Found out that the shafts I bought a few weeks ago had the gear keyway cut to the wrong size. These were they 1/16" longer option shafts. Will have to send them back to the vendor. So ... where can I buy shafts that are actually cut with both the gear and hub keyways in the proper dimension?

I've often wondered the same thing. It looks like maybe John Regan will have to be called on to do it right! I have original Rocky Mountain Brakes on all my cars, and if anything the axel shaft on the Rocky side should be 1/16" shorter!

Golly, I thought that all of the vendors obtained their axle shafts from the one same manufacturer.

OH DEAR!

If the keyway was cut wrong the vendor should replace it which they probably will. I had an issue with a new axle in my 24 Coupe and the vendor was quick to replace it with another axle. That was a few years ago.

The vendor had sent me a new axle with the gear end cut to the high end of Ford's specification. My original gear was cut to the low end which resulted in a no go situation. The vendor found out of the 50 or so axles he had that 3 were cut to the high end of the Fords specification. The one he originally sent me was one of those.
He replaced it with no charge or problem. He later contacted me and told me he had removed the other 2 axles from his inventory.

I bought quite a few from Snyder's that were correct but that was years ago. I used to buy them from Chaffins. Haven't bought any from anybody for quite awhile but my thinking is that I would check with a vendor who actually works on T's like Bill at Birdhaven or Ross Lilliker who is probably in the shop right now working on a T something or other. They are the guys who will know who has the good stuff.

Just reconfirms why I make my own

THe keyways in Snyder's current shafts are correct. The keyways in Mark Auto's shafts are too long and will damage the outer seals. I do not know of any other source. We use to make them but currently are not.

I'd guess the next question is; are they made of the right material? If too soft, the bearing areas will wear down prematurely; if too brittle, they will break prematurely.

Snyder's current on- line catalog page for the rear axle. 4140 steel. Has to be better than an old worn out original Ford axle.

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/model-t-axle-shaft

I recently bought four new axles from Langs. So you guys had me scared . . One pair I have already installed in my 27 touring that is our "tour car" Had no problems with the gear keys. They were a tight fit, and the gears pressed on tightly. Just went out to make sure the hub key ways were OK and not too long. They were OK and will not hurt the outer seals. The second pair I bought about a month ago, for the speedster project, and received one axle and the other was back ordered. I received the back ordered axle a couple days ago. So those axles are probably from different manufacturing runs. They are both OK. Gear keys will fit tight, and the hub key ways are not too long. So it seems I dodged the bullet. All four axles are the 1/16 inch longer axles. Have fun and be safe ...

I purchased two from Bob's and they were spot on. The correct diameter and perfect key ways. These were USA made and have served me well. I know they were spot on as I installed the Timken taper bearing inserts in my '12, and they fit perfectly.

just sayin'

brasscarguy

Who is selling the crappy ones?

I bought the axle from Bob's Antique Auto Parts. I explained the problem and we compared notes on the measurements of original axles, keys and keyways. These axles were also too large in shaft diameter. This was not a batch problem as it was with the hub end axle keyways in the past but an isolated incident. Must have been a bad day at the manufacturer. They asked me to send back the axles and are getting two from Snyders for me. Very nice of them.

Bob is one of our best parts dealers. A stand-up guy. He's also the source of several parts all the dealers sell.

I think most everyone selling repro axles are selling import junk. Bob's axles are US made and as I stated above they were spot on in length, taper, and outer bearing size.

just sayin'

brasscarguy

Texas T made thousands. They offered both regular length and one about 1/16" longer.The longer ones should work just fine.

You can call Mark Freimiller, he sells good used original Ford axles:

http://modelthaven.com/

The ones with Ford script in the keyway are the ones that you want. They are made of carbon steel, superior to the earlier vanadium steel axles.

I learned something interesting awhile back. The earlier axles are slightly larger between the bearings. I found out, because when I went to slide the Ruckstell sliding clutch gear over it, it wouldn't fit, so I had to go to my supply of parts and get a NOS axle.

I know the longer ones from Snyder's works well with the small drum Rockies and the disc set up out there, the caliper on the disc gets often close close to the wood wheels.

Working drawing of the Ford axle: