Bearings for s/g

[KVANDY12 0]

I took the S/G apart to day the pulley end has a bearing the other end didn't have one or it is worn out. The hole where it should go is about 3/4" by about 1/4" deep. The shaft is 1/2" on the generator. There is a brass bushing in the end. Which has some play in it. Is the bushing what keeps is centered or is there a bearing that goes in front of the bushing. Ken

[ZippoVarga 61]

Just bushings. They should be available at your local automotive electrical service center or electric motor repair center. Worn bushings will cause MANY problems including, rubs, eliptical commutators resulting in dead spots and hot spots on the outer housing as a result of the armature rubbing the pole shoes. My suggestion is.....if the ends of the armature look "ok". As in, not worn out. Then take the top and bottom caps to the afore mentioned service center to have new bearings installed. Take the armature with you as well so that they can reference the diameter of the hole for the bushing. I aquired a whole new (used) top cap for my S/G that had an oiler already installed on it with a new bushing for 15 dollars (something Simplicity and other manufacturers of the lighter S/G's failed to require on the units). A heck of a lot cheaper than having the whole armature replaced or worse yet....burning the fields out of the frame along with the armature.