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OK, so I got my bellcrank repair kit with nice new (USA!) bearings, shiny inner race ("spacer"), bearing seals, shaft and washers, nuts and bolts, and I have the exploded view on p. 48 of TM9-1804B, power train, body and frame for M38, but what I don't have are "SEAL, ru, 1-5/32ID , 1-5/8 OD, 5/16 thk (steering bellcrank bracket)", WO-801566 (ORD 9 p. 267) nor a SPRING, tension seal (steering bellcrank), WO-801666 (ORD 9 p. 269), items 7 and 6, respectively, in Figure 24 of TM9-1804B, nor can I find those items available from any of the online vendors. These parts aren't shown in Ryan's reference manual, either. I see a shoulder on the underside of the bellcrank bracket (clamp) that looks like the place where these parts should reside. It sure seems like there should be a seal there, between the stationary bracket and the rotating bellcrank. I could cut a piece of rubber sheet to the dimensions listed in the ORD 9 description, and I found a disc spring washer in McMaster-Carr, item 94065K84, that might work though the OD is oversize. What are you other folks using for a seal here?

Also, I'm deducing that the needle bearings get pressed into the bellcrank, deep enough from each face to allow room for the narrow seals on each end of the spacer/inner race. Correct?

Jim

Jim, just did this on mine. I was lucky and re-used the old seal. Not too high tech a seal. I would find a piece of gas filler hose or radiator hose and cut a ring off that just fits the gap and ID. They should provide it with the kit, but maybe it is unavailable anymore. If you find a source for it let us know. John

PS, I used a socket and tapped the needle bearings and races in since the bellcrank was installed on the ball. I put them in just enough for the thin seals to be flush. All was fine. Hard to believe just how far up and down it used to move. Now at 110 MPH I'll be able to keep it on the track John

Thanks, John.

Here's a picture of the one that came on my M38A1. Thw WO#'s are the same for both the seal & spring in the 38 & 38A1.



The spring is a ring shaped coil spring that goes around the seal to hold it tight.