T.E.MANNING

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FLOWMAN

ADVANCED PUMP TECHNOLOGIES

Edition 04: 08 March, 2002

SOLAR SPRING SOLAR PUMPS

MAINTENANCE

How to replace the piston bearings

Tools and materials required : Suggested piston support (901).Suggested spindle driver (904), vice, wooden or plastic mallet, liquid silicon or non toxic grease.

Introductory note

Bearings part 347 and axis rods 348 seldom require replacement. NEVER replace part 347 without replacing part 348. As it is rather difficult to replace parts 347 and 348 without risk of damage to the piston (350) itself, replacement of the whole piston group (346) is recommended.

Step one

Place the piston group in a vice with the axis rod (348) vertical with respect to the vice.

Step two

Use the spindle driver (904) and a mallet to knock the axis rod (348) as gently as possible through the piston body so as to release the axis rod (348) itself, the two bearing rings (349) and the vertical bearing (347)

(Drawing of bearing removal operation)

Step three

Rub a small amount of non toxic silicon grease on to the (eventually new) axis rod (348)

Step four

Place the axis rod (349) on the piston spindle driver tool (904) as shown in drawing fig. ###

(photo 04-0162)

Step five

Approach the rod (348) and spindle driver tool (904) to the piston (350) and place in vice as shown in drawing fig. ###

Step six

Make sure the rod (348) and the centre line of the piston (350) are in line with each other:
This is good :

Drawing showing correct alignment

This is NOT good

Drawing showing erroneous alignment

IMPORTANT : You will note that the axis rod (348) is curved at its extremities, so that when assembled its ends will be flush with the curved/rounded surface of the piston :

Drawing with section of axis and with section on piston correctly positioned

Step seven

Screw the vice until the free end of the axis rod (348) protrudes approximately one centimeter beyond the inner face of the piston (350).

Drawing from 06-162 angled so that the inside of the piston can be seen

Step eight

Insert the first space ring (349) on the protruding end of the axis rod (348)

Drawing from photo 07-162

Step nine

Insert the bearing (347) in line with the axis (348) and continue gently closing the vice, contemporaneously turning the bearing (347) with the fingers to enhance progress, until the axis (348) protrudes very slightly (a few millimeters is enough) from the free end of the bearing (347).
Note : The bearing should be turning freely at all moments.

Step ten

Hold the second spacer ring (349) with the free hand in line with the axis (348) and the piston (350)

(Drawing)

Step eleven

Continue turning the vice with one hand and the bearing (347) with the other hand, until the axis (348) is fully and correctly seated in the piston (350) and the external surfaces of the axis (348) and the piston (350) are flush with one another.

Step twelve

Check and make sure the bearing (347) is turning freely on its axis (348) inside the piston (350)