Fan Hub Wobble

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
User avatar

Topic author
paddy1998
Posts: 190
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2019 4:28 pm
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Delaney
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922/23 Touring
Location: Joliet, Illinois
MTFCA Number: 50356

Fan Hub Wobble

Post by paddy1998 » Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:33 pm

My 23ish Touring had what I would describe as a severe fan hub wobble; it was really flopping all over the place.

Being a lazy, lazy man I tried giving it about 15 pumps of Red N Tacky on the grease gun. That seemed to firm it up pretty good so I was very happy with myself.

As you are surely aware, that fix lasted about 5 minutes and threw a bunch of grease all over everything, including me when I poked my face in there to get a look at it running

Plus, there's the still the wobble.

So I took the hub apart and cleaned the parts. What I have is shown in the picture.

Everything looks pretty good, almost new or at least newer. Certainly not worn. But . . .

. . . isn't that front bushing supposed to be flanged? And if so, could that bushing sliding backward on the shaft have been the cause of the dreaded wobble?

Also, just out of curiosity why is there a hole in the shaft?

Thanks!
Attachments
IMG_20200721_202622.jpg

User avatar

Squirrel
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 9:54 pm
First Name: Jim
Last Name: Forbes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Coupe
Location: Sierra Vista AZ
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by Squirrel » Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:44 pm

newbie comments, since I just went through the same thing...

the bushings are press fit in the hub. They are the same, both have a flange. The hole is for the oil to get where it needs to go.

Now, the experts can chime in

User avatar

RajoRacer
Posts: 4308
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Tomaso
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
Location: Longbranch, WA
MTFCA Number: 14972
MTFCI Number: 15411
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by RajoRacer » Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:49 pm

Yes, there should be a flange on both bushings. The whole in the shaft is for lubrication BUT originally, that hub would have had a plug in it where one would have pumped in 600 wt. oil - I'm assuming there is now a zerk fitting there.

User avatar

Squirrel
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 9:54 pm
First Name: Jim
Last Name: Forbes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Coupe
Location: Sierra Vista AZ
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by Squirrel » Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:26 pm

How full should the reservoir be filled?


Allan
Posts: 5205
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by Allan » Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:54 pm

That fan hub is for the later style fan with the plug for oiling. The shafts with the hole are for earlier fans with a greaser at the back for lubrication.
There should be a gasket between the fan blade and the fan pulley at the front, and a felt washer at the rear between the hub and the cupped washer.
When assembled, the shaft should screw up hard against the shoulder on the shaft, the castle nut being just a locknut. If this seizes the fan on the shaft, the bushes need to be faced until the fan turns freely. Some cheat by not winding the shaft up against the shoulder, and relying on the locknut to hold the shaft at the right depth in the fan arm.
I have rarely found a fan hub where the bushes are not worn. Having to remove the plug to oil the assembly means the operation is often passed over, and worn bushes are the result. Check the shaft too.

Hope this helps,
Allan from down under.

User avatar

Topic author
paddy1998
Posts: 190
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2019 4:28 pm
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Delaney
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922/23 Touring
Location: Joliet, Illinois
MTFCA Number: 50356

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by paddy1998 » Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:58 pm

RajoRacer wrote:
Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:49 pm
Yes, there should be a flange on both bushings. The whole in the shaft is for lubrication BUT originally, that hub would have had a plug in it where one would have pumped in 600 wt. oil - I'm assuming there is now a zerk fitting there.
Yes, there is a zerk fitting there. Seems to me that those bushings would be better served by the heavy oil as opposed to grease. At least that was how we lubricated the bushings in the go$%#mned trunions on the old Triumphs.

I just assumed grease because of the zerk fitting. Looks like I can pick up a plug for $0.65 from Birdhaven.

Might as well get two. :lol:

Thanks!

User avatar

Mark Nunn
Posts: 1105
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:01 am
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Nunn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: Bennington, NE
MTFCA Number: 50321
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by Mark Nunn » Wed Jul 22, 2020 8:28 am

Martynn's drawing in the gallery may help if you have not already seen it.

app.php/gallery/image/1126

User avatar

DanTreace
Posts: 3299
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Treace
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
Location: North Central FL
MTFCA Number: 4838
MTFCI Number: 115
Board Member Since: 2000
Contact:

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by DanTreace » Wed Jul 22, 2020 8:51 am

Ford Owner's Manual
IMG_2136 (700x236) (700x236) (700x236) (640x216).jpg


Fill to brim of the opening. 600W is good for this.
IMG_3004 (1024x768).jpg
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford

User avatar

RustyFords
Posts: 1554
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:16 am
First Name: Don
Last Name: Allen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
Location: Houston, TX
MTFCA Number: 50001

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by RustyFords » Wed Jul 22, 2020 11:29 am

I took the even lazier man's route and bought the modern version with the sealed bearing.

The new/clean aluminum look didn't really seem at home with my weathered car so I painted the exposed parts flat black.
1924 Touring

User avatar

John Warren
Posts: 1069
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Warren
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14 Roadster, 25 Pickup , 26 Canadian Touring , and a 24-28 TA race car
Location: Henderson, Nevada

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by John Warren » Wed Jul 22, 2020 11:09 pm

Scott, while you are at it look the fan over closely. They crack close to the screw holes. I threw a blade on my race car and luckily it didn't get the radiator. On examination, all of the blades were cracked.
24-28 TA race car, 26 Canadian touring, 25 Roadster pickup, 14 Roadster, and 11AB Maxwell runabout
Keep it simple and keep a good junk pile if you want to invent something :P

User avatar

Duey_C
Posts: 1518
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:28 pm
First Name: Duane
Last Name: Cooley
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 18 Runabout, 24 Runabout for 20yrs, 25 TT, late Center Door project, open express pickup
Location: central MN
MTFCA Number: 32488
Board Member Since: 2015

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by Duey_C » Thu Jul 23, 2020 12:52 am

Excellent question. Excellent information!
Since I lost my mind mind, I feel more liberated


John Codman
Posts: 1182
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:27 am
First Name: John
Last Name: Codman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Youring
Location: Naples, FL 34120

Re: Fan Hub Wobble

Post by John Codman » Thu Jul 23, 2020 10:43 am

RustyFords - I did the same, and I would do it again. I also agree with John Warren. When I changed the pulley, I found a bad crack in the fan. Lang's had a new fan that is a perfect repro of the original.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic