Found something that I have never seen before. Keep in mind I have limited experience with actual T rear ends, so maybe this is more common than I thought.
Took out the outer roller bearings to install the axle seals, and found a spring, about a foot long on the axle shaft - sits in the space of the tube between the roller bearings. It is larger diameter than the axle, and shorter than the space it sits in.
Any one know why it would be in there?
First thing I did was check the other side, and there is one there too. I can't figure out what its purpose would be.
I believe they are Wooddrif springs,an early attempt to keep oil in the center pumpkin. Snyder's used to sell repops. I found a set of originals years ago in a rear end I was tearing down.
Thanks Jack. I knew I could find the answer here. You guys teach me something new every day......
I found a spring on just one of the axle shafts when I took my rear axle apart a couple of months ago. I couldn't imagine what it was for and just assumed it was an attempt to keep oil to the center.
Greg
As Jack posted, these springs were really a gimmick to help prevent grease leaks out the wheel. But modern neoprene seals in the inner Hyatt work in real world driving.