rbursek wrote:Fitz, I would, nothing to loose if waxed right, but I notice on mine that the shafts have a very good micro finish on them, the more polished a steel is, the smaller the pores and tend not to rust as easily, ohps, JPG may be listening, I need to add, all things being equal in the steel chemistry/composition. I cant see h2o getting in there unless out in the rain or spill your Martini off the support platform or TS table!!! Hate that when it happens.
ohps?????
FWIW, I use JPW on all steel parts.
The idler shaft bearing is a 'water pump bearing' that does not have seals/shields in the normal sense. Essentially they are permanently sealed.
New bearings(including new idle shaft) are a different design and require replacing the eccentric at the same time.
That clip looks too large. The shape is correct. It needs to be small enough to fit into the idler sheave bore around the shaft bore. It is usually copper plated.
The key is bent intentionally so as to be captive as you originally described.
P.S. That 'round ring' is a retaining ring that merely prevents the control sheave from moving towards the bearing. As long as it is 'captive', all is well.
