Speedi-sleeve repair & splines

[Captain Ledd]

Trying to put new seals in a flail mower gearbox that used to have FELT seals.... Needless to say, things are pretty pitted up.

I've found the correct replacement repair sleeve diameters, but they say DO NOT INSTALL OVER SPLINES.

So does this mean I can't go past or over splines? or does it just mean my final resting place can't be over a spline?

I've never used one of these things before.

Splines are pretty much the same diameter as the shaft, I guess I could take the palm sander and some aggressive sand paper to them to get it a little smaller...

 

[adsm08]

Well pretty much every repair sleeve I have ever used had to pass over splines, so I think they mean the final resting place can't be on the splines.

 

[doorgunner]

Yep ads_ the area where the sealing will take place can't be over splines cause the sleeve will be all wacky-shaped and stuff....

and make sure the splines aren't too big or the sleeve will get stuck on them...

das all i got

 

[Captain Ledd]

Thanks for the clarification guys!

I already know I'll need to make a new tool for driving them on.

Here's some pics, it's pretty much a straight shaft with splines machined into it.

It's an interesting little project which is actually getting close to completion. I'll have a thread on it at some point, I'm pretty proud if it. I haven't made a thread on it yet because I've been fiddling with this thing on and off for over a year and a half now. Learned a ton and had an excuse to get more tools. Finally have everything all welded, painted, new bearings/seals are in, just trying to get the last little bit together. Of course it's still finding ways to fight me.

TOP: Input shaft
MIDDLE: Output shaft
BOTTOM: Felt input shaft seal by the time I got it out. Near as I can tell it's a 60's vintage mower, might have been original for all I know... The side shaft (middle pic) was already a regular single lip seal, but I bet it also used to be felt, and the damage was already done (yes, it leaked badly as well)

Neither of these will hold oil as they currently sit lol.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They probably meant not to do what you are doing, it would be pretty stupid to put a sleeve on splines for a seal to run on... oil would gush out betwen the splines and the sleeve so who really cares about how the seal between the seal and the sleeve is.

It can be done but you will have to be more careful vs a round shaft, the sleeve will deform easily.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Well, it's not going directly ON the splines, the repair sleeve is going where the chewed up and pitted section is behind the splines . That's where the felt seal ran. But I'm pretty sure the spline OD is the exact same size as the shaft, and don't want it to distort a $30 repair sleeve, well, $60 because I have two. But I've never used or seen one of these things before and don't know if it'll suck itself back into shape after it's past the splines.

So should I try to take down the OD of the splines a few thousandths? It's just for a tractor PTO, I've seen splines and recievers in worse shape than these are in.

 

[shane96ranger]

Sounds like one of those "Do not use in the shower" warnings on a hair dryer.

 

[saskbill]

Well, if there's a machinist or somebody with experience using these sleeves on this type of application out there, I'll gladly refer to their expertise.

My understanding is that you want the sleeve to slip smoothly over the splines and come to rest over the galled area, problably held in place by some loctite after you are sure it will slip into place (probably not so tight you have to actually drive on it and distort it, nor so sloppy that it will sit off-centre on the shaft and self-destruct against the new seal.)

Hi-tech solution: a surface grinder set up on a lathe

More likely: strip(s) of emery cloth wrapped on the shaft and around your fingers and lots of patience. 'Whip' the emery cloth around the shaft, moving it around and along the shaft (galled and splined areas) to keep things even round and straight. You're looking to remove any burrs on the splines or raised areas at the edge of the galling.

Every once in awhile, stop, wipe off any dust/filing accumulation with a lightly oiled rag, and gently try the sleeve. If it slides on part way and meets resistance, stop, ease the sleeve off and go over that area with the emery. Then wipe the shaft off and try again. and again.

Good luck! Looks like you have plently of skill and patience to get this far!

PS: My uncle Albert was a remarkable man, farmer and blacksmith. I remember seeing him years ago working to rebuild the splines on a 2-cyl JD tractor crankshaft with an arc welder and a BUNCH of patient filing. Very little that can't be accomplished with a bit of skill and a lotta patience and determination, when needful.

 

[projectnitemare]

You can't have them over splines to create a sealed surface is all they mean. The material is thin and will distort. You want a slight interference fit and use some retaining compound or loctite. I like to use a piece of pvc or something of the like to drive them on. All the info for these can be found here: http://www.skf.com/binary/12-124405/11337_2-EN_SKF-SPEEDI-SLEEVE.pdf Felt is a more common seal than you may thing especially on large shafts.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

^^^ I tried your link and got a blank pdf. It may be my pdf reader. I went to the skf website and found this page that should be the same or similar to what you posted;
http://www.skf.com/ca/en/products/s...&WT.z_oss_boost=0&tabname=All&WT.z_oss_rank=3
Thanks for pointing us in the right direction,
Richard