1945 Deere B first reduction outer bearing fittment

[Derweibhai]

I think I got the correct SKF ( 6204-J) outer bearing for my tractor, but it and the original have play between the outer race and the hole in the cover. It was a tight fit getting the bearing past the edge of the hole, but once it got past the outer 1/8 inch outer lip and cleared the clip channel it is able to move freely around in the hole in all directions. The clip also had wear on the inside from the bearing moving. How do you guys address this? This is a restored tractor and gets regular use on the farm as intended.

Gears and splines all look fine with no unusual wear or damage. Splines on that shaft do not stick out past the gear and it is nice and tight on them. The shaft does have play when not pushed in towards the transmission case. Don't know if I need to replace that bearing in the transmission case or not. Not familiar enough to know how much play is too much.

 

[Derweibhai]

From searching online this seems to be a common problem that people label a "spun bearing" in the cover. My bearing that was in the tractor wasn't really in horrible shape it was going bad, and has play, but isn't coming apart yet or even sticky enough to spin the outer race. I do have a parts tractor and will check the condition of that reduction cover, but with its age, my guess is that it will be in the same or worse condition.

 

[greenmech]

The bearing housing can be bored and sleeved. Maybe shim it up good with metal strips. Ron MN

 

[Derweibhai]

I have shim stock and the right type of locktite. Shim stock is brass though I think. I would assume stainless or regular steel would be better for the shim.

 

[Mark-Ia]

Might center punch around the hole for the bearing surface
to make it fit tighter.

 

[JIM MN]

Mark is right, Center punch even around bearing hole and locktite That will last a long time.!

 

[Derweibhai]

Too much slop for the punch to move enough metal. Would give more surface area for the locktite, but would also make it difficult to add shims if needed.

 

[MSD]

Does the bearing protrude past the edge of the side cover? If it does the cap should push against it and hold it.

 

[Derweibhai]

No it has an internal and external snap ring that hold it centered in the cover.

 

[Derweibhai]

Got everything put back together with the bearing shimmed with a sacrificial feeler gauge. Did the fill and drain mod to the case and filled it with 1 qt of oil. Ran the tractor for about 5 minutes with the bearing cap off the outer bearing and saw no signs it is getting any oil from inside the cover. Any suggestions? I don't really want to grease it, as then it can't get oil at all. I don't want to shell out another bearing and have to do this all over again.

 

[MSD]

I always pack them with grease just incase they don't get oil but have never had one of them fail.

 

[Derweibhai]

I got a bunch of new old stock Gitz oiling cups off Ebay. I am going to install one into the cover in a way it won't get hit by anything. Having it drip heavy oil in from the outside should work.

 

[Johnnypopper]

Got everything put back together with the bearing shimmed with a sacrificial feeler gauge. Did the fill and drain mod to the case and filled it with 1 qt of oil. Ran the tractor for about 5 minutes with the bearing cap off the outer bearing and saw no signs it is getting any oil from inside the cover. Any suggestions? I don't really want to grease it, as then it can't get oil at all. I don't want to shell out another bearing and have to do this all over again.

If this is the bearing you are talking about, could you put a grease zerk in the bearing cap as shown in the photo

 

[greenmech]

If this is the bearing you are talking about, could you put a grease zerk in the bearing cap as shown in the photo View attachment 159579

I did that on one A I had. Ron MN

 

[Derweibhai]

I have a grease zerk in the cover in a 37 A I have and it's bearing is toast as well. I think a better option is a Gitz oil cup in the cover. Once you grease it it can never get oil again. Both sides of the bearing are open and that grease has to go somewhere. I plan to fill the cup with heavy gear oil if the cup oiler will support that, it will flow into the cover and through the bearing then on into the crankcase. Seems like the best option to remedy Deere's poor design. That. Bearing needed a dedicated oil line from the factory. This tractor will be used as designed on basically a daily basis for quite some time. It may even get a snow plow for winter if I get ambitious.