Cylinder Bearings
I’m reasonably new to mower restoration and would like to discuss bearings 
in particular “cylinder bearings”.
The uploaded image is a cylinder bearing from a Ransomes Ajax Mk 5, I have named the parts for reference purposes but the main focus is with respect to the bearing itself.The bearing configuration as I understand it to be is a “self-adjusting bearing”. I have a couple of questions regarding its removal and serviceability.
1,This particular bearing had to be “levered” from the cylinder, I don’t have a pulley and used a large screw driver instead.Is it normal for this bearing to be difficult to remove.
2,The bearings themselves are worn, can the bearings be removed and replaced, if so what is the best way to remove them without damaging the housing.
Many thanks.
Forums
http://simplybearings.co.uk
http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_d…
As wristpin say the bearings are indeed off the shelf units and are not regarded as a serviceable unit. The link above is posted as an example to you of what you are looking for, you probably would not choose to use the genuine RL5 bearing due to its high cost however the NLJ 5/8 equivalent will do the job. I would advise though to try not to use what is known as an unbranded bearing, due to slack manufacturing tolerances I have found them to be unreliable in this situation due to movement of the cylinder.
Hello wristpin thanks very
Hello wristpin thanks very much for running through the process and for explaining the purpose of the self-aligning bearing, hadn’t considered that.
Hello Hillsider many thanks for the link and advice.
First post as a new member. I
First post as a new member. I'm working on an Ajax MK4 and have come to a grinding halt on the cutter bearing replacement. I've managed to remove them from the cutter cylinder but now have to get the dust cap off, so that I can replace the bearing with new ones sourced from Simply Bearings. Thanks for the link above.
Is the dust cap screw based or is it press/interference fit?.
Any assistance on the removal gratefully accepted.
The dust caps are a press fit
The dust caps are a press fit. With care ( remember that they are alloy castings) hold the carriers in the vice and use a pry bar or an old screw driver with a bent up end to lever the cap upward a bit at a time on alternate sides.
Many thanks wristpin. They
Many thanks wristpin. They are rusted on quite well, this may take some time.
Welcome.
Welcome.
Its quite usual for the bearings complete with their carriers to be reluctant to leave the shaft. A couple of tyre levers are my weapon of choice or purpose made pry bars. The trick is to position the ends of the lever near the outside of the bearing cover so that the pressure is dissipated on the more rigid part that is in turn supported by the carrier rather than pressing on the centre and distorting the cover.
When levering them off it's advisable to pivot the levers on the protruding ends of the blades rather than the flat area between them which is more easily distorted by the force needed to move stubborn bearings. It also gives a better mechanical advantage.
The bearing may be removed from the carrier either by tapping it out with a punch and hammer or preferably pushing it out using spacers and a bench vice. The latter is preferable as impact is not being transferred from the inner to outer race via the balls. That can result in brinelling ( denting) of the races which at the least will shorten their life.
The bearings themselves are a standard off the shelf self aligning item , RL 5 or LNJ 5/8, available at moderate cost from local bearing suppliers or internet firms such as Simply Bearings. Self aligning bearings are used to allow the cylinder to be adjusted to the bottom blade without setting up stresses.