APRIL 1998

Removing stuck packing

Problem: A piece of packing at the very back of a stuffing box has been ignored because no one could dig into it to get it out. A removal tool was broken trying to remove it. Now it has really hardened.

Solution: Take the broken packing removal tool and braze a drill bit to the end of it. You can now easily drill into the packing and gain a purchase with a packing hook or a new removal tool (the one you had to get anyway). Keeping this extra tool in your packing kit means that the next time packing gets stuck, you won't have to leave it for the next guy to worry about.

(For those of the Tim Taylor persuasion, the handle of the tool can be ground off and the new flexible bit extension can be used in your 4 hp cordless drill.)

Thanks for this tip--and the wry sense of humor--go to John Zumbrunn, Maintenance Service Worker, Alberta Public Works, Michener Centre, Red Deer, Alta. He'll also be receiving a Mr. O Problem Solver T-shirt.

Preventing bearing loss from cage damage

Problem: Bearing cage damage can shorten the useful life of bearings. How do you tell if a cage is bent, and what's the best way to avoid the problem?

Solution: According to experts at The Timken Company, because cages are so susceptible to damage, great care must be exercised at all times during bearing installation and removal. Simply dropping a bearing on the floor can lead to cage damage that can dramatically shorten service life.

Because cages are not load-carrying,  mild strip steel is commonly used to produce them. However, they also are made with precise tolerances and clearances to allow all bearing components to work uniformly. It doesn't take much damage to end the life of a bearing. Any visible damage or cage bending renders the bearing as scrap, although larger bearings can be re-caged.

If you suspect a cage is bent but aren't sure, place the cone assembly in the cup and slowly rotate it by hand. A visual bend, flat or follower skidding indicates a potentially bent cage.

To help maintain cage integrity, you should follow these tips suggested by Timken:

• always use cup and con drivers when installing bearings
• only drive cups and cones through faces
• never press through the cage
• allow cage clearance for the application
• never drop a bearing on the cage
• never try to straighten a bent cage.