What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[Tony Press]

Hi Jamie

Are the bearings really rough or is there a trace of dirt or a brush hair in them? The common failure mode is slight clearance, often largely the result of corrosion more than wear. I would be interested if conventional failure pitted bearings are ever encounterd. Unless rust pitted from long standing

Hello, Bob.

To be honest, I am not sure yet. I need to give them a good clean to check. I plan to use the ultrasonic cleaner to shift any grit and then warm air to dry them out thoroughly.

Jamie.

When drying don't use the old apprentice trick of spinning with an air gun- with an unloaded bearing rotating at many revs.  the balls can slide smearing the tracks

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I have been told (by the manufacturer of mine if I remember correctly) to be wary of putting bearings in an ultrasonic cleaner for any period of time, as the constant shaking and hitting can damage the surfaces. I would ask Messers Giggle, Goggle and Gargle first.
Peter

I haven't heard this- I would think it could take quite a while for an ultrasonic cleaner to cause false brinelling with an unloaded bearing but it could be worth limiting the time.