Bearing retraction

[rogtwo@aol.com]

Scott,

Please don't stop suggesting alternate parts. While I thankfully don't need
transmission parts at this time, being a brand-new Amphicar owner, I'm very
interested in alternate parts. Here's my contribution:

I'm using the steering rack boot of a Volkswagen Eurovan for the drive-shaft
boots on my car. The rubber in these boots is not reinforced, so I don't
know how well they will holdup, but they look good and fit fairly well. The
VW part number is 7D0-419-831 and I paid about $12 each for them at the VW
dealer.

A couple of notes about how I installed them. First, I cut out the small end
of the boot (this is fairly obvious when you look at one). Second, I put a
somewhat flexible plastic sleeve over the spring. I did this to keep the
corrugations of the boot from getting in-between the coils of the spring. I
feared the boot might get pinched by the spring. Also, if the boot were to
shift significantly off center (which it might if it worked between the
coils) it would cause the shaft to be off balance. Finally, I just used two
plastic wire ties at each end of the boot to seal it to the axle. I'm not
sure if this is the best idea.

So anyway Scott, please don't be too disappointed by the replies to your
suggestion. I think others had legitimate concerns about the fitness of the
bearing you found for the application you suggested. Please just take these
comments as other peoples best advice (from their point of view). And keep
submitting suggestions. They are appreciated.

Roger

PS - I plan to enter my above boot suggestion to Amphicar.net's Parts Tips
page as soon as I have time.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

 

[scott]

I'm by no means trying to put down Hugh. I appreciate all that he has done and
is doing to keep things working.

But!

I've been told that Gordons is not selling transmission parts any longer. Then
I'm told that if you call and talk directly to Hugh you can still get some
stuff.

What's a guy to do?

Tell you what I do, I go looking myself. It's amazing what is out there.
Windshields under $300, stainless front bumpers, fiber glass parts. All it takes
is someone to do the research, or front the time and money. Then we can just
pick up the phone and order the parts. I have always considered it a help to
Hugh if I find parts.

I guess in the future, I'll keep what I'm doing to myself.

Scott Moses
Not mad, just disappointed


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

 

[Daniel & Kathy Gibson]

scott wrote:
>
> I'm by no means trying to put down Hugh. I appreciate all that he has done and
is doing to keep things working.
>
> But!
>
> I've been told that Gordons is not selling transmission parts any longer.
Then I'm told that if you call and talk directly to Hugh you can still get some
stuff.
>
> What's a guy to do?
>
> Tell you what I do, I go looking myself. It's amazing what is out there.
Windshields under $300, stainless front bumpers, fiber glass parts. All it takes
is someone to do the research, or front the time and money. Then we can just
pick up the phone and order the parts. I have always considered it a help to
Hugh if I find parts.
>
> I guess in the future, I'll keep what I'm doing to myself.
>
> Scott Moses
> Not mad, just disappointed
>

Scott,

Speaking for myself, I love posts where alternative parts are found. I
think it is cool that someone has gone through this much trouble for a
40 year old orphan car...regardless of who that person is. Keep up the
good work!

Dan

 

[Ed Price]

----- Original Message -----
From: scott
To: amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2003 5:19 PM
Subject: [amphicar-lovers] Bearing retraction


I'm by no means trying to put down Hugh. I appreciate all that he has done and
is doing to keep things working.

But!

I've been told that Gordons is not selling transmission parts any longer.
Then I'm told that if you call and talk directly to Hugh you can still get some
stuff.

What's a guy to do?

Tell you what I do, I go looking myself. It's amazing what is out there.
Windshields under $300, stainless front bumpers, fiber glass parts. All it takes
is someone to do the research, or front the time and money. Then we can just
pick up the phone and order the parts. I have always considered it a help to
Hugh if I find parts.

I guess in the future, I'll keep what I'm doing to myself.

Scott Moses
Not mad, just disappointed


Scott:

I think I'm in full agreement with you. While having Gordon Imports is a great
resource, I also believe nobody should act like a pirate. Sure, it's nice if you
have 20 oddball bearings squirreled away, and are now selling them for $300
apiece. Some people may even demand an original part, if just for the purity of
their vehicle. But supply won't last forever, and I think it's incumbent on us
all to search for modern substitutes whenever we can.

If SKF has a better bearing, at $35, I want to use it. Without modifying the
appearance of my Amphi, I expect to use the latest developments in hoses, oil,
valves, grease, gaskets, etc. That Lucas generator and regulator are gonna go!
In 1960, we expected 15k miles out of a set of bias ply tires; now we expect 55k
miles from a radial set. If there's a smarter choice for any part, my view is
that I'd much rather have a reliable vehicle than an original vehicle.

One of the wonderful things about the small Amphi community is how people have
come forward with substitute parts for stuff that is in such short supply. It
might be a cross-reference to a commercial bearing, a way to make another
manufacturer's part fit an Amphi, or a brand-new body panel. Because the market
is so small, nobody is going to get rich doing this. I wouldn't care if one of
us takes a reference to a commercial part, buys 50 of them, marks them up 50%,
and then offers them as guaranteed Amphi replacement parts.

Nobody should disparage this exploration. If somebody would rather buy an
original part, fine. As for me, I urge you to continue posting everything you
find.

Regards,

Ed
El Cajon
67 Rust Guppy


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

 

[Mike Israel]

Re: Re: Bearing retraction

IMHO there are a few parts that I would not want to
try saving money on. The drive-shaft boots are near
the top of that list.

Should one of those boots let go, or fail in a big
way, there is not a bilge pump large enough to save
your Amphi. (And this assumes that like any smart
owner that you actually have two bilge pumps!).

If you do not know how well they will hold up I
suggest that you not use them. The original style
boots are exceptionally durable.

Mike I.


--- rogtwo wrote:
> ... Here's my contribution:
>
> I'm using the steering rack boot of a Volkswagen
> Eurovan for the drive-shaft boots on my car.
> The rubber in these boots is not reinforced,
> so I don't know how well they will holdup, but
> they look good ...



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