]

---You're in So. Cal.---I'm in No. Cal.---but we're both in the most litigous state in the union.

More likely than not, that trailer will not track properly (maybe never did!), the poor springs on both sides are fatigued by the prior screwup, hangers & bolts on the opposite side are worn thru, etc.

Most trailer stuff, I either fix it----'My Way' or 'No Way'.
Parts & labor's cheap......lawsuits ain't.

I can furnish the best effort form, upon request. It's something I use with discretion, on jobs that there is no guarantee, etc.

[daddy]

I get a real crappy feeling from having to do work like that. Maybe some day I'll get over it... Nah! :cry:

[dave powelson]

I get a real crappy feeling from having to do work like that. Maybe some day I'll get over it... Nah! :cry:

About that--'Crappy Feeling'

.....can U say 'Criminal Negligence--Johnny?'

1-It's apropos to mention another item, I haven't seen any posts about in this forum--Criminal Negligence.

2-This can be either a state or federal charge item. In general the charge of negligence has to show that the parties involved, knowingly did or did not do certain acts. The charged group can include the customer, the repair facility and the employees involved. The feds--especially in aircraft, nuclear, or DoD arenas tend to get their panties in a knot-quickly and brutally; when they decide this is the case. I've seen this happen--to a former, billion-dollar employer and to individuals.

In extreme cases---the employee can per held personally liable--both civilly and criminally. This can and does happen--not often, just every once and a while.

3-The above, is the worst thing that can happen--from a 'quick, dirty, CHEAP & FAST' lash-uP repair.

4-I mention the above, to point out, that 'just because' we've been asked, told or ordered to do something that's not 'exactly the best way'.....and we perform the task--it can still come back, very unpleasantly---as a Crappy Feeling.

I've done and do high liability repairs, design/fab----knowing the above--and not just laughing it off--as a 'So What?--I got paid'.

5-Moral and Ethical Responsibility---what if injury or death results from our handiwork? Is that something one doesn't mind having on their tally sheet?
Putting the aspect of civil and criminal charges aside--this should be #1.

[decades ago, in our community--a worn out fan belt-cause the death of 26 high school kids----just a fan belt]

[David R]

Ya made chicken salad out of chicken chit.

Ida moved the saddle.

David :)

[tanglediver]

Thanks Dave, the name is Danny.

[G3farms]

it's nice to have work, but you don't want all of it.

it's good to let your competition have some work too.

i think i would have fixed it right or declined.

hope it doesn't come back to bite you.

G3

[daddy]

Hey Danny, I just checked back in on this thread. Hope my comments about a crappy feeling were not misconstrued. I never meant to denegrate your repair in any way. I probably would have done just as you did. It would be nice If all the work we do was done "properly" , but in my experience things would never get done if everything was done right. Catch 22

[tanglediver]

This bite in my rump hasn't even left the yard yet. No Daddy, I don't take offense by any comments, they are all good. The excuses for good work never hold water. I felt worse for posting one of these no-warranty-orders in the first place. The first thing we (the boss) told the customer was that he needs a new trailer. It will be brought back into the bay before delivery and I hope we get this resolved. 2 ways out of this, all three are bad! :mad: It will be corrected one way or another, but as was suggested, this will not leave with a warranty! The customer new this before I ever touched it. Thanks for all the comments everyone.

[denrep]

Tanglediver,
You need this thing out of your hair once and for all. The poor fit-up is likely a spring issue. If you compensate by relocating brackets; it could end up coming back.

If at all possible, the spring hanger brackets should be in alignment with each other and the main rails. Even if it means pinning the spring first, and then pushing or pulling the brackets into place; leaving the springs under a torsional load.

If I was on the spot, I think I would turn the trailer over, springs up, and donate a couple of more hours, to be done with it.

Glad you posted, they're not all gravy jobs, it's nice to see a controversial tough one.

Good Luck

[scott9116]

I hate those kinda jobs. "I don't care how you fix it. I'll be back in an hour." Days later. "I thought you fixed this thing!"