Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TowerTalk] FW: Replacement worm gear box for TX-472 motorized tower

To: Grant Saviers <grants2@pacbell.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] FW: Replacement worm gear box for TX-472 motorized tower...
From: Charles Gallo <charlie@thegallos.com>
Date: Sat, 13 May 2017 03:38:05 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Or, as they are low speed, intermittent use, subject to vibration which can 
cause fretting on ball bearings, and out in the weather, the best would 
probably actually be a plastic sleeve bearing! (If I was a tower winch maker 
that would be how I looked). Think glass filled acetal and the like (I'd stay 
away from Nylon/glass filled nylon) as they have water absorption issues with 
related size changes, although Nylon66 might work
Nice slippery stuff, no need for lube, won't fret, and sized right won't cold 
flow

I know the Yaesu thrust bearing I have feels like it is a plastic sleeve bearing


--  
73 de KG2V
Charlie

> On May 13, 2017, at 2:13 AM, Grant Saviers <grants2@pacbell.net> wrote:
> 
> One additional comment re bearings, in reconditioning an LM354 TriEx I found 
> the bad bearings were Boeing surplus aircraft control cable sheaves.  Marked 
> with "Boeing + part numbers" and with a pressed in ball bearing uniquely made 
> for them.  Apparently TriEx bought a big lot of Boeing surplus.  Not to be 
> found in any bearing catalog, but there they were on ebay!
> 
> So unless you are lucky on ebay or can machine new sheaves or machine them to 
> fit stock bearings, the clean and grease fix is an probably the best 
> alternative and should last a few years.  While not as low friction as ball 
> bearings an oilite sleeve bearing could be machined to fit and won't rust or 
> seize up.
> 
> Grant KZ1W
> 
>> On 5/12/2017 21:49 PM, Matt wrote:
>> Just wanted to echo Rick's comment.   I have 4 older crank-ups (2 Triex and
>> 2 UST) and all have had pulley bearings go dry over the years.  The only
>> failures I have seen develop with gear boxes have been leaking seals.  One
>> of my towers was, however, acquired with a gear box that was dead on arrival
>> and had to be rebuilt.   Other than that, I have found the gear boxes to be
>> pretty reliable provided that they are not allowed to run out of gear lube.
>> 
>> Regarding the pulley bearings, replacement bearings are generally very hard
>> to find, and replacement pulley assemblies are expensive.   I have had very
>> good success reconditioning old tower pulley bearings by drilling a small
>> hole in the side shield of the bearing and inserting a hypodermic grease
>> needle (available at your local auto parts house) to flush out the old
>> grease with new grease.   If the bearing won't turn at all, try running it
>> under a parts washer while working the races back & forth to loosen up the
>> stiff grease.   Then flush out the old grease with new as described above.
>> 
>> If you do need replacement bearings, I suggest trying a bearing supply
>> house.  There is usually one in most larger cities.  It will be best to
>> remove the bearing from the pulley and take it to the parts counter unless
>> you have a set of micrometers or a good dial caliper to measure the old
>> bearing dimensions accurately.
>> 
>> Most pulley bearings simply drive out of the housing (they are press fit &
>> peened in place) - look for a snap ring first & if you don't see one then
>> it's a good bet it's press fit.   Beware that many pulley bearings can only
>> be removed from one side of the pulley.   If you drive it in the wrong
>> direction you can shatter the retaining lip on the pulley bore which will
>> trash the pulley.   After reinstalling the replacement bearing, be sure to
>> peen the pulley from the installation side around the circumference of the
>> outside race to help securely retain the bearing in the pulley.
>> 
>> Hope this info is useful & good luck.
>> 
>> 73
>> Matt
>> KM5VI
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Rick
>> Stealey
>> Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 5:20 PM
>> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Replacement worm gear box for TX-472 motorized
>> tower...
>> 
>> Do you know the problem is not the pulleys?
>> 
>> I have the same tower.  7 pulleys were bad.  Motor stalled.
>> 
>> 
>> Rick  K2XT
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>