Speed change control bearings

[universalgrl]

I have finally started working on my carrier again. Can any one please tell me the correct size of the ball bearings in the speed change control mechanism. The parts book only listes the bearing control as an assembly # CTL 150 SA illustration no. 22. I have 2 assemblys to restore one as a spare. One of the caps I had to cut one cap with a cut off tool to get it apart.

[Andrew Rowe]

I thought they ( balls )were about 5/16" dia., you can buy these at any bearing shop and they will just pop into the bronze cage. The internal surface of the housing needs to be perfect though .Cheers Andrew.

[Lynn Eades]

Roberta, can I suggest an alternative fix?
I see the bearing surface of your two shafts have suffered the effects of time and water.
What I have done with mine is made up a bearing from an industrial plastic, I made it so that it fills the housing and the gear change rod just slides through it. I did drill it so that it can be greased. It seems to work fine so far.

[universalgrl]

I think there was a sale on 5/16 bearings in 1942. My 42 WLC harley uses the same bearings for the neck. A piece of teflon rod stock would also do nicely.

[Perry Kitson]

Yes, 5/16" dia. balls were used in the races, I still have some kicking around from my Mk II restoration 25 years ago. Using an oil impregnated nylon is a good idea, but you should have the shafts machined smooth (or smoother). The rough surface will wear the plastic prematurely.

Perry

[Lynn Eades]

But then Perry, you run into the problem of the shaft being a smaller size where it bolts into the tube (you cant have a step)

[Lynn Eades]

I assume this is British??

[Perry Kitson]

I know this means more work, but you either machine up a split thin wall bushing to make up the difference, or you cut off the end of the shifting tube and weld on a new piece with the proper inside diameter to match the outside diameter of the reworked rod.

[universalgrl]

Since this is not a precision bearing but more of a slip and slide. I put it together with my harley neck bearings and greased the crap out of it with my new dewalt grease gun. I think its good to go.