FSM: Front Spindle Bearing Fit
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2020 1:41 am
Hello,
As I mentioned in a previous post, I found that I had lost the 'hat' hub cover and when I went to inspect the bearings I ran into some rather sad news. The bearings fell apart and the cups are badly scored. The spindle was worn such that the inner races of the bearings wobbled back and forth on the shaft a considerable amount. The grease that came out was loaded with ground steel.
So, I ordered parts from Agriline since neither the bearings or the spindles are available here in the USA.
The parts arrived and I decided to do some test fitting before I tore more of the front end of the tractor apart..
Well, the new bearings will not fit onto the new spindle (both inner and outer have the same problem). Measurements with a caliper confirm that the bearing ID is smaller than the spindle OD. In one case (outer) the dimensions are close enough that it _could_ be a press fit..
Anyhow, I'm here to get some information that I can't seem to find in the service manual.
Should the bearings slip onto the spindle or be pressed on? My experience with other (non agricultural) wheel bearings is that everything slips together snugly, but not as a press fit. The cups press into the hub, of course.
A related question is, are there different sized spindles for the Fordson Super Major that would vary by only a handful of thousandths? Maybe I accidentally ordered or was shipped another version of the spindle?
Thanks in advance for any insights.
Best,
As I mentioned in a previous post, I found that I had lost the 'hat' hub cover and when I went to inspect the bearings I ran into some rather sad news. The bearings fell apart and the cups are badly scored. The spindle was worn such that the inner races of the bearings wobbled back and forth on the shaft a considerable amount. The grease that came out was loaded with ground steel.
So, I ordered parts from Agriline since neither the bearings or the spindles are available here in the USA.
The parts arrived and I decided to do some test fitting before I tore more of the front end of the tractor apart..
Well, the new bearings will not fit onto the new spindle (both inner and outer have the same problem). Measurements with a caliper confirm that the bearing ID is smaller than the spindle OD. In one case (outer) the dimensions are close enough that it _could_ be a press fit..
Anyhow, I'm here to get some information that I can't seem to find in the service manual.
Should the bearings slip onto the spindle or be pressed on? My experience with other (non agricultural) wheel bearings is that everything slips together snugly, but not as a press fit. The cups press into the hub, of course.
A related question is, are there different sized spindles for the Fordson Super Major that would vary by only a handful of thousandths? Maybe I accidentally ordered or was shipped another version of the spindle?
Thanks in advance for any insights.
Best,