New T owner, question about rear axle

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: New T owner, question about rear axle
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Patrick Hartzell on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 08:48 am:

I'm a newbie T owner with the car I inherited. The car is in good shape, but I never had the chance to ask if the rear axle on the car had been rebuilt - thinking about that trust washer. Without absolutely knowing, I have to assume that it is the original bearing.

I realize that the only way to know for sure is to open it up and inspect it.

I also have a small Ruckstell that came with the car. Not knowing the state of it, I have to assume that it also would need to be rebuilt.

My question is this: Which one would you choose? rebuild the Ruckstell first and swap it with what is on the car now, or pull the one currently on the car, rebuild it, and re-install it.

Although I have the Ruckstell, I am not sure if I have whatever controls (lever, linkages, etc.) are needed from the axle to the driver. I am still sorting out the collection of parts that came with the car.

I assume that the rear radius rods with the existing axle can be used with the Ruckstell.

Thanks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:11 am:

I think you should start slow and experience the car yourself.Some will try to run you through a very long list even before you get in the car!!!!!!!!!!!!!Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed in California on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:18 am:

The worst mistake is to start taking things apart willy nilly. You may never get it back together. Just ask many on this forum about their unfinished projects. Have somebody knowledgable do a thorough assessment of what is working and what needs to be fixed. You want to avoid wasting money rebuilding things that are still perfectly serviceable.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Gould on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:22 am:

Personally I wouldn't be too concerned about the existing rear end if you don't have any in and out movement pushing in on the axles with the wheels removed.
If you decide you need to rebuild a rear end, then my choice would be the Ruckstell. It will be more expensive and time consuming, but the result will be worth the trouble.
Here's a thought. Drive the car with the original rear end until the Ruckstell is ready to swap. That's what I'd do.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:30 am:

Patrick, you should probably also consider getting in touch with the local club if you are not already. It seems to be pretty close to you.

http://www.tarheelts.com/


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Patrick Hartzell on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:30 am:

Thanks for the input.

I don't want to go chasing ghosts and tear things apart unnecessarily, but I want the car to be safe. I will check for axle movement before doing anything.

Also, I noticed that again, the title of my post is not right. Something may be cached in the browser - the title was correct when I pre-viewed my post.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:37 am:

I vote with Richard. Drive the car and enjoy it while you take your time rebuilding the Ruckstell.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:44 am:

The MTFCA Ruckstell book by Glen Chaffin lists the parts, including controls, and gives step by step instructions for inspection and repair. I believe Glen carries all or most of the parts, also listed in his catalogue.

Take the plug out of your rear axle and stick in a finger. If it comes out with oil on it that's a silvery color, the silver is likely ground-up babbitt. If the oil is a normal oil color, you have bronze thrust washers or you have babbitt washers that haven't gone south yet. That may be OK for limited use close to home, but I agree you don't know until you look.

How about this? Pull the rear axle and look inside. If it has bronze washers and has been working OK, put it back together and use it while you work on the Ruckstell. If it turns out to need rebuilding, you can skip that expenditure of time and money and do the Ruckstell instead.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:44 am:

Patrick, I sent you a PM. Ted just summarized my PM paragraphs in one sentence, well done, Ted! :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:47 am:

By the way, what kind of T is this? There's no picture or info on your profile.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 09:50 am:

BTW, OT, but glad to see you licked your brake bleeding problem on the truck, Steve. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 10:32 am:

Another vote for Richard's advice. But do the test he recommends!

If you can, drive the car for a while first. If you love it, you'll enjoy doing any repairs later.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Patrick Hartzell on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 10:33 am:

Steve, Simple question, longer answer. My car has a homemade body and is a "Built Car". My Great Uncle started with a frame and engine and whatever was left over from an abandoned tractor conversion. From there, he accumulated parts in the central PA area for a few years and assembled this car.

He told me it is a '23 which for the purists, is probably not correct. However he was a WWII Combat Engineer who survived Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and the end of the War. He earned several Bronze stars and a Silver Star. If he said it was a '23, then to me it's a '23. Very glad to have it and to keep it in the family.

I do appreciate everyone's help and input so far.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 10:37 am:

You say your a new T owner. With that in mind I would learn to drive your T and get familiar with it.
There are other things to be concerned about besides the rear axle. So I guess you decided with it to get a starting point on the condition overall of your T.

After getting you T running(it probably already is) get any minor bugs out of it. The original rear end might still be good enough to make short runs. You will find out soon enough. Jack up the rear axle and check for any axle end play and looseness.

Last and certainly not least get the Ford T service manual and any other instruction books about the car from available from this website.

DONT just start taking things apart thinking they have to be checked. You can save your self from a lot of grief by taking your time.

Have fun and good luck.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 10:40 am:

Patrick, great looking 23.... Welcome to the hobby (addiction). Be careful, they tend to multiply.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 10:44 am:

You say your a new T owner. With that in mind I would learn to drive your T and get familiar with it.
There are other things to be concerned about besides the rear axle. So I guess you decided with it to get a starting point on the condition overall of your T.

After getting you T running(it probably already is) get any minor bugs out of it. The original rear end might still be good enough to make short runs. You will find out soon enough. Jack up the rear axle and check for any axle end play and looseness.

Last and certainly not least get the Ford T service manual and any other instruction books about the car from available from this website.

DONT just start taking things apart thinking they have to be checked. You can save your self from a lot of grief by taking your time.

Have fun and good luck.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 10:59 am:

This is a good read for new T owners;
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/8538.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warren Henderson on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 11:16 am:

I strongly agree with Dick Lodge's advice, "Patrick, you should probably also consider getting in touch with the local club if you are not already. It seems to be pretty close to you." http://www.tarheelts.com/ Joining your local Model T club is the first and best thing any new or old member can do for yourself and your car.

Happy motoring,

Warren


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Fischer on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 12:09 pm:

Richard Gould, you commented that the axles should be checked for end play with the wheels removed. I'm sorta green at this rear end business and have the same concerns about thrust washers.

Is there a reason for removing the rear wheels to check for axle end play ? I just assumed that I should be able to jack up the rear of the car and check for end play by grabbing the wheels and giving them a push-pull.

Always needing to learn.

Dick


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