Jack shaft and bearings

[Knowledge_is_key]

Hello mechanics. Just recently had to change the ball wheel side jack shaft and bearing. It always amazes me how much effort it takes to get the bearings on. It's a pretty snug fit. I have the bearing tool to hammer it on but it's still pretty tough. I mean it takes alot of full body wacks to get them in.
I was wondering if anyone had any other tips or tricks to make it much smoother to get on? Thanks

[Phil_B]

Use the press Brunswick sells for jackshaft installation.

[loadtoad]

I agree with Phil on this. The C clamp monster press B sells does the trick with only minor manhandling of the parts. NO pounding needed.

Part # 12-700270

[PJ]

You can also squeeze the bearing in with the pulleys.

[SoCalTom]

You can also squeeze the bearing in with the pulleys.

I have tried that method with disastrous results. Pliers have a bad habit of chewing up the bearing.

What I have used with great success is about a four inch length of 3/8 inch threaded rod and a couple of nuts and fender washers. (A 3/8 inch bolt will work equally as well, as long as the bolt is threaded to the hex end.) Place the bearing in the hole, run the threaded rod through the bearing and hole; then put a fender washer and nut on each end of the rod, and tighten the rig. This will "suck" the bearing into its mount without difficulty.

[loadtoad]

SoCal, that actually sounds a heck of lot easier to handle than the B clamp.

[JohnSebeny]

I have tried that method with disastrous results. Pliers have a bad habit of chewing up the bearing.

What I have used with great success is about a four inch length of 3/8 inch threaded rod and a couple of nuts and fender washers. (A 3/8 inch bolt will work equally as well, as long as the bolt is threaded to the hex end.) Place the bearing in the hole, run the threaded rod through the bearing and hole; then put a fender washer and nut on each end of the rod, and tighten the rig. This will "suck" the bearing into its mount without difficulty.

i use that same method on the oilite bearings that go in the frame for the turret clutch. much easier than trying to hammer the things in there (plastic hammer of course)

[House]

i lube the outside of the bearing prior to install. a little dab of grease on the outer side of the bearing.

for install i use either the jackshaft tool, rubber/plastic hammer, or use a metal hammer with a junk oval pivot link used in A2 pit cushions for the stubborn little guys.

[SoCalTom]

SoCal, that actually sounds a heck of lot easier to handle than the B clamp.

It IS quite easy. What makes it really easy is to use a ratcheting box end wrench on the outer side and a standard box wrench on the inside. You don't bust your knuckles, it's easy on the bearing; and you won't distort anything else by hammering (even with a dead blow or plastic hammer). You probably have all of the necessary parts in your junk box; which means that you won't spend a lot of bucks on a single use tool.

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

SoCal is correct...you can use a worm shaft bearing retainer on the back side to pull the bearing into as some of it will protrude through the frame. I also use a couple of spring retainers from the worm shaft to stradle the worm shaft bearing retainer and the bearing I am pulling in. Then a couple of large washers...the ones from the spring rods works great...and a 1/2 inch bolt to pull it all together. Nothing special to buy if you have these lying around the shop.

[MASTERMIKE]

Im actually trying to picture how you are doing this when jack shaft needs to be put in place at least before one of the bearings go on

Mike

[loadtoad]

Mike, I'm pretty sure it's a personal preference for some mechs to have one of the bearings seated in the elevator frame to sort of prop up/support the rest of the shaft as they align/install the other components. I suggested the giant B clamp thing since I preferred to put everything on at once and squish things together...doing all thread only works for one end since the shaft itself is going through the bearing, so you aren't missing anything.........

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

Mike...this is only to get the first bearing in. To install the other bearing onto the shaft, I use two of the spacers (12-400018-002), one 12-400139-005 washer, one of the spring retainers from the worm shaft and a long 3/8-16 bolt. Install the bearing onto the shaft, then the spring retainer, the washer and then the two spacers. Using the actual washer that holds the pulley on (12-400139-003) and the long bolt, pull the bearing into the frame and onto the boss of the shaft. The spring retainer should keep the bearing properly aligned as you tighten the bolt. If not, I use a punch to strike the spring retainer on the side that the bearing is not going in and it should straighten it right out. Remove the parts you used to install the bearing and then put the spacer, pulley and key on the shaft. You really don't need the Brunswick press although it does work just fine. I have one...just don't use it any more.

[MASTERMIKE]

Ok,

I got ya... For some reason i was thinking you all were describing with both bearings and i was like how the heck did they get the shaft in...LOL...

But tell you what, That sounds pretty cool and i might just give that a try on my next one

Mike