Opinion on sealed bearings.
 

What are the thoughts on sealed bearings at both ends of the gearbox?
I have use sealed bearings for some time with no problems, but I always wonder if some small leakage through the rear bearing would aid lubrication of the universal.
I have heard of some people taking one side of the seal off with the sealed side to the outside of the gearbox, but that again would not lube in any way the universal. I would consider that pointless with today’s quality bearings.
I have talked to bearing suppliers about sealed bearings in the Model ‘A’ gearbox and asked if the seals can be left in place, or if one side can be removed or both sides removed. They tell me that very similar sized sealed bearings are used on conveyor belts at stone crushing plants. They are in extremely dirty conditions under great loads. Used in a Model ‘A’ gearbox with both the seals in place, they would be just idling along, even under load.
My concern is the universal lubrication, or is greasing now and again sufficient?

Re: Opinion on sealed bearings.
 

My greatest concern is the lack of circulation for cooling the bearing.

Re: Opinion on sealed bearings.
 

HI: U shouldn't have sealed bearings in the Model A steering box u have to be able to re-grease them that is why there should be a grease zert on the steering box. Good luck reggiedog

Re: Opinion on sealed bearings.
 

I don't see why have sealed bearings in a transmission would ever cause any problems. Since the bearings are sealed and permanently lubricated, no small metal particles can get into the bearings and cause problems. I plan to use sealed bearing in my transmissions. Just my opinion.

Re: Opinion on sealed bearings.
 

I don't think that u should use sealed bearings in these cars there not meant to use them In the 30's they didn't have sealed bearings. And if they did I don't think that they would be used any way u are meant to grease the bearings in the tranny and all of the other places that have the bearings they are not sealed bearings for a reason. But u can put sealed bearings in what ever u want but I just wouldn't do it try it and see how fast your parts wear out from the lack of grease but as always it's your car do with as u want but I just wouldn't use them. But good luck reggiedog

Re: Opinion on sealed bearings.
 

It is likely that Ford designed the system to work with leakage.

As you pointed out the rear bearing feeds oil out into the U joint. The grease would pack around the U joint keeping the oil in the U joint.

The front is pointed up and has the long tube that holds the throwout bearing keeping the oil from going very far. The oil in the tube forms a sticky goop keeping what small amount of dirt that might get in from getting all way down.

Besides, sealed bearing are not sealed. They shielded bearings. They will leak oil into them and out the other side.

With the correct oil the system works. If you are putting some modern concoction in that is too thin then you will have more problems.

Re: Opinion on sealed bearings.
 

Sealed bearings in the steering box are fine. The steering box takes 600w oil anyways, not grease as you mentioned. The zerk style fitting is used as a plug, and unfortunately is a big misnomer!

Re: Opinion on sealed bearings.
 

There are sealed bearings and shielded bearings, two different animals. Sealed bearings have been around for many years and were used in farm equipment to keep dust, dirt and water out of the bearing. I suspect Ford did not use sealed bearings in the steering or transmission as it would have run up the cost to built a vehicle.

I have used sealed bearings in the steering and transmissions for many years and have not had any problems. I pump the u-joint full of grease in the beginning and check it about one time a year and find I have not had to add any more grease. When a u-joint is run without grease is what causes them to fail.

Ron

Re: Opinion on sealed bearings.
 

I used sealed bearings in my transmissions, and have driven the cars many miles with no problems. I suspect unsealed bearings would be fine if the transmission oil was changed as often as Ford specified, and rinsed with kerosene, as Ford specified, but how often were any of these transmissions rinsed and had new oil, and how often is it done today? Dirty oil, oil with metal chips from grinding the gears in a gear change, not only hurt the gears, they damage the bearings a lot more. That is why I used sealed bearings.

Re: Opinion on sealed bearings.
 

I have a sealed F150 transmission. I too am concerned about the u-joint lubrication and also the front driveshaft bearing. I have started using John Deer cornhead grease in the u-joint. Before that I used 600W and grease mixed. The cornhead grease gets thrown around and really keeps the u-joint , bearing, and speedo gears lubed.

There is a lot about this grease on the early v8 forum and HAMB. Good stuff.

John