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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Center torque tube bearing

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Center torque tube bearing -- page: 1 2     supereal 05-07-2012 @ 9:59 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 All torque tubes requiring a center bearing have a grease fitting about half way back. This fitting also serves to anchor the bearing collar in place. If you don't have a fitting, no bearing is needed. If you do, and plan to replace the bearing assembly. it must be lined up with the hole for the fitting, not an easy job. ford38v8 05-06-2012 @ 9:01 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2764 Joined: Oct 2009 Scott, your driveshaft is hollow, large diameter, requiring no center bearing. I've not seen one on a '38, but they were used on some '37's and most '36's. Alan Scott H 05-06-2012 @ 6:18 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 1 Joined: May 2012 Not to hijack the thread, but on the same topic... I'm trying to put together my driveshaft and torque tube. 1938 car. The shaft is 2 3/4" in the middle and has no machined surface for a bearing to ride on. The inside of the torque tube is smooth as well. The front where the caged roller bearing goes does not have an insert, it just fits in the end of the tube housing. Anyone else familiar with this? kubes40 04-25-2012 @ 6:36 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3406 Joined: Oct 2009 Thirtysixford, I can't tell you about the sleeve and bearing kit from Haney. I have never used one of his kits, having been fortunate enough to have a small stock of NOS bearings. Mike "Kube" Kubarth Cecil/WV 04-24-2012 @ 7:07 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 66 Joined: Oct 2009 I got one from Skip for my '40 and he showed how to install with a tool I made with PVC pipe. Worked great! Shiny side up! Cecil/WV thirtysixford 04-24-2012 @ 6:00 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 210 Joined: Oct 2009 Thanks guys I can't see or feel the condition of this bearing as its in the center of the tube. But........ The bearing machined surface in the middle of the drive shaft measures 1.102" (Chinese caliper). Where the center bearing rides in this area there are 2 groves worn in the shaft about .9" apart, they are about 1/8" wide and are 1.097" dia. Not sure if this is abnormal. Kubes40 So even if I get the kit from Haney, I need this to install? JM 04-24-2012 @ 8:32 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 823 Joined: Oct 2009 I second the suggestion to check with Skip Haney on what he offers as a replacement '37-'48 drive shaft bearing for $150.00 + 8.00 s&h. This item comes complete with shaft repair sleeve. Call day 1-941637-6698, night 1-941-505-9085 Mailing address: 12168 Azure Court, Pumta Gorda, FL. 33955 JM kubes40 04-23-2012 @ 6:51 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3406 Joined: Oct 2009 I have the tool from K.R.Wilson and it is a necessity. The bearing MUST be replaced in the correct orientation or the grease fitting will be moot. The KRW tool makes this job, both removal and installation a breeze. The bearings are nearly impossible to find as "40coupe" states. These days, expect $225+. Lincoln 04-22-2012 @ 7:45 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 56 Joined: Oct 2009 "THE 1935-36 FORD BOOK" states something like: "New rear axle assembly with solid drive shaft is being installed on some cars by the Rouge Assembly plant - this per a May 29, 1936 Service Letter". Then later, an August 1936 Dearborn Production Letter stated that this new design axle would be furnished to all Assembly Branches for use as an option to the earlier design axle (which used the tubular drive shaft and did not use a center bearing). At that time, Ford wanted to know if this new design developed any problems - this suggests the new axle was being used on a trial basis. The December 1936 Chassis Parts List for the 1937 models does list center bearing 68-4658, while the June 1937 parts book lists 78-4658 for only 1937. So sometime between those two dates the center bearing part number was changed. But are they truly the same bearing? This change in rear axle designs was only one of many changes made by FORD to the late-year 1936 FORDs. Like 40 Coupe sez, I would leave the center bearing alone if the rest of the rear axle checks out okay, and looks like it has had "a Happy Life". K.R. Wilson made a special tool for this center bearing, but others have devised their own "tools" to replace it. Hope this helps. Lincoln. 40 Coupe 04-21-2012 @ 4:54 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1678 Joined: Oct 2009 There are two bearings 68-4658 and 78-4658. I have never seen the 68- bearing, but have seen the 78-. It is possible the 68- bearing was replaced by the 78-. Neither of these bearings is listed for 1936 they are for 37 and later. The reason many tell you to leave it alone is the 78- bearing is very hard to find. It has not been reproduced, cost can exceed 175.00 there is a need for special tools to remove and install the bearing, and they don't seem to fail when greased, but when they do vibration can set it. I understand that Skip Haney has a replacement of the 78- bearing. Give him a call and ask for the literature and dimensions: 941 637-6698 days 941 505-9085 night fords@cwix.com

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