Rear axle questions

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Rear axle questions
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Elliott on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 09:45 am:

O.k., so I have my rear axle and drive shaft completely apart, and I need to know if I can reuse some of my old parts. I already know I need a new pinion gear because the old one is missing chunks (not good). I'm also replacing the old spool with a modern one. I'm wondering if I can reuse the original roller bearings - they all have some pitting but the rollers are within tolerance of the .500 in. Two of the bearings have a "band" wear appearance on one end. The cages are all tight. I'm also concerned about the gears on the end of the axles. One is tight but has three small flat spots on the teeth - the other is loose on the shaft and the teeth seem to be in good shape. Are these gear acceptable for reuse, or do they need replacing? And how do you tighten the loose gear? I also found what I believe to be original babbit thrust washers? By the way, the axles measure 1.061 and the key ways are nice and tight. I sure appreciate any advice on weather the parts are re-usable or if I need to replace them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 10:10 am:

Even with tight cages and good numbers, I wouldn't use those Hyatts. Just too rough. Loose gear? No good. It should require a press to remove and install. Get rid of it. The other one doesn't impress me either. I'd replace both. The spider and differential gears are often OK, but the condition of your axle gears and bearings suggests you'd better check yours carefully. I hope you're using the axle book and measuring things. Yes, those look like original thrust washers. Your picture doesn't show it, but you may find the Ford mark on them.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Elliott on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 10:39 am:

Steve, I checked the spider gears and they look pretty good - no noticable defects that I can see. Sit nice and tight in the carrier as well. Also, the ring looks pretty good too. Yes, I bought the Chaffins front/rear axle manuel - VERY helpful! Where do I get the axle gears - I didn't see them in the parts supplier catalog?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 10:45 am:

The ring gear looks really good compared to the other parts, maybe it's been replaced?
I wouldn't be afraid of using the tight axle gear, the loose one may fit on a new axle - if you need to change the axles? or it's easy to find a better fitting axle gear. Dave Huson in Colorado and some others have lots of them, I think.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 10:50 am:

Bill,

Sorry I couldn't make it to your place last weekend.

Neither of those bearings are useable. The axle with the loose gear is also toast. Just replacing the gear will probably not reestablish a tight fit. Most likely, the axle shaft is worn down too and the keyway is stretched out as well. The other axle would be o.k. if the nicks on the gear teeth were filed down AND the shaft is in good shape where the bearings ride AND the keyway & threads are in good condition.

The ring gear looks like a new one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 10:57 am:

Most of the parts dealers have used parts that aren't listed in their catalogues. If Dave doesn't have your axle gear, try Bob's, Lang's, Chaffin's, Antique Auto Ranch, etc. But first be sure it's the gear you need and not the axle shaft. If it's loose because of a worn shaft, a new gear won't help.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Elliott on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 11:14 am:

Dang, all bad news! After looking the axle over a little better it sure appears to be an over-worn keyway in the shaft at the back of the gear. When I wiggle the gear, I can see the key going back and forth in the slot. Not good. So that axle needs replacing, but the other is right on at 1.062 in. where the bearing rides and the key way is straight and the gear is tight, but needs replacing. So it looks like I will need two axle gears, an axle and four bearings right now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Loso St Joseph, MN on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 12:33 pm:

Bill,

I can help you out. Drop me a note at aloso@q.com or call me at 320-293-1953.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 12:48 pm:

You have an early differential case with those studs, and bushed spider. I wouldn't use those bearings either. You don't want anything less than .497 or .498"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 01:03 pm:

Bill,

You don't need to replace the axle gear that's tight on the shaft. At least not because of the nicks anyway.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Elliott on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 01:44 pm:

Jerry,

The problem is the gear that is tight is the one with the three flat areas - the loose one is the decent looking one but I'm thinking if it's been moving around on the shaft that not only is the key way worn but possibly the gear as well?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 02:23 pm:

If the tight one is the one in your picture, I would not worry about those three flat areas at all, just make certain there are no burrs there. One babbit washer shows some wear, so check your 'cage" for wear on the bearing areas.
Interesting, most of us have good pinon gears, but bad ring gears--you've got the opposite!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By joe bell on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 03:25 pm:

Bill, I have a collection of junk axle shafts with good gears and a few extra Hyatt bearings, you are welcome to come look.
Joe


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Elliott on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 03:39 pm:

I guess I should have posted these pictures before, but it is clear that one pin on the differential case is sheared off and there is some major grooves on that shoulder! The large opening in the differential halves measure 1.803 in.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 04:58 pm:

There is not one pin sheared off. There only ever was just one pin. The grooves are normal and are not a problem.

If memory serves, 1.803 is not bad for that bore. What is the diameter of the gear shoulder that fits in those bores? (The tight gear that is)

As David mentions, those flat spots on the axle gear are likely of no concern, just as long as any high spots are filed down.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Elliott on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 08:34 pm:

Jerry, the gear is 1.803 and the housing is 1.805 on one side and 1.807 on the other. I'm glad to hear that I don't have to replace the left differential housing because of the groove! But it sure looks like there was another pin on that left side!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Loso St Joseph, MN on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 08:55 pm:

Bill, Jerry, et al;

Per the Chaffins book, which should be read through several times, especially if this is the first rear axle your rebuilding; states the bore should be 1.812 and the axle gears are 1.806-1.807. So if Bill's measurements are true, his gear is worn .003-.004. The bore on his housings are smaller than new?

In reference to Bill's photo showing the groove:
'The diameter of the shoulder should be 2.240-2.250 inch and should protrude .270-.280 inch. This shoulder supports the steel and bronze thrust washers from riding on the shoulder of the axle gear. If the diameter is badly worn or damaged it should be welded and remachined or the part replaced.' MTFCA FRONT AND REAR AXLE BOOK PAGES 25-26

If it were mine I would find a better differential half, but that is me. It may last for 1,000's of miles as is or last 1,000's of inches.

Bill are you using a snap gauge or what to measure the bore? I find a caliper doesn't give an accurate measurement.

Just my opinion


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 09:12 pm:


The left side, which holds the ring gear, should have two pins. You can see the hole for the second pin just peeking out from behind the axle shaft. The pins and bolts should not be sheared off like this. :-)


The right side should have just one pin, like this. The pins are cheap. Even if they look passable, I'd install new ones.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Elliott on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 09:50 pm:

Andy, I am using a digital caliper and was in a hurry when I took the above mentioned measurements - sorry! I checked and rechecked the measurements again and they are both at 1.812 at the openings. The one gear I have that I hope to reuse is at 1.805.


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.
Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration