glass beading gearbox parts

The parts in the cover of my gearbox are a bit nasty, wondering if glass beading them is okay or if there is any reason to avoid. Talking about the ratchet parts, pawl, plate, springs, etc. I soaked them in parts cleaner and scrubbed with a brush, but i would like them cleaned up a bit more.

I wouldn't. You'll have a hard time ensuring all those beads are cleaned out. If they are rusty, get some evaoprust and clean me that way, or replace. but do not glass bead the inside of the case or parts. You might be able to use walnut shells but the evaporust will clean the rust off just as good with no harm done to anything.

Sure why not, I glass bead stuff like that all the time. I know that there are those on this forum that would worry about glass residue being left behind, but if you wash the parts off in soap and water afterwards you will have no problem.

GB

don't wast your time on the springs. they are a disposable item IMHO and with rust they are even more prone to breaking.

I was looking at my gearbox cases and wondered about blasting them with salt. I have yet to try it.

Russ

rvich said:

I was looking at my gearbox cases and wondered about blasting them with salt. I have yet to try it.

Russ

Click to expand...

russ you could also do baking soda. works well and cleans up easily with water since it dissolves unlike other media. google DIY soda blaster and you'll find articles to use a bit of hose and an air gun on a compressor using the venturi effect

I cleaned the heck out of mine with solvent and wire brush, then detergent. Then acetone. Then I painted the non machined surfaces with 2 part epoxy black. I hope this retards the rust for a long time.
I also figured some of the water getting in there comes from washing water going down thru the vent hole. So I soldered the vent tube bottom closed and drilled a .025 hole in it at the bottom. Then I poked some loose cotton down into the vent tube top. This will let air vent, but slow some of the wash water drool down.
I think the best way to vent it is with a u-tube, but I couldn't figure how to make one.
JD75

IMO glass beads should not be used on any internal parts.

They tend to shatter and there is a risk that they will embed in soft metal such as aluminum; when that happens, soap and water might not remove it but oil, heat cycling, and vibration over time likely will.

Other blasting media such as walnut shell, baking soda, steel shot, and so on, don't carry that risk. Plug all holes - junk screws in every threaded hole and rubber plugs or masking tape for bearing seats and mating surfaces.