Challenge 27 started leaking oil

......when you need to get in the weeds.
Kingo
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Joined: Mon May 30, 2022 4:19 pm
Location: Oklahoma

Challenge 27 started leaking oil

Post by Kingo »

My Challenge 27 started leaking oil out of the input shaft today. Does anyone have any ideas or experience?
Thanks
King
Windcatcher530 Dan
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Re: Challenge 27 started leaking oil

Post by Windcatcher530 Dan »

Probably your shaft bearings need replacement
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windybob
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Location: Ames Oklahoma

Re: Challenge 27 started leaking oil

Post by windybob »

I don't know much about those. Not many around here. I have a couple, but not had them apart. Where's Walter when you need him. LOL
Call Dan Benjamin for parts. P M me for the phone number.
Kingo
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon May 30, 2022 4:19 pm
Location: Oklahoma

Re: Challenge 27 started leaking oil

Post by Kingo »

In the parts list, I don’t see a oil seal per say, it mentions a oil retainer spring that goes on the outside of the front bearing on the main shaft. I do t even know if this windmill has Babbitt or timken bearings.
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windybob
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Re: Challenge 27 started leaking oil

Post by windybob »

Many mills don't have a "front seal" . Many rely on slingers, tilted shafts, washers, etc.
Call Dan Benjamin for parts. P M me for the phone number.
Kingo
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon May 30, 2022 4:19 pm
Location: Oklahoma

Re: Challenge 27 started leaking oil

Post by Kingo »

I figured out my problem. I had a plugged up oil return galley allowing the oil to build up in the front of hub and drip out. :roll: As mentioned above, the Challenge 27 does not use packings or seals to keep oil from dripping out of the front snout of case. Instead it uses a oil conveyor “spring” to push oil to the front bearing and a oil retaining spring ,that is wound reverse to the oil conveyor, that is located on the main shaft in front of the bearing. I believe the purpose of the oil retaining spring is to act as a skimmer to funnel the oil that passes through the Timken bearing down into the front of the hub where it will drain back to the oil sump through a galley under the bearing race.
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windybob
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Re: Challenge 27 started leaking oil

Post by windybob »

Sounds good! Glad it's fixed. That's another reason why we use regular red ATF. doesn't sludge up and clog oil returns. Thanks for the update!
Call Dan Benjamin for parts. P M me for the phone number.
Windcatcher530 Dan
Posts: 1901
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:06 pm
Location: Alcove N.Y.i buy and restore

Re: Challenge 27 started leaking oil

Post by Windcatcher530 Dan »

That's great you lucked out.Keep us posted
Coulteryan
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Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2020 11:04 am
Location: Midlothian, TX

Re: Challenge 27 started leaking oil

Post by Coulteryan »

I also have a Challenge 27 I'm trying to disassemble. Is there a trick to getting the two small gears off the main shaft?
Specifically the gear closer to the hub, the one further away I can get to slide on the shaft, one closer to the hub won't budge.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Kingo
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon May 30, 2022 4:19 pm
Location: Oklahoma

Re: Challenge 27 started leaking oil

Post by Kingo »

I had trouble getting that gear closest to the hub to budge as well. What I wound up doing was orientating the gear box so the hub faced down. I then liberally applied deep creep to the stuck gear particularly to the are of the keyway. The gear would wedge itself into the snout of the gearbox. I then used a map(?) gas torch to heat the gear (I just fanned the flame around on it and didn’t hold in one spot). Then I used a brass drift against the threaded end of the shaft and with several blows with hammer the shaft and hub dropped out. Hope it makes sense and works for you
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