Recommended Oils
The user assumes all liability for these products, use at your own risk. We cannot be held responsible for damage or liability caused by improper handling, use, installation, or maintenance. Due to the nature of the product and age of equipment, we are unable to guarantee against failure.
Some common journal oils are shown below:
Chevron CPS No. 233803 "Journal bearing oil,"
Texaco Product Code 674 "Journaltex" HD-57,
Unocal Product Code 04907 AAR-963 oil,
Valvoline M-963-84 "All year car oil,"
Interlube Journal Guard
PB&J 100 has been shown to work but requires pad restraints on large axles due to tackifiers rolling the pads when cold
(AVOID PBJ 460 in cellars because it is too sticky and will tear the pads).
Proper pad fit maintains contact with the journal surface on the axle and maximizes pad service life by reducing excessive pressure.
Use the diagram to the right and the list below to collect the data we need to ensure a good fit.
Key information for passenger, freight, transit, tender, and diesel: See diagram below for reference (Nearest 1/8” measurement is fine for all dimensions)
1. Height: Clearance from journal box floor up to the bottom journal surface of the axle (not at the end collar). This is the space where the pad would sit and correct sizing is critical to pad performance. The pad should tuck in behind the collar so it doesn’t wear prematurely.
2. Width: Max wall to wall width inside the box (perpendicular to axle).
2a: Is the bottom surface of the journal box mostly flat across the surface, chamfered edges of 1” or more, or continuous curved U shape like Symmington? If round bottom box, measure Circumference from bottom of bearing around bottom of axle and back up to bearing.
3. Length: The nominal length of the brass bearing will do (i.e. 6x9) or you can measure it including the radiused ends (along axis of axle).
3a. Does the axle have a collar/knob machined on the end as shown in the diagram below or is it machined straight all the way out like street cars, some diesels, and Muley trucks?
Key information for a good fit (Steam locomotive cellars): See diagrams below (nearest 1/8” is fine for all measurements)
1. Height: Clearance from journal box floor up to bottom journal surface on axle. Use a straight edge across the lowest points of the curved “U” shape ends and measure to the bottom of the cellar (Photo below left).
1a. Gap: Measure the gap between the cellar and axle as fitted. Correct sizing is critical to pad performance. Please check that all cellars and gaps are consistent because substitutions or repairs can cause variation (Photo below center).
2. Width: maximum inside width of the box (perpendicular to axle
3. Length: For drivers, measure maximum inside cellar length along axis of axle.
4. Features: Please provide height and width of pin casting bumps on cellar floor and any other features like oil fill/drain pipes etc? I can notch the pads to accommodate these.
5. If pilot/trailing trucks are set up like a freight car (diagram below right) please indicate if the axle has a collar/knob machined on the end? Also, is the box mostly flat on bottom or rounded?
Pad Prep for Installation
Before installation, pads must be thoroughly saturated with journal oil! Fully immerse pads in a clean container of oil, squeeze multiple times until air bubbles stop rising, then keep pad fully submerged for at least 2 minutes before removal to allow expansion to reduce air re-entry. Pads will continue to absorb over time so it is recommended that they be submerged at least 48 hours after this process before installation. Due to variation in equipment dimensions, pads occasionally require shims or other restraints to achieve optimal fit and prevent excessive shifting.
Pads typically go in easier if you jack up the box, safely remove the wedge and brass bearing, and carefully let the box down. This provides several precious inches of additional clearance to “turn the corner” with the oil soaked pad to tuck it back into the box. If you are uncertain about this process, contact me and I can send a reliable process. Please note that jacking up a journal box presents serious safety risks and must be performed safely to mitigate risk.
