Hello Steve,

15 years outside in the weather is a long time. Options:

1. replace in kind with a new unit. Probably the most time effective and cost effective approach. The new one should last another 15+ years.

2. Soak the old unit in a solvent to loosen up all of the old grease and flush dirt out. Disassemble and inspect the bearings and bearing surfaces. This unit is foreign made so all hardware is probably metric, as are the ball bearings. Clean each ball bearing and inspect for out of roundness and pitting/corrosion. How does each bearing roll on a hard surface ? Replace all pitted bearings and all out of round. Good luck finding metric bearings, Yes, they are out there. Maybe Yaesu has a rebuild kit. Inspect the bearing surfaces for gouging and other wear. Assemble with all new parts. Be sure to grease all of the hardware threads. Do not expect the rebuilt old unit to be as mechanically tight as a new unit. Probably lots more sloppiness in the fit. After rebuild, is there is any binding no matter how light, condemn the unit.

As you can see, buying a new unit is the most cost effective and time effective alternative. I just replaced a ROHN TB3 thrust bearing on my main tower, with a new unit.

Good Luck with the project.

Stan, W1LE Cape Cod FN41sr

On 6/1/2011 8:19 AM, Stephen E. Belter wrote:

I have an Yaesu GS-050 thrust bearing that has been installed for about 15 years. The thrust bearing turns, but requires a lot of force.

I disassembled the thrust bearing to find that the grease is very sticky (think candy apple sticky), and not lubricative (if that is a word).

Should I take it to an auto repair shop and ask them to degrease and then lubricate similar to repacking a wheel bearing?

What kind of grease should be used?

Thanks and 73, Steve N9IP

Steve Belter

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Steve, I worked with bearings for many years as a Gyro overhauler and radar tech for Sperry. The bearings I worked with were all high quality and close tolerance. If you want to, you can remove the grease with a degreaser and repack. Unless it was used constantly spinning, I don't think it could be worn-Just weathered grease. If you go to an auto supply place, you will find the wheelpacking high temp type and it will work fine. Replacing the thrust bearing probably would be the best way to go. It shouldn't be bound up at all and free to rotate. It IS supposed to support the mast to alleviate pressure on the rotor. Your call since you are doing this. 73, Dee, NB2F

-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Stephen E. Belter Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 8:20 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Thrust bearing maintenance

I have an Yaesu GS-050 thrust bearing that has been installed for about 15 years. The thrust bearing turns, but requires a lot of force.

I disassembled the thrust bearing to find that the grease is very sticky (think candy apple sticky), and not lubricative (if that is a word).

Should I take it to an auto repair shop and ask them to degrease and then lubricate similar to repacking a wheel bearing?

What kind of grease should be used?

Thanks and 73, Steve N9IP -- Steve Belter

_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb