Whitlock Cobra 5R Jammed

[Laysula]

Looking at the assembly pic and the video, it seems that the black seal is more of a cover for the circlip. Its probably a standard size available from most bearing suppliers. The bearings are sealed anyway. If the bearings feel rough then they will need to be changed as they are likely to fail, probably at some awkward moment. The seal has to come out to remove the circlip and then the shaft and the bearings should push out. The ones in the video look to be a bit loose on the shaft and the housing so it's possible that some bearing fit has been used to take up the slack. A bit of heat may help, or you could take the assembly to a garage with a workshop and ask them to press it out. Once it's out, take the bearings, seal and circlip to an engineering or bearing supplier and replace the lot.

 

[Martin_J]

The black seal is a cover, but with the one in my video and photos, I think the rings within the seal had rusted causing them to expand and break out through the seal.

I seem to remember using a couple of self tapping screws into the seal in order to pull it out.

The bearings were not easy to push in individually but I found that by resting one in place, it was the pushing of the shaft (with a bearing on it) through from the other side, that was what lined the whole lot up and enabled them to slide into place.

As you say, it was a standard size seal. Looks like it says 200 100 25 on it.

 

[Laysula]

Yes. Do ask for a seal with a stainless steel spring.

 

[Loopy]

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I seem to remember using a couple of self tapping screws into the seal in order to pull it out.

Thanks for that suggestion. A pilot hole, a screw, and some convincing to with a slide hammer and it popped off.

...revealing the rusty circlip that now doesn't want to come off.

 

[Martin_J]

I have a set of circlip pliers for that task. You see them at he beginning of the video. Places like Screwfix have set of four... two bent and two straight, with an external (that pulls apart) and an internal (that squeezes together) of each type.

I prefer the sets where you get four complete pairs of pliers rather than the type with ends that somehow clip on.

Much safer on fingers than struggling with ordinary pliers or screwdrivers. Less chance of damage as well... and more chance of keeping the circlip from flying off (and maybe even saving your eyes from being hit by it).

 

[Laysula]

Use an old screwdriver at a shallow angle in the gap between the circlip ends and tap it gently with a hammer to rotate it around the shaft to break the seal before you use the circlip pliers.

 

[Loopy]

I appreciate all the help. The application of Seafoam Deep Creep over about a 12 hour period, using the screwdriver at a shallow angle to break the circlip lose, followed by the use of external circlip pliers to take it off worked.

However, how to get the bearings and pinion out of the housing?

 

[Loopy]

Any ideas on how to get the bearings, pinion, and brake horseshoe out of the housing? I've been hitting it with Deep Creep to address potential corrosion issues I can't see, but can't seem to get the innards out of there.

 

[Martin_J]

I think you can see my method in post #18.

I would have let a penetrating fluid soak in for a good number of days beforehand.

I seem to remember the bearings just appearing gradually, like in the photo.

 

[Martin_J]

I know it needs to be done carefully. It's an expensive casting.

 

[Loopy]

I know it needs to be done carefully. It's an expensive casting.

Yeah. Those parts pictured in #18 are about a third of the cost of an entire new pedestal and mechanicals! Thanks. I'll give the gear puller a shot.

 

[Laysula]

If your worried about the casting, your probably better of to go to an engineering workshop and get them to press it out into a piece of tube which will give a lot more support than a puller.