speed queen worn shaft

[cleanclear1]

i got two speed queen 20lb got worn out shaft, the area close to the sleeve. anyone know any way to repair it? maybe a kit i can buy? called couple of the shops here, i think one guy told me they weld something to it then make it smooth. other said something similar. has anyone done this before? and how long does it last?

[MrMachine]

Originally Posted by cleanclear1

i got two speed queen 20lb got worn out shaft, the area close to the sleeve. anyone know any way to repair it? maybe a kit i can buy? called couple of the shops here, i think one guy told me they weld something to it then make it smooth. other said something similar. has anyone done this before? and how long does it last?

Yes, this has been a relatively common problem on these washers. The metal on the shaft is not hard enough to survive when the bearings seize up. This is why you rarely get the "freight train" sound on these machines as opposed to the Wascos which have such tight hard shafts that the bearings will roar when they go.

Instead, the shafts wear down on the Speed Queens and you end up with play and rocking in the tub.

There are shops that will "re-metalize" the shaft with a harder metal and turn it to the proper diameter on a big lathe.

If you're in the NYC area I can hook you up.

[N BROWN]

Speedqueen makes a kit to update to the new seal design. It includes new basket,trunnion, and assoc. parts. Cost 500 dollars but it updates the washer to the new style seals that SQ warrants for 10 years on new machines.

[Adamski]

Originally Posted by N BROWN

Speedqueen makes a kit to update to the new seal design. It includes new basket,trunnion, and assoc. parts. Cost 500 dollars but it updates the washer to the new style seals that SQ warrants for 10 years on new machines.

That sounds like a heck of a good deal.

[MrMachine]

Originally Posted by Adamski

That sounds like a heck of a good deal.

Yes, That does sound good.
I heard the later baskets come with a harder more durable metal on the shaft.
I bet the shaft diameter is larger with more surface area to grip, to ensure no slippage when the bearing eventually does go.

[Adamski]

Paul,

I've yet to have a bearing "spin" on any Huebsch washer I've owned. When water gets to the front main bearing, I always start to hear the "approaching freight train sound". At first, the sound is quiet to the point that I'm not 100% sure the bearing is going. Within a week or two, the clue is unmistakable and the washer is put OUT OF SERVICE. I never allow a washer to remain in service once I determine that it needs main bearings. I have an extra trunnion and shaft/basket assembly in stock for my 40# washers so I can begin the rebuild at my earliest convenience. My rebuilds seem to last about 8 years or so which is very satisfactory.

Alliance has put out some monumental effort to improve the longevity of the main bearings/seals on the current models. I assume these improvements will prove worthwhile over the long haul. Time will tell.

[MrMachine]

Originally Posted by Adamski

Paul,

I've yet to have a bearing "spin" on any Huebsch washer I've owned. When water gets to the front main bearing, I always start to hear the "approaching freight train sound". At first, the sound is quiet to the point that I'm not 100% sure the bearing is going. Within a week or two, the clue is unmistakable and the washer is put OUT OF SERVICE. I never allow a washer to remain in service once I determine that it needs main bearings. I have an extra trunnion and shaft/basket assembly in stock for my 40# washers so I can begin the rebuild at my earliest convenience. My rebuilds seem to last about 8 years or so which is very satisfactory.

Alliance has put out some monumental effort to improve the longevity of the main bearings/seals on the current models. I assume these improvements will prove worthwhile over the long haul. Time will tell.

Larry,

Yes Alliance improved the bearings tremendously, probably doing similar things like I mentioned before...harder metal, bigger diameter shaft, etc. and more I'm sure.
That's why you DO hear the freight train sound....it's the sound of rusty bearings rubbing against each other. If the shaft was too weak, the bearings would seize up (lock up) and the shaft would wear out.

[Adamski]

Originally Posted by MrMachine

... If the shaft was too weak, the bearings would seize up (lock up) and the shaft would wear out.

Paul,

The point I wanted to make is that if the washer is put out of service as soon as the bearing begins to rust, it won't have a chance to seize up and ruin the shaft. I don't think Alliance shafts are especially weak but I do know operators who will let their washers howl and howl without even thinking of putting them out of service and rebuilding them. I wish my competitors had this "Let it run until it stops" policy.

[cleanclear1]

Originally Posted by MrMachine

Yes, this has been a relatively common problem on these washers. The metal on the shaft is not hard enough to survive when the bearings seize up. This is why you rarely get the "freight train" sound on these machines as opposed to the Wascos which have such tight hard shafts that the bearings will roar when they go.

Instead, the shafts wear down on the Speed Queens and you end up with play and rocking in the tub.

There are shops that will "re-metalize" the shaft with a harder metal and turn it to the proper diameter on a big lathe.

If you're in the NYC area I can hook you up.

please, hook me up. let me get the address, i am in brooklyn hope is not too far. i need a good shop, was told speed queen is the only one with this problem.

[MrMachine]

Originally Posted by cleanclear1

please, hook me up. let me get the address, i am in brooklyn hope is not too far. i need a good shop, was told speed queen is the only one with this problem.

Brooklyn is perfect. These guys are located in the Park Slope area, off the horrendous Belt Pkwy, lol.

I'll send you a PM.