Bell crank and rebuild parts

85jeepcj · Post by **85jeepcj** » Tue Dec 18, 2018 1:36 pm

Looking to buy NOS M38 steering bell crank and rebuild kits.

MarkR1951M38 · Post by **MarkR1951M38** » Wed Dec 19, 2018 8:19 am

Kiserwillys.com has kits for around $50...if you are talking clutch linkage kits.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 19, 2018 8:59 am

I believe he is looking for the steering bellcrank rebuild kits which can be difficult to find US made parts for. Also the bellcranks came in different shaft sizes depending on model application.

rgmutchler · Post by **rgmutchler** » Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:12 am

Measure the shaft and then call some of the usual suppliers. I have found NOS steering sector shafts and other like stuff at Mullins. He would be my first call and Midwest Military would be my next.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:58 am

I redid my bell crank with tapered roller bearings. A guy on the cj5 page is doing the machine work. Best upgrade ever. Took out all the slop and will last much longer.

Post by **wesk** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:12 am

How much longer? Most of the original equipment took the necessary beatings for 50 years. It will be at least 30 or 40 years before anyone can say this tapered bearing mod actually met the intended goal. Unless of course Bill or the CJ5 page guy are giving folks warranty cards with the new machine work!

Quick lesson here,

The straight roller bearings have been around for over 2 centuries. They work great, last a very long time because of a very light loading on the rollers. Their only issue is you cannot remove all the play.

Tapered roller bearings have only been with us half that time. They work great, but do not last as long because of the higher loads placed on the rollers and races. They solve the play issues which became annoying in modern smoother running vehicles but to do that they had to be loaded higher.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:20 am

Wes any time you can use better bearings the life will increase. I used a nos kit when I redid my jeep years ago. It only took about 5000 miles for it to weare out. I bet the new system lasts much longer. What is nice is no one can tell a change was made.

Same reason they are now making a tapered bearing kit for the transfer case. Now

Post by **wesk** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 12:49 pm

You can't compare apples to oranges and get an honest test result.

If you want an accurate long term test then start two jeeps off operated by a pair of siamese twins: one with a new Timken straight bearing and one with a new Timken Tapered Roller unit. Then 50 years from now tell us who the winner is.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:56 pm

50 years is a long time and Siamese twins are pretty rare. Me thinks some technology advancements are worth investigating and adopting? Especially if they keep these old trucks on the road ---- all the way until the day you can't buy gasoline anymore.....and that day will come.

Another example?....my TM says if a block is cracked then "replace it". Implies the old one goes to the scrap dumpster to be melted down. Hasn't block repair technology advanced today where plenty of folks are driving repaired blocks that would've gone to the scrap heap back then? I'm currently looking at and hoping for the exact same solution for mine. Either that, or one of them new-fangled Allied china-made blocks might be in my future.

Dang it, Wes. Did I say this out loud?

Post by **wesk** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:02 pm

Well since you missed the point entirely Ron let's try this.

My comments weren't painting new tech in a bad light. They were asking for a fair comparison of claimed longevity of the suggested part substitution.

As for your modern cast iron repairs, yes they have advanced over the years but cracked blocks still do Not fair very well on the longevity scale. The Layman's decision to move ahead with a repair attempt should be based on sound advice from a professional welding shop with a good reputation for quality welding and warranty backup.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:06 pm

Fair enough Wes. But Siamese twins and 50 years also isn't a very fair or realistic comment is it? You might've said bearing technology is worth investigating.......?

I'm pretty sure I didn't miss your point.

Post by **wesk** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:12 pm

An announcement that a tapered bearing conversion

and will last much longer.

(than his NOS that only lasted 5,000 miles) with no supporting test data is an entirely unsupported claim and considering the majority of these old jeeps managed to get thru 30 to 50 years with the same straight cut bearing I feel comfortable asking for a proper test period!

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:36 pm

By the way..........Merry Christmas to you Wes, and to all the other faithful in this wonderful forum!

I got my lump of coal a little early today while pulling my power pack........cracked an ear off the bell housing.......maybe I'll get lucky with an after-Christmas sale.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 12:33 am

Early or late bell?

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 1:53 pm

Early.