TM 55-203
(3) Wedges having the overall length reduced more
(1) Wedges cracked, distorted, or broken should
than three-sixteenths of an inch at contact surfaces
not be reapplied.
should not be reapplied.
(2) Wedges flat on top for a length exceeding the
(4) If bottom of bearing surface of wedge is uneven
original diameter of the journal should not be reapplied.
to the extent of 1/64 of an inch, as determined by a
Wear limits are indicated in the following table.
straightedge or suitable gage, wedge must be removed
from service.
Table 4-2. Journal Wear Limits
Normal journal size (in.)
Wear limit flat-
f. Dust Guards. Whenever wheels are changed, the
lengthwise (in.)
dust guards also should be renewed.
4 1/4 x 8 ......................................... 3 1/4
5 x 9 ............................................... 4
5 1/2 x 10 ....................................... 4 1/2
6 x 1 ............................................... 5
6 1/2 x 12 ....................................... 65 1/2
Section IV. JOURNAL BOX LUBRICATION
4-12. Journal Packing
(1) If the journal packing is dirty or mixed with
grease, the box should be repacked.
a. General. Lubrication failures which result in
overheated journal bearings (hotboxes) cause serious
(2) Journal boxes containing excessive amounts -of
delay in railway operations. Trains are delayed because
snow, ice, or water should be repacked. Particular
of the necessity of attending to, or setting out cars with
attention should be given to all boxes located under
hotboxes. This results in delays and interference with
drains of ice bunkers or refrigerator cars. When found
other train movements. Hotboxes not detected in time
to contain drippings, the boxes should be repacked.
may result in journals burning off and consequent
(3) Journal boxes that have been in high water
derailments. Car journals may be packed with oil-
should be cleaned and repacked as soon as practicable;
soaked waste (fig 4-26) or AAR-approved mechanical
careful examination must be made.
lubricating devices (fig 4-27). These devices consist of
oil-soaked pads held against car journals be retainer
for corroded or pitted journals.
springs. AAR Interchange Rules, applicable In CONUS,
state that "-journal lubricating devices, AAR-approved
b. Reoiling. If packing shows dry along the -top after
types, conditionally approved types, or types authorized
having been reset or if there is less than 1/2 inch of oil
for limited test application are required on all cars
in the bottom of box, oil should ,be added, starting at the
having plain bearings in interchange."
back of the box and working the oil can spout forward
along both sides of the journal. If the direction of car
b. Packing Adjustment. Journal packing may appear
movement is known, oil should be added on the rising
in good condition on first examination; however, car
side of the journal only. The box lid must close
inspectors should make a thorough Inspection by use of
properly, and there must be no loose threads of packing
the packing hook (para 4-9a). The packing hook should
hanging outside. If it is necessary In cold weather to
be pushed under lone side of the Journal as far as it will
add cutback or thinner oil, hot car oil or thin oil having a
go, and out-of-place packing turned and adjusted to
flashpoint of 300F. or above may be used The use of
provide a new bearing surface. When packing is left too
kerosene oil or any oil with a flashpoint below 300F. is
long without this adjustment, the part that bears on the
prohibited.
journal becomes glazed as the turning journal presses
against it. Dust and dirt tend to accumulate at this point
4-14. Preparation and Handling of Packing Materials
and contribute to journal wear. These conditions reduce
a. Packing must consist of all new, all renovated, or a
or stop the oil flow to the journal and may cause it to
blended mixture of new and renovated waste or
become overheated, i.e., a hotbox.
lubricating pads as determined by the requirements of
4-13. Inspection of Journal Packing
the service for which it is to be used.
a. General. When inspection reveals any of the
b. The waste should be loosened and shaken out
following conditions, action will be taken as indicated
thoroughly and then placed in a saturating vat. The
below.
waste should be completely submerged 'in oil
(temperature of the oil not less than 70F.) for a period
of not less than 48 hours to insure
4-21
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