tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by weasel nut » Thu Nov 21, 2019 2:36 am

Thank you!
42 Chevy 125 Crash Truck from Dow AAFB, 44 Chevy 325 Crash Truck, 42 WC-54, 44 M29C Weasel, 45 CCKW 353 A2 Air-portable, 44 Case VAIW Tug, M-5 HST, 42 M-10 Ammo, Steel & Wood Ben Hur, 43 Sperry AA Searchlight, 41 Wehrmacht Trailer, PE-95G, PE-99B


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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by fahtal » Thu Nov 21, 2019 11:46 am

Sorry no special lubricants dealer in America. But they are happy to send it.

Shall I send you contact details?

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by weasel nut » Thu Nov 21, 2019 2:13 pm

Thank you for checking.

Please PM me the details.

Bill
42 Chevy 125 Crash Truck from Dow AAFB, 44 Chevy 325 Crash Truck, 42 WC-54, 44 M29C Weasel, 45 CCKW 353 A2 Air-portable, 44 Case VAIW Tug, M-5 HST, 42 M-10 Ammo, Steel & Wood Ben Hur, 43 Sperry AA Searchlight, 41 Wehrmacht Trailer, PE-95G, PE-99B

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by jeffl » Mon Nov 25, 2019 9:25 am

Type of axle gear oil

I saw early on that many suggested to stick with 90 wt GL-1 spec gear oil. That is what I used this season. I called a local supplier and asked about using GL4 and GL5 grades. I explained that I read online that the shear lubricants contain sulfur and phosphorous that attack yellow metals. He agreed but I don't see any of those metals in the axles so we discussed the GL4 and GL5 spec more. What we came too was that the GL4 and GL5 additives will want to hold more water. If we want to "decant" the water out of the axle then staying with GL-1 is much better solution as it does not want to mix as easy with water.

Others might have similar comments/experience but I will stay with GL-1 for next season (axles already refilled). They actually have a GL-1 85/90 wt in 5 gallon pails for $50 where I was paying $130 for valvoline before. GL-1 seem hard to get now that the industry has moved to the other grades. I just need a good 15 gallon drum to keep my hand pump steady.....

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by fahtal » Fri Mar 12, 2021 4:13 am

Update. Played allot last year with the dukw.

Checked the bearings this year and they all look fine. so we will use them another year(3rd)

With the marine grade grease we could do one year with the bearings. now we did 2 and arte going for 3.

the rear axle had some water intake. the grease color is of but looks like it still does it job.

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by fahtal » Fri Jan 21, 2022 1:21 am

So doing our chores for the next season.

the wheel bearings are going for season 4. to remind you before the eurol grease we replaced them every year...

the last few years we had overheating problems. Driving was ok but swimming with heavy load or warm days the temp was climbing to 210f especially in 3rd gear or with wheels engaged. but even sometimes in 2nd gear...

So after trying to fluch and clean the radiator with lemon acid. it didn`t help. although it looked like there was enough flow. last week we removed the radiator and water pump. We took the radiator to a specialist and he removed the top and bottom and told us it was blocked for 2/3 only the middle part was open. Also the pump circuit was faulty with rotten bolts. The radiator will get a new cooling sections with the original top and bottom. also the hole for the compressor shaft will also be radiator so we have more cooling surface.

Making use of the already removed parts we pulled the engine because it was leaking. the rear seal cord shrinked and the bottom seal could be more professional.

here are some pictures

Oh and the front engine mount was broken in bits


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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by jeffl » Sat Jan 22, 2022 1:41 pm

Love the photo viewing the engine from the compressor well. There is so much room.......

It looked good under the bearing cap, did you have a concern there?

Our stock radiator never gave an issue with hours on the water, maybe running 185F max on hot days (85 deg ambient). With your new core your's should work perfect!

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by fahtal » Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:23 pm

jeffl wrote:
Sat Jan 22, 2022 1:41 pm


It looked good under the bearing cap, did you have a concern there?
No concerns. But the engine was leaking. And we were suspicious about that seal and we were right. The seal shortend over the years so there was a gap of 12mm.

Hopefully now we have less oil down below

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by fahtal » Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:35 am

While the engine and gearbox are out we are also changing all the bearings from the prop axl. And the prop also got some attention.


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After our holiday adventure the prop had some serious dings and some blades weren't aligned. Now it looks like new.

Cost 225 euro

Can't wait to go swimming again

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by fahtal » Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:20 am

With our last swim the fiber camshaft gear broke.. resulting in bended valves... what turned into a engine overhaul... then we got lucky and a crate engine came online for sale. it wasn`t cheap but the timing was great. it is an 270 from 1959 it has the aluminium camshaft gear. Our old engine had some overheating problems we could`t resolve with the new radiator en waterpump so we hope this investment will solve some old stubborn problems.

here are some pics.

First we made a adjustment to the new engine.
To get to the timing section with the camshaft gears you nromaly have to drop the carter. what is quite difficult in a dukw. But if you weld som nuts on the inside you can remove the timing lid without dropping the carter. no pics after the adjustment.


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we put in the engine with the gearbox attached. doing it like this the engine needs toe be tilted in different angles. we made a custom motor rig with a winge(the blue thing) so we can tilt it front to back and side ways.

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by fahtal » Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:54 am

Maintenance update.

Rear axle had 50/50 water and oil inside.

A speedi sleeve was worn by the sand and water this happens every 2 to 3 years.

The grease was still good and de bearings are still going strong after 5 years. Still black as mentioned in the opening post.

Further no problems.


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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by 70th Division » Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:24 am

fahtal wrote:
Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:20 am
With our last swim the fiber camshaft gear broke.. resulting in bended valves... what turned into a engine overhaul... then we got lucky and a crate engine came online for sale. it wasn`t cheap but the timing was great. it is an 270 from 1959 it has the aluminium camshaft gear. Our old engine had some overheating problems we could`t resolve with the new radiator en waterpump so we hope this investment will solve some old stubborn problems.

here are some pics.

First we made a adjustment to the new engine.
To get to the timing section with the camshaft gears you nromaly have to drop the carter. what is quite difficult in a dukw. But if you weld som nuts on the inside you can remove the timing lid without dropping the carter. no pics after the adjustment.


Image

Image

we put in the engine with the gearbox attached. doing it like this the engine needs toe be tilted in different angles. we made a custom motor rig with a winge(the blue thing) so we can tilt it front to back and side ways.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Hello,

Wow that is a nice engine you found to swap out the old engine !!
Well done !!
This is a great post on DUKW maintenance and repair.
It will be a couple years before I can start the restoration process on my DUKW but is is always great to have technical information to help out
along the way.
I did find a rebuilt crated DUKW engine here in the USA, to put in the DUKW as it is missing its engine.

Keep up your excellent work and keep us posted .


Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by fahtal » Fri Feb 17, 2023 7:18 am

Thank you!

Would love to see your restoration in the future!

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by 70th Division » Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:03 pm

fahtal wrote:
Fri Feb 17, 2023 7:18 am
Thank you!

Would love to see your restoration in the future!
So will I :D :D !!

Keep 'em Rolling !!

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: tech topic Dukw wheel bearings, seals, grease, speedy sleeves, axle upgrade

Post by fahtal » Thu Apr 27, 2023 9:13 am

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Kings bday in the Netherlands


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