Pinion Location in Banjo

[flathead34]

I installed my restored pinion assembly into my '35 banjo. There is about a an1/8" gap between the pinion and the banjo housing. The pinion is all the way through the pilot bearing. Will this gap be a problem ?? The race is down into the banjo as far as it will go and into the banjo housing These pictures will show the end of the pinion gear and this gap. It shows up in the picture as being bright. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks Mike

 

[jimvette59]

Please remove what ever you have under the lock nut in the third picture.

 

[Bored&Stroked]

Hmmmmm . . . did you heat the case and freeze the pinion before reassembly? Are you the guy who assembled it?

I don't remember there being a "hard stop" in the case bore, so my guess is that the pinion was not pushed in far enough. I believe it "stops" when the pinion is all the way into the pinion snout bearing.

 

[flathead34]

jimvette 59: What was below the lock washers was the thrust washer. Picture of it removed is attached.

 

[flathead34]

I assembled the rear end. I froze the pinion assembly and heated the case. It went in with little pressure. <Mike

 

[Bored&Stroked]

Tell yah what, will checkout a couple banjos out in my shop (1934 models) - to see what I see with the pinion location - be back to this thread later.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

if the bearing race is made properly and flush with the face of the banjo it is in all the way

 

[Ken/Alabama]

Also be sure to use quality bearings and cups. Chineese made bearings will cause all sorts of headaches.

 

[jimvette59]

Is the bearing and race setup all 33 , 34 and where does the thrust washer go on a 33,34 setup. Does the 33,34 setup go in a 35 banjo? I will look into Van Pelts catalog. I looked at 33,34 10 spline and 35,48 pinion setups and near as I can figure is the Thrust washer for a 33,34 setup is supposed to be behind the pinion gear and the first bearing. It looks like the gear itself is tight up against the first bearing. I think you need to take it apart and install the thrust washer first. JMHO

 

[JM 35 Sedan]

Is the bearing and race setup all 33 , 34 and where does the thrust washer go on a 33,34 setup. Does the 33,34 setup go in a 35 banjo? I will look into Van Pelts catalog. I looked at 33,34 10 spline and 35,48 pinion setups and near as I can figure is the Thrust washer for a 33,34 setup is supposed to be behind the pinion gear and the first bearing. It looks like the gear itself is tight up against the first bearing. I think you need to take it apart and install the thrust washer first. JMHO

What you're describing/advising above is not correct based on the '35 - '40 banjo rears I've dismantled and rebuilt, unless I've totally misunderstood what you're saying. I've never rebuilt a '33 - '34 banjo rear, so I won't comment on those.

 

[Lawrie]

I have just installed a 3.78 into a 33 housing, there is a small gap between the edge of the gears and the roller bearing,
I you use NOS Ford pinion bearings, a stock 33/34 housing and FORD gears you will have no problems,I have done many In the last few months and using NOS Ford parts is the secret to an easy setup.
Lawrie

 

[35fordman]

I have the same problem putting 3.54 set in my 35. The problem is with the new pinion bearings. The cage of the bearing has to fit just inside the torque tube but the cage od on the new bearing is too big to allow this. The solution is to have a relief cut into the torque tube. I reinstalled my old parts in the banjo to make sure I was seeing this right. With the pinion sleeve fully seated in the banjo, the sleeve is just flush with the banjo and the cage of the bearing sits up above the banjo housing and must be inserted into the torque tube. I measured the old original Ford brg cage od at 2.750" the torque tube opening at 2.840 and the new cage at 2.865. I thought at first I didn't have the pinion assy fully seated and in attempting to reseat it, broke the banjo. lesson learned.

 

[JM 35 Sedan]

I have the same problem putting 3.54 set in my 35. The problem is with the new pinion bearings. The cage of the bearing has to fit just inside the torque tube but the cage od on the new bearing is too big to allow this. The solution is to have a relief cut into the torque tube. I reinstalled my old parts in the banjo to make sure I was seeing this right. With the pinion sleeve fully seated in the banjo, the sleeve is just flush with the banjo and the cage of the bearing sits up above the banjo housing and must be inserted into the torque tube. I measured the old original Ford brg cage od at 2.750" the torque tube opening at 2.840 and the new cage at 2.865. I thought at first I didn't have the pinion assy fully seated and in attempting to reseat it, broke the banjo. lesson learned.

With that pinion bearing situation....it sounds like your pinion gear teeth may not be located properly, and not meshing correctly with ring gear teeth.
I just finished rebuilding a 37-40 banjo rear using all original/NOS bearings, and did not have the same pinion bearing locating problem you and the op are having. I'll post a few pics of banjo center section with pinion and bearings pressed in place later today.

 

[jimvette59]

JM 35 sedan he is using a 33/34 pinion set up that includes the thrust washer in a 35 banjo. Please see 33/34 pinion set up. It's the only one with the thrust washer. It should not be confused with the " thrust washer that has the tab so it will not turn between the lock nut and the inner bearing race.