Shift Tower Packing Material, D4 7U

Check with Florin Tractor, I believe they have a reasonable aftermarket boot.
If I remember right the last time I bought Cat packing for the shifter the part number had been upgraded to a plastic beveled ring that is far superior to that garbage packing. I've also seen a fat 0-ring used that was much better than the graphite packing. You really need to replace some of those rotten parts if you expect it to work properly.
Some of those internal parts go way back to where a dowel pin used the holes in question.

[quote="Old Magnet"]Check with Florin Tractor, I believe they have a reasonable aftermarket boot.
If I remember right the last time I bought Cat packing for the shifter the part number had been upgraded to a plastic beveled ring that is far superior to that garbage packing. I've also seen a fat 0-ring used that was much better than the graphite packing. You really need to replace some of those rotten parts if you expect it to work properly.
Some of those internal parts go way back to where a dowel pin used the holes in question.[/quote]

Thanks for the info! At this point I'm just trying to get the machine somewhat operational so I can sort out all the big problems first. Once I get that far I'll come back and fix/repair/replace the smaller issues like that rotten shift cover.

Thanks,
Jordan

I haven't gotten to the packing yet but I did decide to try my hand at "doming" to reproduce the cup that the spring sits on. My first attempt was with the end of an oil filter, that came out so easy I decided to do it with a piece of heavier sheet metal more similar to the original. Low and behold, pretty easy. Just found a piece of pipe that was a little larger than the part I wanted to make and started at it with a large ball-peen hammer. Started in the middle, and in circular pattern worked outward and just kept caressing it until the dome shape was similar to the original part. Cut it out with some sheet metal cutters, drilled a hole and slid it on. After it was on I hammered on it a little more to smooth it out over the factory cast piece to make it a perfect fit;

[attachment=41314]1.jpg[/attachment][attachment=41315]2.jpg[/attachment][attachment=41316]3.jpg[/attachment][attachment=41317]4.jpg[/attachment]

The shift tower on my D2 was worse than the D4 so I made an extra cup for it. After I dissembled it I put it in a 5 gallon bucket to perform easy rust removal, aka electrolysis;

[attachment=41319]6.jpg[/attachment][attachment=41318]5.jpg[/attachment]

I think it will clean up well enough to re-use but we'll see.

Jordan

Worked on finding updated part numbers today, I think these are all correct:

Spring Cover: old L-887 new 0L-0887 price $9.31
Spring: old L-1045 new 0L-1045 price $9.91
Cover: old L-888 new 0L-0888 price $25.50
Packing: old L-974 new 6Y-8815 price $14.30
Bearing Cover: old 1A5592 new 1A-5592 price $21.82
Centering Ring: old 3B5380 new 1A-6775 price $20.71
Handle: old L-1170 new 0L-1170 price $5.09

I will order the new packing from our local Cat dealership and see how that works.

Jordan

you need to see this one http://www.acmoc.org/bb/showthread.php?26634-Getting-projects-out-of-the-way-is-one-way-to-tidy-up-the-shop

Thanks!

Jordan

Picked up the new version of the packing from Caterpillar, part number 6Y8815 and here is what it looks like installed on old rusty parts;

[attachment=41958]packing.jpg[/attachment]

Thanks,
Jordan

Is that material a plastic of some sort?

Looks like UHMW Plastic, its very durable