Military Vehicles, October 1996,: Re: MB maintenance

Re: MB maintenance

Steven Malikoff (steven@phaedra.apana.org.au)
Tue, 8 Oct 1996 18:41:18 +1000 (EST)

> Hey all. Got a question about the MBs oil filtration system. I read recently
> that the system has a design flaw. Apparently, the top bearings do not
> receive adequate lubrication, and the author of the article recommends placing
> BBs into the hoses going to a from the filter. That would preserve the
> originality (at least the appearance) of the oil filter system, but would mean
> the oil would have to be changed MUCH more frequently. Any ideas, or comments
> about this? I don't want to install a modern day filter, because I do want to
> keep the vehicle original as possible. Pete Ward
>

I think this is in AAW, and it's true that the top bearing slippers don't
get as much oil as they probably should. However, I know of *no-one* that
has gone to the extent of blocking it off as suggested. Mine and every other
MB/GPW in our club that I know of has never had any problems with burning
out bearings due to the system used. Last year some club MB's and GPW's did
a 6,000 mile round trip into the centre of Australia and back, in 5 weeks,
all normal engines, and not any problems. The long oil hose broke on my friend's
GPW out in the Simpson Desert but that was it. Unless you intend to thrash
it then I'd leave it as it is. That design got 670,000 jeeps through that
minor altercation in the early 1940's with flying colours.

Steve Malikoff.
steven@phaedra.apana.org.au