08-25-2024, 06:18 AM
Jim,
653 was one of the first coaches with Valid slides. Those bearing look identical to what they used. Over the years Newell replaced several bearings. My problem was mostly water intrusion. If there is *ANY* water, the ball bearings will adhere to the rail. It does not take much for the bearing to rust and then fall out.
Earlier versions of those linear bearings were grey in color and *some* of those had a grease zerk fitting on the end. (The green versions are the newer ones) From your pictures it looks like there is a hole for a zerk fitting on one end. I asked Newell about greasing the bearings and they said it was not needed…but they may have said that because of the physical difficulty of getting to the bearings to grease them.
I just wanted to add background to this discussion. Good luck with the replacement.
653 was one of the first coaches with Valid slides. Those bearing look identical to what they used. Over the years Newell replaced several bearings. My problem was mostly water intrusion. If there is *ANY* water, the ball bearings will adhere to the rail. It does not take much for the bearing to rust and then fall out.
Earlier versions of those linear bearings were grey in color and *some* of those had a grease zerk fitting on the end. (The green versions are the newer ones) From your pictures it looks like there is a hole for a zerk fitting on one end. I asked Newell about greasing the bearings and they said it was not needed…but they may have said that because of the physical difficulty of getting to the bearings to grease them.
I just wanted to add background to this discussion. Good luck with the replacement.
Bill Johnson
Birmingham, Alabama