Info needed: Steering knuckle felt

[John Sek]

I had to disassemble the right front axle on my C15-a as the grease was more slime than grease. However now faced with the question of should I reuse the felt on the steering knuckle or where can I find a replacement or get one made up?

Suggestions?

[Bob Phillips]

If you cannot find the felt you might try this. I have used semi circular heavy foam rubber which I think was made to be hatch seal. It fits right into the groove (no flat spring needed) with the round side visible outside. It is squeezed against the steering ball and seems to work fine- in warm weather
Not sure how long it will survive. BP
cmpseal.jpg

[David Dunlop]

John.

Before foam rubber became so common, felt strips used to be the standard household door weatherstripping, sold at every local, corner, hardware store. Might be worth checking if it is still available somewhere.

David

[Lynn Eades]

John, Find a felt supplier and buy some high grade white felt (the correct thickness) then cut a couple of strips. If you can buy the right thickness, install it so that the factory surfaces are the working surfaces.
There is a steel spring that puts tension on the seal. Buy the correct grease for the hubs. Some greases are prone to the oil separating. You want one that doesn't do that. I cant remember the name of the stuff.
Your king pins are supposed to have a 0.005" (5 thou) preload on them.

If you wait a bit, I'm sure Bruce P. or Bob C. will chime in with the real info.

[gjamo]

Has anyone considered PTFE pump gland packing. Its available in lots of profiles and should outlast felt IMHO.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi John

I've been faced with finding a replacement on all three of my CMPs I went with leather belting material, as in drive belts for equipment, getting a little harder to find than when I first got it 39 years ago. But still find it at old tractor meets. Saddle, and harness makers could probably help as well.

Had the 1/4 thick leather belt cut to width then soaked it over night in motor oil and installed according to the manual. In lots of years it seems to have done a good job of keeping the ball surface bright and shinny the grease in and the dirt and water out. On the occasions that have had to take apart a wheel hub assembly I have not seen evidence of water or dirt entry on the inside. Always some evidence of grease on the outside but no lube leak problem.

If you can get the felt great get enough to do the job several times over and save the rest sealed in a plastic bag so you will have it the next time you need to pull the hub apart.

Cheers Phil