Who sells a non-magnetic Oilite pilot bearing

[Gary R.]

Re: Who sells a non-magnetic Oilite pilot bearing

The magnetic ones are common today, the concern is for any potential of friction galling between the input and bushing. I have not seen that happen but I still won't use a magnetic bushing and rollerized ones will fail if the bell housing is not dead on concentric with the crank bushing.

Machining an oilite is easy however when you bore them you will close the pores and that may affect the lubricating action. On something like a steering box bushing, where the sector doesn't even spin 360* and no real RPM it doesn't matter but I wouldn't trust it on a input bushing.

[Mark B.]

Re: Who sells a non-magnetic Oilite pilot bearing

I wouldn't use the sintered iron after my experiences with the round HD floor fans. I run them 8+ hours a day everyday and after a year or 2 they start to squeak when running and don't turn as fast. When I tore one down out of curiosity I found a new style iron bushing that was dry and showed signs of dried lube. They get hot also.
You shouldn't use HSS tools on oilite as it closes the pores, we always ran carbide tools to modify "Bost-bronze"(sp) bushings. If you do enough cutting the heat will force the oil out so you need to soak it in oil afterwards. They ran in high speed machinery for years without failure after mods.

[Gary R.]

Re: Who sells a non-magnetic Oilite pilot bearing

I agree Mark, I have used Carbide to turn oilite and it still appeared to close the pores. Again depending on the application it may or may not be recommended.