Torque Tube Center Bearing

I have a '39 Ford truck torque tube and looking down inside, I can see a roller bearing about halfway down. There's a grease fitting on the outside of the torque tube for lubing this bearing. I've found numerous articles on removing the front bearing, race and seal from a Ford torque tube. But, I haven't found anything that mentions this center bearing. I don't know if it comes out the front or rear end of the tube. Any tips on removing this bearing would be greatly appreciated. The driveshaft is slightly pitted in the area that this bearing would roll on. Is it possible for a good machine shop to build up the pitted area of the driveshaft and machine it down to the correct specs?

 

Once you remove the grease zerk, the bearing can be pushed out. Use a long rod or pipe and something slightly smaller than the ID of the torque tube. The bearing is not held in very tight. It is mounted in rubber, and after decades of sloshing around in grease and oil, you'll find the rubber is more like mush. No worries though, as I haven't been able to find a replacement at any reasonable cost anyway, so I just clean it up as well as possible and put it back in. Not the best answer, but just a fact dealing with this old stuff.

 

There is a guy that does flathead water pumps (Skips Pumps) he has a replacement center bearing set-up, comes with instructions and everything you need. Its spendy, but does the job. Check the search on the "ford-barn" site, its been covered over there a lot. Good luck.

 

There is (was) a tool from K&N, that Ford used to remove / install those. The bearings are still available,..MAC Motors or Sacramento Vintage Ford is where I got new bearings.

4TTRUK

 

The KRW puller is functionally nothing more than a threaded rod, one cap that fits bearing, one that covers end of torque tube...it's better made than a pile of stuff from Home Depot, of course, but that will do the job.

 

Skip Hanee out of Florida does water pumps,coils,etc .....Skip does nice work.
Frenchy

 

I have a buddy who removed and left his out. What purpose did it really serve and will it hurt to run without.

 

The early torque tube driveshafts were tubular, up to about '36 or so, and they were short and rigid enough to be supported by the pinion at the rear and a bearing at the front. When they went to a solid driveshaft, which I think was also longer due to the increasing wheelbase of late '30s-and-up Fords, there was a danger of the shaft whipping about without the centre bearing. I wouldn't imagine Henry would have spent money on the bearing and associated parts unless it was necessary?

 

Yea, it's to keep the driveshaft from whipping inside the torque tube, If you're using a solid driveshaft, it needs to be there even if it's shortened... ask me how I know...

 

Thanks guys for the helpful info.