1000 Triple Counterbalance Shaft

[catthunder]

I remember reading some posts that recommend packing the bearings on the counterbalance shaft with grease. I have the lower end of my '98 T-Cat apart now to replace the PTO end bearings on the crank. The bearings on the counterbalance shaft are open bearings. It looks to me like lubrication is supplied through the slot for the counterbalance shaft drive gear and another slot on the other side of the crankcase. There is residual oil in the counterbalance cavity and the shaft spins smoothly. What would you do? An exchange shaft with new bearings is $350.

The engine has 4,000 miles on it and the cylinder walls and pistons look like new--no scuffs, scratches, etc. I plan to have the PTO end crank bearings replaced and am thinking of leaving the rings on the pistons instead of honing the cylinders and putting on new rings. Opinions please.

Thanks

 

[thebigtreeman]

Couple of ideas

You can probably get a CB shaft for cheaper. Check the ZRT board on Hardcoresledder. There are lots more ZRT/Tcat guys there that can locate cheap parts for you. There's a guy on there that was able to get one for $125 exchange.

With that being said, you should be able to get a lot of miles out of that CB shaft. I know people who have regularly gotten 7K miles out of their CB shaft. They just kept an eye on those darn waterpumps that tend to leak. Is there pitting on the shaft? The outside bearing is normally the first to go.

Is/Was your waterpump leaking? If it was, it's probably a matter of time before that outside bearing is shot. Whatever you do, replace that waterpump while you have everything apart. The waterpump is typically the root cause of that CB shaft end bearing failing.

This thread may have some useful information for you. http://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=223080&hl=water+pump+shaft+replacement

Tim

 

[thekrust]

At 4000mi. I would change the pistons and rings, It's a good insurance policy. Even though they look good those pistons are tired and worn. I would leave the counterbalance shaft alone if it looks good and put new seals in eveything else. Have Fun!

 

[thebigtreeman]

One more thing...at a minimum, make sure you check the piston skirts. Most guys replace them at 5K miles due to cracking.

 

[catthunder]

Thanks for the quick responses. Waterpump seals are soft and there is no evidence of leakage, but will be replaced along with counterbalance shaft bearings. What do you guys know about packing these with grease? There is no evidence of grease in these bearings now and it wouldn't last long with the fuel mixture in the crankcase.

Crank bearings are $70 each X 7 for $490. Add labor, and I'll have $700 in the crank alone..

 

[Spud]

get ahold of Cutlers, they have LW short-shafts with bearings for $150

 

[thebigtreeman]

Did you price a rebuilt shaft from Cat? I would shop around for some more prices.

Regarding the grease, IIRC, the bearings are lubricated by the gas/oil mixture. I believe that we dumped 2 stroke oil when we redid it before. Some people put a grease fitting on the pto side seal for summer/spring storage. I think that if you packed it with a lot of grease you would end up running that thick lube through the engine. Can someone confirm this for this guy?

I was told that this guy has some Cat parts. WGuckian@williams-int.com

Shoot him an email and see what you can find. A guy on the ZRT board just bought some cat engine parts from him.

Tim

 

[Stanowski]

i took the oil injection off my 01 t-cat when i rebuilt the motor, another place for good parts is http://www.crracingcanada.com/
they always got something layin around just ask for chad if you call them, phone number is on the site

 

[MaineSled]

Once your squared away with your counter balance shaft this is a trick I read about on HCS - It is installing a zerk fitting on your engine case so you can occasionally give your counter balance shaft a squirt of grease to help greatly increase bearing life.As the motor heats the grease spreads so only one zert fitting is installed centrally, I did the modification it is easy-and can also be done with motor in sled,I did it that way I just had to take exhaust off - I forget which forum, Its either the general AC forum or zrt/thundercat ALSO check the zr/zl forum as a lot of posts from the zrt/t-cat forum are still in there from before the split in forums.

 

[catthunder]

The zerk fitting would be easy with the crankcase apart. I can't see, however, how you could cover all five counterbalance shaft bearings with one zerk--or even five zerks. How does the grease get into the bearing races unless you pack them by hand? It would be nice if the bearings had a hole in the outer race so you could force grease into where it's needed, but there is no hole.

When I disassembled my crankcase, there was no grease, only 2-cylce oil in the counterbalance shaft bearings. I'm sure it washes out fast with fuel flow and heat.

 

[thebigtreeman]

I looked back on some info I have and Cat says to use Cat grease upon reassembly. As mentioned, some are placing a zerk on for the last bearing to hopefully stave off any moisture/condensation from a leaky water pump. The zerk does not cover the other bearings. Those are just packed upon reassembly and according to Cat, do not need regular greasing.