While repairing a leaking track adjuster, noticed the o-ring that is supposed to be serving as a wiper is floating along the exposed chrome cylinder of the adjuster. The rather thin metal lip that held it has corroded into oblivion. Looking for ways to retain the original o-ring via a fabricated metal ring retained by drive screws as well as some sort of replacement, like a repurposed lip seal.
My question would be why? Either yank it all out and replace it, which will run you a few shekels for aftermarket parts, or ignore it. The wiper is only of importance when you collapse the cylinder really. Bit of motorcycle inner tube and a couple zip ties would suffice also. Got a part number for the corroded part?
Part number? No. Doubt there is one. Looks like a sheetmetal something was originally welded to the face of the cylinder end to hold the o-ring. The side I am working on has a thin layer of dirt lining the inside, not really hurting anything but figured while apart, if was something could jury-rigged to keep further dirt out now would be the time. The other side has had the adjuster replaced before I got the machine, the o-ring is in free-float on it as well. Guess if it really doesn't matter I'll not worry about it.
The original Cat adjuster used a four bolt plate retainer for the wiper ring. Pt. #7H2440 but it seems you have an aftermarket version?
It is yellow, bearing proper patina, looks to be original. The other sides adjuster, the flange with zirk is a military green and the part is clean like it has been replaced not too long ago. The wiper is in float mode on it too. Need to do some cleaning then look to see if remnants of bolt heads appear before reassembling. Need to call Cat anyway so will ask about a retainer like you describe.
Try posting a photo of the offending article. Someone here may well recognize it.
Here is what the Parts Manual shows
The long awaited service manual finally arrived. According to it, early tractors had the bolt-on retainer (plate) but there is no mention what the later versions used. From the drawing, OM, I see no way mine had the bolt-on version, nothing there but a couple shards of jagged remnants of thin metal. Will ask Chuck at the Cat House.
They made several versions up through the D4D series. All the versions my books show had a retainer plate either bolted from the front or rear except one that had the seal ring built in to the pilot assembly. Seems like that's the one you have. Used on the 84J series and possibly others.
There may be bolt holes hidden in all that dirt and gunk but it looks like there had been a thin metal retainer for the o-ring... envision a regular metal shielded lip seal with the rubber gone. And, the metal smooshed and broken. Do to the location and darkness I am stuck working weekend days, have the adjusted bits cleaned and ready for installation but not the adjuster "housing." After a good scrub I'll report back with what it looks like clean.
A picture of the cleaned up version would help.