17
Inspection Procedure, (continued)
Clamp Body:
Check for cracked welds and obvious
distortion. Any cracked welds and/or distorted sideplates
are primary indicators of clamp overloading and/or
excessive sidepull and the clamp should be replaced.
Do not weld the clamp body, as this may
destroy the original heat treatment.
Linkage and Shackle Inspection:
Any cracks, bending,
elongation of rivet holes or obvious distortion is cause for
replacement of linkage components. Do not attempt to
correct any bending or distortion of parts.
Rivets:
Replace when cracked, bent or excessively worn.
Rivets may require replacement when a very loose
connection is detected. Linkage should normally be free
working. Should a rivet hole in the shackle, radius link or
connecting link become stretched or enlarged (usually
resulting from overloading), those parts should be
replaced. It is advisable to replace the rivet as well. To
replace any worn parts, drive rivets out over a relief
opening, such as a small section of pipe or the opening in
a vise.
Do not weld or substitute bolts for rivets.
Check connecting links to ascertain that they are not bent.
NORMAL
WORN
WARNING:
WARNING:
