How To: C15a Wire-3 restoration

[Jordan Baker]

Waiting for a number of parts orders to arrive and for spring to get here (can’t come soon enough). I removed the rear hub to start breaking it all down to individual components. New bearings, seals, pads, wheel cylinders and drums skimmed are in line to be done.

[Lynn Eades]

Jordan, I'd just clean it up those balls with a bit of emery tape.

[Bob Carriere]

Hi jordan

At least your rear drum was nice and dry with no leaks....

On the front axle..... did you get new NOS felts from LWD.... or are you making your own........ which ever you use you might want to consider oiling them very well by soaking...... I used the thick chain oil....... warm up the oil in a cake pan....... don't let Vicky catch you...... the oil will get thinner....... and do this outside...... thin out the oil with some acetone..... squish the felt until really soaked ......cover and let it turn thick again..... wipe excess and install.

The surface rust on the ball ..also called the eggcup in mixed company.... can be buffed out with ajax powder and a wet 3M pad.

I also found that the syringe needle that fits on your grease gun....they sell them at Tractor supply....will fit nicely inside the roller bearings and you can really pack them in easier and use less wasted grease.

Your hands will be soft as silk when that job is done.

[Jordan Baker]

Front steering knuckles have all been cleaned up and I’ve begun painting them.

[Jordan Baker]

Rear brake drums/hubs and the rear brake backing plates came back from the sandblasters. I’m always impressed with the quality that is done by the guy I use.

I also got a nice care package from LWD Parts.

[Phil Waterman]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Rear brake drums/hubs and the rear brake backing plates came back from the sandblasters. I’m always impressed with the quality that is done by the guy I use.

I also got a nice care package from LWD Parts.

Hi Jordan

The picture at the bottom of the care package , showing the Felt Ball Seals, to add to the CMP knowledge base could you take a photo of the end and take some measurement along with the length measurements?

Enjoying watching your progess.

Cheers Phil

[Grant Bowker]

From the felts that Bob Carriere bought years ago from Dirk, there is a strip of rubber with felt laminated to each side. It is quite possible that plain felt strips could work but I have no experience with this. I suggest caution when Bob says to thin the oil you soak the felt in before installation with acetone - I don't know but can imagine the acetone attacking the rubber layer.
If anyone plans to make their own seals of pure felt, keep in mind that there are multiple grades of industrial felt (variable hardness and absorbency) some better than others for holding lubricant or resisting rubbing.... I also suggest using a factory (or cut to the same standard) edge against the ball and any rougher cut edge in the groove of the housing. Smoothest edge against the ball for a better seal. Alternately, if you can get the exact thickness needed and cut strips off a sheet, put the thickness perpendicular to the ball and neither cut face acting to seal on the ball. These are suggestions based on thought, not experience.