[mactec54]

cowanrg

Your top AC Bearing as it is now, is taking what ever tension you have on your belt, it should not be seeing anything from above

It would be simple to just use the top bearing with a bushing that will fit the bearing & the shaft, a flange on the bush, so it can't go down through the bearing

[cowanrg]

cowanrg

Your top AC Bearing as it is now, is taking what ever tension you have on your belt, it should not be seeing anything from above

It would be simple to just use the top bearing with a bushing that will fit the bearing & the shaft, a flange on the bush, so it can't go down through the bearing

This was my thinking. Sure, I might get a bit of deflection on the unsupported shaft up top, but it won't go any further than past the top AC bearing, and it's only the force of the belt tension.

Unfortunately, the top bearing is normally supported from the top by a snap ring, so I'll have to figure out how to secure it so it can't slip down. But a flanged piece to support the shaft through the top bearing sounds like an easy fix.

[mactec54]

This was my thinking. Sure, I might get a bit of deflection on the unsupported shaft up top, but it won't go any further than past the top AC bearing, and it's only the force of the belt tension.

That is correct, but that bearing is not designed to work like that, so should not see anything from above

Unfortunately, the top bearing is normally supported from the top by a snap ring, so I'll have to figure out how to secure it so it can't slip down. But a flanged piece to support the shaft through the top bearing sounds like an easy fix.

You can get Bearings with a flange, or with a snap ring groove, you could also just loctite it in place, even drill & tap 4 holes close to the edge of the Bearing bore & attach a ring underneath

Those Bearings that were in the top are most likely junk, so you would need a new one anyway, make sure when you get one it is sealed 2RS on the end of the Bearing number is what you want for rubber sealed