Tri-spport Bearing

[ShelbyDoug]

For those of you who don't know, this is the bearing that supports the stubby axle on the right side on a MTX car.
It is mounted to the stubby axle and was serviced as an assembly from Ford. It is now obsolete.

Now, my problem. I just replaced both front axles and discovered that the bearing has torn loose of its mounting cage.
The cage attaches it to the subframe and is what 1) supports the stub axle and 2) retains the axle into the transmission, there is no internal C clip on the stub axle/differential gear on this side.

The bearing itself is good. No play.
The rubberadhesive (that's what it looks like) is shot, torn loose, kaput. Get the picture?

I'm thinking of using two sheet metal screw drilled through the "retaining ring" to provide a stop for the bearing sliding out of it's saddle.
Considering that the bearing was glued in place initially the sheetmetal screws, loctited into place seem an appropriate repair.

I need some quick feedback on this issue from some that have had to deal with this.

I need you guys now. Give me a hollar! Thanks.

 

[AREA 91]

I know the shaft is obsolete, so the only way to find a replacement is to post in the WTB section. I understand what you are trying, and I think it would work. Another thought I had was to weld a strap from the inner to outer "shelf".

 

[93rev2sev]

Was it as bad as mine?


My used replacement looked like this...consider it a point of reference.

 

[Racer X]

Adhesive? Dude, that was rubber in there, regardless of what it turned into. I'd have to guess that the rubber got oil soaked and liquified over time. sheet metal screws won't provide the proper support, let alone have the give that bearing needs. The pillow bearing was there with reason; replacing it with something rigid will just lead to failure.

My recommendation is to find a replacement shaft/ bearing assy.

 

[ShelbyDoug]

Thank you for the replies gentlemen.
I woulld say yes, my bearing looks like your bad one.
I will post a wanted ad. That a good idea.

I did install the sheetmetal screws. I put two in and will monitor them carefully.

In all likeliness they will stay as an added safety feature on the "new" bearing. What the screws are doing is providing a stop shoulder for the bearing to keep it from sliding out of the sheet metal sleeve. If they are hardened they will last "forever".

If you examine what the factory bearing is doing, it's just replacing a c clip on the stub axle, and yes supporting the stub and keep it from wandering vertically and horizontally.
So what it does is "locate" the stub axle.

I think that the original design is inherently dangerous. The bearing was just "molded" to the bracket with "rubber". Consider it to have been "glued" in place.

Sorry I've got no pics to post. I'll see if I can work on that.

 

[Bob Gervais]

Thank you for the replies gentlemen.
I woulld say yes, my bearing looks like your bad one.
I will post a wanted ad. That a good idea.

I did install the sheetmetal screws. I put two in and will monitor them carefully.

In all likeliness they will stay as an added safety feature on the "new" bearing. What the screws are doing is providing a stop shoulder for the bearing to keep it from sliding out of the sheet metal sleeve. If they are hardened they will last "forever".

If you examine what the factory bearing is doing, it's just replacing a c clip on the stub axle, and yes supporting the stub and keep it from wandering vertically and horizontally.
So what it does is "locate" the stub axle.

I think that the original design is inherently dangerous. The bearing was just "molded" to the bracket with "rubber". Consider it to have been "glued" in place.

Sorry I've got no pics to post. I'll see if I can work on that.

www.nesho.com, send a part request. Last time I was at the shop I think Kirk had a few left.