M35A3 rear wheel bearing packing, with photos

[jstier]

I have been in the Bearing industry for almost 24 years now.
Timken and all the other bearing mfg price according to volume not how much it costs to mfg.
Finding another to mfg would not be cost effective for them based that there are only around 6000 M35a3's.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

How different are these bearings a substitute couldn't be found and modified if necessary?

 

[jstier]

How different are these bearings a substitute couldn't be found and modified if necessary?

First of all. Bearings are made of 52100 Bearing steel and are mfged to such high tollerances. We are talking down to Millionth of an Inch. There are a few companies out there that can modify bearings, but it is costly. Mainly we use these guys to make us assemblies that have a long leadtime and cost isn't the concern and much as just getting them.
Bearing have a pretty high Rockwell and normally have to be ground. Grinding make alot of very small particles that are not easy to remove from a assemblied bearing. You would be amazed how clean a new bearing is when removed from the factory package. You should never remove any bearing from the factory package until you are ready to install. And never wash a new bearing. The factory preseritive is compatable with any form of lube out there.

Here are a couple pics of a bearing for a steel mill. Costs about $55,000.00 ea and weighs 2700lbs

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Now that's a bearing! Thanks for the tip on not washing. I always assumed the opposite!

 

[Thunder in NWOR]

jstier: Since this is an assembly w seals there should be more numbers on it IE 902A1. Normally found on outer Race

Here are Numbers:
Inner bearing: NSN 3110013991251
A-50085
RCSK-14778
395WE-902A1
Outer Bearing: NSN 3110012991253
A-50086
RCSK-14776
392E-39202C

....and thanks for the 'not washing' tip!!!

 

[jstier]

No problem on the Bearing tip. I have been to more bearing schools than anyone person should every go too in the last 23 years. I have forgot more about bearing than most will ever know.

 

[michaelpilot1]

Where did you get the outer wheel seals? And what adhesive did you use?

I got the outer wheel seals at Erics surplus but they are available at many MV parts sales places, it seems all M35s use the same outer seal. It along with a small piece to cork gasket keeps the diff oil out of the outer bearing and hub center, although I am not sure the cork does much on the A3s since there is an oring below it to seal off the air for the ctis. The part number of the outer seal is 7061238. The only sealer that I used on the whole job was a very light bead of permatex aviation sealer around the outer circumference of the inner seal where it presses into the outer race of the inner bearing.

 

[shovelheadmike]

So, if you don't mind scrapping the CTIS, why not use A2 standard bearings and seals?

 

[michaelpilot1]

So, if you don't mind scrapping the CTIS, why not use A2 standard bearings and seals?

A little bit of labor and about 1200 dollars will do all the wheels, its my plan if I ever have a bearing failure. The CTIS system is allready dissabled on mine.

 

[jstier]

For those of you following this tread.
Good news and Bad
Timken will sell them to me @ & 425.00 ea, But will not have stock till July 2012

PS I did find some on an online auction site while I was searching for other things this morning. EGAY or something like that.

Jeff

 

[Bob USNR]

There are industrial suppliers that specialize in bearings and seals that may be able to get you the parts fairly cheap.
There is one here in no. va. that has bailed me out many times over the last 40+ years.
Recently I needed a special bearing called a "cam yoke roller". It is a special type of Bering that is no longer available from the machine's supplier.
This Bering and seal supplier had them on the shelf!

e

 

[Bob USNR]

Great info and pictures from jstier .

My cousin has been making bearings for nearly 30 years with American Roller Bering in NC.
I have background in metallurgy myself. A "simple" bering is actually quite complex.

After reading this I'm glad I didn't buy an a3.

e

 

[jstier]

There are industrial suppliers that specialize in bearings and seals that may be able to get you the parts fairly cheap.
There is one here in no. va. that has bailed me out many times over the last 40+ years.
Recently I needed a special bearing called a "cam yoke roller". It is a special type of Bering that is no longer available from the machine's supplier.
This Bering and seal supplier had them on the shelf!

e

I work for one of them. Applied Industrial Tech. Formerly Bearing Inc or Dixie Bearings down South. We have over 400 locations nation wide. we sell bearings, seals, chain, sprockets, Electric Motors, Gearboxes, tools, and tons of other stuff. Anyone can buy from us and we do alot of walk in sales.
.

 

[jstier]

Great info and pictures from jstier .

My cousin has been making bearings for nearly 30 years with American Roller Bering in NC.
I have background in metallurgy myself. A "simple" bering is actually quite complex.

After reading this I'm glad I didn't buy an a3.

e

I deal With ARB alot, they are a good company. They make alot of speciials that no one will even quote due to being obsolete or low demand, and charge accordingly. But a great asset in my industry

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Thanks for checking on it Jeff. Still insane, but only half insane now! Time to watch GL auctions, if they're getting rid of A3's I assume bearings and parts will follow?

 

[jstier]

No problem.
i did a search on line and saw where a lot went about a month ago that had some in it.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Been trying to talk my wife into a "parts" truck, but she sees through that one. One parts truck would turn into a running vehicle needing a parts truck...... Like the shampoo commecial......

 

[autigers35a3]

Cheaper to buy complete NOS or used axle instead of buying bearings as I see it...

 

[Commander5993]

We just bought an A3, haven't even picked it up yet. But I've been trying to search and read all the maintenance threads concerning the A3.
After reading this thread, and seeing the prices for wheel bearings on the A3. Checking and Repacking the bearings is going to be one of the first things I do.

I've looked into the TM's about this, but they don't seem to give much info. I've also tried searched more here on SS, but with only limited results. Is there any articles here or elsewhere that show a more detailed breakdown of Wheel bearing removal and repacking procedures?
Is the A3 pretty much like repacking any other trucks wheel bearings... only larger?

Thanks in Advance!

 

[michaelpilot1]

The TMs are not very clear as to the packing procedures since the seal is not replaceable and the new bearings come prepacked with the seal installed I guessed them to not be repackable. That being said I repacked mine and was glad that I did since the outer seals had leaked diff oil into the bearings that washed the grease out. My plan is to run the new grease for a while then dissassemble to insure that the seals are not damaged. I did not remove the seal from the inner bearing's inner race to repack but gently forced grease into the small end of the bearing so as to minimally disturb the seal. Good luck on the recovery, send some photos when you get the A3 home.