MTFCA Forum

When I took apart the drive shaft to inspect it I found it has a Babbitt bearing in it at the ujoint. The Babbitt looks good and has no cracks, it is also tight in the tube, the ID is with in .010 of the shaft OD, the shaft has very little wear at the bearing surface and the thrust is with in .008. My question is do I need to replace it with a new bronze bushing or keep the Babbitt one? Thank You for any advice. Dan

Although not terrible, I would replace it whall you have it torn down. Fix it once right. .010 is twice what it should be. The thrust should be just enough to turn freely. (.002")
Comes down to usage. Putting for ice cream or multi hundred mile touring.

I have been using original Ford babbet bearings for over 60 years, and have never had a problem. I have enough originals to last me the rest of my life.

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 23, 2022 11:34 am

I have been using original Ford babbet bearings for over 60 years, and have never had a problem. I have enough originals to last me the rest of my life.

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Thank You for your input. Dan

I am not saying there is anything wrong with a Babbitt bushing. The amount or wear is the issue.

The amount of wear bothered me also, so while I am in there I am going to replace the bushing and take a fuzz cut off the shaft to clean it up. The pinion bearing had a spacer between the thrust bearing (old style thrust bearing) and a thin one between gear and bearing, the books do not show the thin one but it keeps the bearing from moving in the sleeve in and out much ( .015 movement), is this correct to have one? Thank You for your help. Dan

No shims. The hyatt bearing has quite a bit of room to float.
If using the late style thrust washers set, one can turn them over to get away from the wear where one runs against the inner sleeve. The later thrust washer set can be used in place of the earlier enclosed type.

The end float in the driveshaft is controlled by the bushing face on the bush at the bell. There are no shims anywhere in a standard fitting.

Rather than take a cut off the transmission to clean it up, I would use some fine abrasive paper to polish it. This will clean it up and leave a nice surface for a new babbit bearing. Gene French can supply a change-over ball cap with a bearing machined to the size you determine.

Hope this helps,
Allan from down under.