Thrust bearings (3400)

[dtatum]

I just noticed that one of my new thrust bearings has lost several balls and upon examination the balls will just fall out.

Is it normal for these balls to just fall out? Only the grease holds them in? I've seen that on needle bearings but not ball. Before I order a new bearing I need to know if this was a defective part or carelessness on my part.

Thanks

 

[souNdguy]

steering box?

i havn't worked on an industrial.. so i don't know if they use the common thrust bearings the other smaller fords do. on all of mine. the cage keeps the rollers captive...

Ultradog may know.. he deals more with them newer ones. especially if there is power steering involved... I'm mostly a manual steering box guy..

 

[dtatum]

This is the thrust bearing [54] that goes on the spindle. It has never been used. I took my 3400 axle to have the center bored and a sleeve inserted and got the upper and lower bushings changed at the same time. They installed the bushings and inserted the spindles with new thrust bearing and new steel spacer. I pulled the spindles after getting home so I could paint the axle. I figured I would wait until I installed the new axle before putting the spindles back. Just noticed today that some of the ball bearings were missing and that the others would just fall out. The other one seems ok but not sure if the grease is holding them in or not.

I know I will need another thrust bearing but not sure if it was defective out of the box or not.

 

[dtatum]

Made a close examination between the two new thrust bearings - one with the ball falling out the gap was larger than the the other one. On the defective one the gap was about the same size as the balls....duh!

I called the supplier and made them aware of the defective part - another is on the way.

 

[Hobo,NC]

The rollers falling out in your application is not a deal killer if you had them you could put them back... As you stated the grease holds them in till they are assembled... Once assembled they will stay their dry are with grease...