Cleaning Out Bearing In Torque Tube

[philipswanson]

I have my driveshaft out on my 40 and wondering how to clean out the center bearing in the torque tube. Anybody done this?

[Tim Ayers]

As in remove it? If so, I believe there are a few post about making a puller.

[deuce_roadster]

More then likely if you remove the original, the rubber part will be destroyed. If I didn't have the proper tool (which I do) I would leave it in and just force new grease through it. If it is making noise, then pull it out and replace it.

[philipswanson]

It's not making noise, I only have the torque tube out since I am installing a Columbia. I do not plan to take it out, only clean and lube in place to some degree.

[Kurt in NJ]

Flush it with grease till it comes out clean, perhaps put in driveshaft and spin some, then pull it out and grease some---- continue till you feel it is flushed

[V8COOPMAN]

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Originally Posted by philipswanson

I have my driveshaft out on my 40 and wondering how to clean out the center bearing in the torque tube. Anybody done this?

Check-out Jim Pullen's (19Fordy) post #5 in this thread below. Click the link! DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...e+tube+bearing








………..

[19Fordy]

Mr. Swanson, Don't remove that center bearing if it still fighting tightly inside the torque tube and DO NOT use any solvent based cleaner to clean out your torque tube or the bearing itself. I didn't use any cleaner. You will dissolve the 80 year old rubber. You will destroy it. Plus, even if you are lucky enough to find another OEM bearing, the price will shock you and installing it is a bear without proper tool.

Squirt fresh grease into the bearing and then tie a piece of rags around the end take a long piece of tubing, rod etc and use it as a ram rod to clean out the old bearing inside the tube as well as the tube itself. Do this this at least 10 times. There is an internal flange into which the rubber encased center bearing is squeezed. There's no substantial load on that bearing except to prevent excessive radial thrust "wobble". I was surprised it wasn't a tight fit against the drive shaft.

Then look down the torque tube with a very bright flashlight and see what it looks like.
As long as the rubber is not dissolved your probably good to go. There is a leather shaft seal on each side of the bearing. After reassembly, I lubed the bearing with just 1 squirt of Corn Head Grease. That was in 20i7. Seems fine today.

[philipswanson]

I already flushed it out with mineral spirits then poured a quart of gear lube 80 90W thru it. Will follow up with grease as you recommended. All looks good. Thanks.

[G.M.]

Attached is Skip's center bearing instructions. G.M.

[19Fordy]

phillip: I think there is a temptation to overfill that bearing with grease. Just 2 squirts at most every couple of years. That's my guess.

[philipswanson]

Too late, I gave it about 10 but whose counting. A little extra grease in there flying around shouldn't hurt anything.

[philipswanson]

Originally Posted by G.M.

Attached is Skip's center bearing instructions. G.M.

Wow! I would hate to have to do all of that. Think I would prefer to rebuild an engine.

Thanks.

[highbeams]

Yes! I never knew that there was a torque tube bearing in my 1936 Ford half-ton until the bearing let me know with a terrible racket! "What the . . ."

Oh, that poor bearing certainly was neglected since new. Not a spot of grease anywhere! SOME YEARS DO NOT HAVE THE BEARING; SOME DO I now understand by reading up on it.

AND the bearing is not necessarily where the Zerk fitting is!

One could pump the entire torque tube fulla grease & not touch the bearing!

Look down the tube, 'hook' the bearing & replace if nec.(standard bearing)

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by highbeams

Yes! I never knew that there was a torque tube bearing in my 1936 Ford half-ton until the bearing let me know with a terrible racket! "What the . . ."

Yeah, "What the....?"


I've NEVER heard of a '36 Ford with a center torque tube bearing. DD

[philipswanson]

I really don't know why you even need that center bearing with a straight rigid shaft like that.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by philipswanson

I really don't know why you even need that center bearing with a straight rigid shaft like that.

Philip.....It's strictly physics! There are a couple of helicopter guys on the forum here that will tell you the same thing when it comes to the drive line for helicopter tail rotors. The earlier driveshafts on these Fords(without the bearing) were actually built-up utilizing a long piece of tubing of a rather substantial diameter, not un-like the basic idea behind current-day drive shafts. When you rotate a piece of tubing at the speeds that driveshafts normally turn, the very physical make-up of tubing resists any kind of bowing or "whipping" in the center of the span. On the other hand, Henry decided that it would be cool (probably 'cuz they're easier to manufacture) to start making the driveshafts out of one solid piece of machined steel shaft material. As long as those drive shafts are (like the one in your '40), they can tend to whip in the middle at higher speeds if not supported in that bearing. Clear as mud, right? DD

[19Fordy]

What V8 says makes sense. I recall my 40 drive shaft center bearing would produce a vibrating rumble sound as the center bearing rubber was dissolved by rear end fluid. Bearing was no longer functioning. Car is raked.
When I took it apart, the center bearing and the goo just slid out. I was surprised.

[glennpm]

Great cleaning instructions in post #7 Jim! This is in my plans for this summer.


Glenn