Joined: Oct 10, 2012 Posts: 310 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 1:17 pm Post subject: Steering Bellcrank Rebuild
I figured that it was time to rebuild the steering bellcrank to reduce some of the slack.
Remove old bellcrank form the jeep. I found that the old needle bearings had completely degraded and were floating around the bellcrank.
Use a socket of the exact size and press out the bearings and seals
Here is the bellcrank with all of the bearings and seals removed
Here is the new kit, available from several dealers.
Pack the bearings with fresh grease and reassemble in reverse.
Now this is exactly the same as it was when I removed for rebuild. My question is how do the seals stay in place? With the gap on the top between the top seal and the frame, it seems to me like the seals would just get blown out if you pump in grease. It was set up with a couple of washers inside initially.
Additionally, the center pivot shaft of the rebuild kit is notably shorter than the original and as such would be too short to fit all the way through the bracket.
Joined: Jun 15, 2014 Posts: 268 Location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 3:01 am Post subject:
I had same issue with the length of center shaft and ended up using old shaft with new bearings. Not sure what that shaft is suppose to be used on but it was to short to use on my bellcrank. I just assumed my bellcrank was not original that area of my jeep was repaired due to rust prior to me buying it _________________ 1952 M38 project
Brad
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:45 am Post subject:
You have an M38 CDN (looking at your signature)? That's funny - your bellcrank looks like my '64 USMC M38a1 bellcrank. Does yours have a screw on cap on the bottom? I also had to use the original bolt instead of the one that came with the kit. _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 4:46 am Post subject:
Was this bellcrank original to the '50s M38, or an upgrade in later years? From what I have read, this bellcrank was an upgrade for the US USMC contract (1960s) M38a1s. _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
Joined: Oct 10, 2012 Posts: 310 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 1:25 pm Post subject:
Apologies for having the same topic in 2 places… you tend to get a better response in the technical knowledge section but keeping the thread attached to the build makes it easier to reference the answer later. I'll keep the discussion here and then link to it in the build thread.
It seems like these bigger cranks with the screw caps were a standard equipment on Canadian M38s. Hopefully BCA may be along to contribute his knowledge.
I also referenced a previous thread where I was asking about a cap of sorts that I found on my frame bracket. The conclusion in that thread was that the cap remained unidentified as it was not in the exploded diagram. Perhaps this cap is a standard item when using this deeper bellcrank.
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10678
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum