The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Just checked both front wheel bearings on my PM and neither of the castellated clamp nuts had a split pin securing it. I can screw the clamp nuts in untill the wheels lock and they are still not far enough in onto the spindle to get a pin in.I`ve checked and both sides are the same, is this common? I`ve been happily driving it for years like it is but I`m a bit uneasy now I know. Dave

Super Billy is currently the same with all new parts except the hubs. Just keep a check on the free play more frequently until you can get the split pins in (the new felt seals are enormous and take a while to compress). Make sure there's plenty of grease in there and that the nut clamp bolts are tight.
Sandy

Yes, the new seal is like twice the side.
I did cut it in half...
The split pins could be installed right away.

I like that idea, a bit late for Super Billy though. The thicker seal will last longer. Wish we could see a new Ford one.
Sandy

Chap I used to work for had a Triumph TR6 with felt seals on wheel bearings, he used to leave them to soak in oil for a week (makes them compress easier and stay compressed) and then press them between 2 thick bits of metal plate in the vice before fitting them

Another good idea. Might yet do that if we have issues.
Sandy

I have a query about the new felt seals.
I fitted the new seals felt side inwards, metal side outwards as per the manual instructions, and the clamp nuts can`t tighten up enough to fit a splitpin. I trimmed off about half the thickness of the felt seals and it hasn`t made any difference apart from leaving a 3-4mm gap between seal and hub. When turned around so the metal side is inwards ( the wrong way around according to the manual ) it slips on right up flush to the hub but the clamp nut still doesn`t do up past the split pin hole. I bought new seals from 3 different companies and they measure up as identical. I`ve checked the outer bearing shells are seated properly and the bearings fit into them. I bought imperial sized bearings and I tried the clamp nuts alone on the spindle and they screw all the way up the trhead.
It looks to me that the seal metal centres arn`t the same profile as the origonals but mine have long gone into the bin to compare with has anyone found the same?
One online forum mentioned rubber seals but I`ve never seen them and on the same forum it also stated to fit the felt inwards towards the hub as they are dust seals not grease seals.

There were never rubber seals for the wheels, that would be the spindle arms which changed with the Super Major (with felt seals leave 0.002" between the arm and extension, with rubber this becomes 0.025"). Super Billy is in the same state, the soaking in oil is probably the best thing to do as it will stop the seals getting stuck on the spindle and should allow them to reach a more acceptable thickness quicker. The dust ring as far as I remember is pretty accurate, but I didn't measure it (nor can I now, although I could look at an original one if needed). The felt must go on the spindle so it keeps dirt out, otherwise the bearing will fill with felt and dirt and fail quite soon. Just make sure the clamp bolt is tight and check the play often until the split pin will fit.
Sandy