Inspecting the torque tube packing gland, I found the scroll back oil grooves had completely worn away in one area, the gland was replaced with a modern lipseal gland.
I am fitting a new silent block bearing to the torque tube anchor, the new one is 0.005 inch larger than the anchor. I reduced that to 2 thou to give a good press fit. What I call a press or interference fit Rolls Royce call a “diametral nip”. Interesting.
I had a lot of trouble undoing the torque tube anchor ball adjusting nut. The problem seemed to be rock hard 80 year old grease in the threads. Having cleaned them out with a sharp o ring removing tool I can now tighten the nut up properly. When the slack had been eliminated, movement side to side was very tight. Having checked there was enough metal left I assembled the ball joint with some fine grinding paste and ground the three bearing surfaces back to a spherical shape.
Inspecting what I thought was my only pinion bearing carrier it became clear that the outer race on the inside bearing had been rotating. It had worn a groove 0.021 in. deep and must have overheated the bearing.
Luckily what I thought was our only carrier turns out to be a spare one! So I also have a servicable one, it does mean the pair of thrust bearings will need a very careful inspection.
I had obtained a new 1/2in BSF nut for the pinion shaft, it would not go on. Having had the thread size confirmed I ordered a set of die nuts. with a bit of work with a thread file I got the die nut started and it is all OK now. I assume it was accumulated dried on oil and grease, again, that was the problem.
BBM69 
