Member Since: 27 Dec 2020
Location: Pocatello
Posts: 42
Center bearing carrier - 3D printed?
I’ve been considering my options regarding the repair I need to do with the center bearing and the torn rubber around it. I saw JXB has produced a nice two-piece carrier but it’s $250, which seems quite expensive.
This will sound crazy but armed with a 3D printer, would it be possible to replicate this two-piece support with a high strength, high temp filament, printed at or near 100% infill and have it be reliable? It seems that they sell the bushing separately that could then be used in this design. I’m not 100% sure the forces that are created at this point in the propshaft and how much it would need to withstand.
Before everyone screams no, just consider if there’s any way this could be done!
30th May 2022 4:31 pm
NC500
Member Since: 18 Sep 2017
Location: On the NC500
Posts: 549
I guess why the JXB item seems expensive is that it is not just the material cost of the product you are paying for but also the development and testing too. Printing your own saves the material cost but there is no development or testing investment and to be honest, I’d rather fit something I knew would work reliably.
30th May 2022 5:09 pm
highlands
Member Since: 10 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5107
Sikaflex, Sikaflex, Sikasikasikaflex! Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
Grey 05 TDV6 HSE Auto (Gone)
54 TDV6 SE Man (killed by me )
30th May 2022 5:33 pm
jekyllman
Member Since: 27 Dec 2020
Location: Pocatello
Posts: 42
What do you mean sikaflex?[/quote]
30th May 2022 6:47 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6769
Sikaflex is a construction sealant of sorts… used to fill gaps and, well, some fix their center bearing rubber with it. Allegedly
30th May 2022 10:24 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
if you want to do it ok...but if you get into an insurance situation after an accident and an inspection of the car is in police hands...it looks like a bodge...wonder what your insurance will make of your car maintenance,?
30th May 2022 11:23 pm
highlands
Member Since: 10 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5107
I did have an accident in my first D3 that I fixed the centre bearing with Sikaflex on.
The accident wasn't due to the Sikaflex and I'd struggle to see how it would cause an accident.
As for 'bodge', I think the woefully inadequate rubber used in the original part is much more of a bodge than the fix.
On the first 2 D3s I had the rubber on the centre bearing had failed and I fixed them with Sikaflex and drove both for 10s of thousands of miles without issue and through many MoTs.
On my current D3 I used Sikaflex before it split because, well lets face it, the rubber will fail.Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
Grey 05 TDV6 HSE Auto (Gone)
54 TDV6 SE Man (killed by me )
31st May 2022 12:27 am
jekyllman
Member Since: 27 Dec 2020
Location: Pocatello
Posts: 42
I’m interested…. Any tips how to best apply? Mine is torn badly so might as well give it a shot. I live in Idaho, USA where safety inspections literally don’t exist. If it fails then I can pay to fix the right way at that point
31st May 2022 4:27 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4540
Sikaflex is an air cure polyurethane sealer and adhesive . 3M do a similar product, and I've seen Tiger Seal branded sealer which is the same thing.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
31st May 2022 8:43 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4540
To answer your original question, I had considered 3d printing a mould, to hold the bearing in the correct position, and then injecting Sikaflex in to the tool. Might make a cleaner job than just applying sikaflex direct. You'll have to use a mould release on the tool though, polyurethane adhesive really sticks! 😉Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
31st May 2022 8:49 am
latnutgub
Member Since: 25 Aug 2011
Location: Huddersfield
Posts: 170
Hi Highlands, I am just about to put my replacement propshaft on. I too would like to beef up the thin rubber excuse for bearing support. Which number on your Sikaflex did you use. 295 seems close but what did you use? Regards,
31st May 2022 9:12 am
Captain Crosscheck
Member Since: 03 Sep 2021
Location: Oslo
Posts: 345
If you apply the Sikaflex and shape ut evenly, you won't need to make a mold. It's not so fluid, so it's pretty easy to shape. We use liquid silicone oil when shaping it, if you use it somewhere visible, like windows. Dishwasher liquid is an easier and more available option.
Norwegian trains are basically held together by this stuff
31st May 2022 5:21 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4540
That's good info about the silicone oil. Does it affect the cure at all?Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
31st May 2022 5:43 pm
highlands
Member Since: 10 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5107
latnutgub wrote:
Hi Highlands, I am just about to put my replacement propshaft on. I too would like to beef up the thin rubber excuse for bearing support. Which number on your Sikaflex did you use. 295 seems close but what did you use? Regards,
Pretty sure I used 221.
EBT+ seems more readily available these days.
They are both polyurethane.
Tigerseal will probably do just as effective a job.
On the bearing where the rubber had torn I centred the bearing using a rubber (polyurethane?) straight holder for 6 driver bits that I had and was just the right size. The first fix I left it in place but on the subsequent one I did the fill in 2 halves and used it until the first half had cured.
I did do a general clean of the area I was filling and finish off cleaning with thinners.
Again, seems to have worked well.Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
Grey 05 TDV6 HSE Auto (Gone)
54 TDV6 SE Man (killed by me )
31st May 2022 7:28 pm
Captain Crosscheck
Member Since: 03 Sep 2021
Location: Oslo
Posts: 345
rrhool wrote:
That's good info about the silicone oil. Does it affect the cure at all?
No, it's what Sika themselves recommend.
This is their stuff https://che.sika.com/de/construction/boden...tteln.html (could only find the link in German, but the data sheet is available in English as well).
Leaves a nice, smooth finish.
If you want to do it a 100%, you start out with their primer as well, Sika 207/208. That's what's going to fix my bearing
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