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Re: [TowerTalk] Is Rohn TB3 Thrust bearing OK to use with "flat spots" o

To: George Dubovsky <n4ua.va@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Is Rohn TB3 Thrust bearing OK to use with "flat spots" on bearings?
From: Joseph or Ruth Patrick <hdmc38@bellsouth.net>
Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 09:09:23 -0700 (PDT)
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Thanks to all. I totally forgot about the set screw. You got your ifo now John.
 73 DE K4XZ Joe Patrick
God Made Man
Sam Colt Made Them Equal 




________________________________
From: George Dubovsky <n4ua.va@gmail.com>
To: Joseph or Ruth Patrick <hdmc38@bellsouth.net>
Sent: Tue, May 28, 2013 11:39:22 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Is Rohn TB3 Thrust bearing OK to use with "flat spots" 
on bearings?


In general, the bearing balls will be fine (diametrically) but the races will 
have pockets worn in them - this is the most common failure on the TB-3. The 
balls are steel, the races aluminum. The bearing will not just come apart. Look 
for a set screw in the collar. It will probably be rusted/corroded in place; 
soak it with penetrating oil like Kroil or PB Blaster and let it sit for a 
while. Put a good fitting hex wrench in the set screw, remove it, and you will 
be able to shake the balls out one by one (over a bucket, hopefully... ;-) Then 
the  bearing halves will come apart.

Clean, and reassemble in reverse order - do not use grease.

73,

geo - n4ua




On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 10:52 AM, Joseph or Ruth Patrick <hdmc38@bellsouth.net> 
wrote:

If the bearing races are good then you could just replace the bearings.
>You should be able to buy them at most bearing supply houses. The top of a TB-3
>just lifts off and the bearings spill out everywhere. Put the bearing in a 
piece
>of Tupperware to catch the bearings. As I recall the bolts are not stainless.
>They do have a point on one end and a square head. Just take it apart, If the
>races are good then get new bearings. and put it back together. NO GREASE. The
>bolts could probably be galvanized or stainless. Just use the proper
>installation for whatever type you use. Grade 5 or up.It's been awhile since I
>have looked at one so correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe you even have the bearing
>one your bench. Much easier to work on Good Luck
> 73 DE K4XZ Joe Patrick
>God Made Man
>Sam Colt Made Them Equal
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>From: John W <xnewyorka@hotmail.com>
>To: TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
>Sent: Tue, May 28, 2013 10:12:07 AM
>Subject: [TowerTalk] Is Rohn TB3 Thrust bearing OK to use with "flat spots" on
>bearings?
>
>
>I have an old Rohn TB3 that came with a used tower I bought. Cosmetically it
>looks good and spins without any unusual noise, but it feels like the bearings
>are somewhat oval in shape instead of round. It's hard to explain, but it's
>almost like a sort of ratcheting effect, like there is a little notch every few
>degrees, so that it almost 'clicks' into place, but without a clicking sound.
>
>
>I haven't tested it with a load, but I assume it would probably spin OK with
>only a very small increase in friction.
>
>
>
>
>Can it be used like this, or does it need to be repaired?  If it needs to be
>repaired, how does it come apart and where can I obtain replacement bearings 
for
>it?
>
>
>
>On a related note, is it recommended to use stainless bolts for the set screws
>that hold the mast in place, or galvanized?  (The originals are gone.)
>
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>
>
>John
>
>W2ID
>                       
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