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Triumph TR6 - Accelerator Shaft Bearings

Just thought I'd share a positive experience I had today with accelerator shaft bearings. I know this sounds like an oxymoron, but it's true. This is the first time I have done this, and I quickly found that all of the horror stories are true. Out of shear frustration I decided to put a bearing in the microwave. 15 seconds, nothing; 30 seconds, nothing; I finally took it up to about 3 minutes and realized that it won't melt, but just keeps getting softer. I was ultimately able to just push it into the bulkhead. Did the passenger side first. Since I was on a roll I decided to try something else on the driver's side. I nuked it for 3 minutes, ran out in the garage and pushed it into the bulkhead from the PASSENGER compartment instead of the engine compartment, and immediately pushed the accelerator shaft through it at an angle while it was still soft. It worked! after they cool down they harden right back up, good as new.

Jim
Jim Vandenberg

Good post Jim. Think thats the best tip I have seen yet..:)

Never thought of using the nuke. Nuke really shouldn't damage rubber or poly. Quick search on internet shows manufacurers are using it. Is there any deforming or damage you can see?

Guess I'll hafta buy the wife a new one and take the old one to the shop.

When you think about it that method has all kinds of suspension applications.

Do any of the engineer guys know of anything to watch for?

Bill
Bill Brayford

I am more of a metal, EM window and refractory materials weenie, but some of the plastic stuff has been picked up by assmosis (kind of like osmosis but occurs when we are sitting around at work talking about the different things we have going on) from the composite and plastic guys. From what I gather it should not be a problem to heat and install. I will try and verify tomorrow.

I have gone the bronze bushing route on my TR6 and have a set made for the TR250 when we get around to doing anything with it.
SteveP

Do you use a snap ring to hold the bronze bushing on?
Tom

Bill, no deformation of the bearing whatsoever.

JIm
Jim Vandenberg

There should be no harm to the stock bushing from the heating for installation purposes. It is a thermoplastic and can be formed when softened, but becomes rigid in that shape when it cools. As long as ou get it installed while it is soft, you are good to go.

For the bronze bushings that I installed, I am using some very narrow sleeve clamps.
SteveP

What you're doing with the microwave is mostly heating the water absorbed inside the polymer. That's why it takes so long. If the polymer is the type that absords a lot of water you run the risk of a minature steam explosion inside the piece. It may not be noticeable, but it may wreck the integrity of the piece. Again, since it's really a non-critical application, it may not be noticed.

If you try it with a polymer with a graphite or metal filler, though, the thing is liable to deform & scorch. Bummer.

Good it worked for you, but a 10 minute soak in boiling water would be better, IMHO.

BB
Brent B

Thanks for the feed back Jim.

Hey Brent

I can see the problem with Metalastic products if not fully enclosed but not sure of the graphite? Can you give more info?

I like the concept because it should give a nice even heating. The part should be softer inside and out at an overall lower temp?

Bill
Bill Brayford

Hey, Bill.

Graphite absorbs microwaves pretty well. The bigger the part with graphite being "cooked", the more uneven the heating - the outside may char before the inside gets warm.
Brent B

Graphite does indeed respond "well" to electromagnetic fields. When we were working on directional solidifcation of mixed dielectric powders we would make a small graphite ring and place it at the bottom of the melt skull and align it to the middle of the EM generator coils. The graphite ring would couple with the EM energy and heat up. This would then get the normally dielectric powder surrounding the ring hot enough to where it would then become conductive and couple with the EM energy. Throw in enough energy, the powders melt, you move the skull through the field, as the the liquid cools coming out of the filed it solidifies in a preferred orientation tied to the eutectic composition of the powder mixture. It's been many years since we worked on that, but I still think it was rather trick process.

Bottom line is keep that graphite filled stuff out of the microwave.
SteveP

Steve- Just how many pencils do you keep in your pocket protector?
Appreciate your knowledge!
Don K
DON KELLY

So Steve to sum this up for an old Canadian.

Iffa you putta the widgety witha tha graphity inna da nuke! You gonna buy Momma new nuke anna car new part. I got it EH..:)

Watch the content and if clean Nuke away as per Jim. Or use Brents boiled method.

Since were in the kitchen boys. Any thoughts on using that little deep fryer that is being tossed due to trans-fatty acid scare? You know the one thats been in the back of the cupboard for 20 years. That breadmaker would make an awesome bondo mixer as well! Things gotta have lots of life left only made 5 loaves. At 50 bucks a loaf thats a lotta bread?

Theres gotta be a shop use for all the short term kitchen fads? Kinda gives us a new edge on the look what I got you for Christmas honey? So shop wise guys.

Bill



Bill Brayford

Don, only one, Pentel mechanical that I've had from when I was first "Institutionalized."

Bill, that pretty much sums it up, eh. I use lots of kitcheny type stuff in the shop, but more of the commercial variety that I pick up at a local restaurant supply. Sheet pans, busing trays, steam table stuff, etc. Used to do this when I still got to play in the lab too. The powders mentioned above, mixed in Hobart commercial mixer for large batchs, in a heavy duty Kitchen Aid mixer for small ones. I dare say that one of those heavy duty Kitchen Aid mixers with would work for mixing bondo, the paddle in a bread machine has such a small working area that you would get a good mix.

But just to show that researchy stuff can be fun, this is a true to life (good thing the statute of limitations has run out) story of "your tax dollars at work" for those in the USA. While in school as Co-op working for GTRI, we had a project funded by the Office of Naval Research. I won't bore you with the details, but the end result was that we had extremely pure ehtanol produced as a by product of this work. We took great pains to reclaim this ethanol and put it to good use. We threw some wild "Jim Jones Jungle Juice" parties with that stuff. I would like to thank the ONR for some truly spectacular hang overs and to tip my hat to all of those that contributed their tax dollars toward our parties. What we didn't drink up could also be used to clean the heads on our tape decks.......
SteveP

Kitchen stuff in a garage? You have to keep that equipment hidden and your wife locked out. I saw a program on one of the Hot Rod shows where a guy bought an old electric stove at a garage/yard sale and used it for powder coating his car suspension parts. I just priced having my wheels done and the aspect of doing them myself looks pretty good. Besides, I can always heat up pizza on super bowl sunday.
Joe Justice
Joe Justice

Speaking of kitchens..my wife came home and asked what I was cooking in the oven at 350 and that it smells funny....she opened it to find my trailing arms....I discovered aluminum paint cures faster and better at 350 for 20 mins.....the week before that she found my at the stove with her turkey thermometer and the temp compensators bubbling away in one of her good pots.
She was not amused...I figured good car..good pots.
Charlie
Charlie Ballard '75 TR6

This thread was discussed between 18/11/2004 and 22/11/2004

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