MTFCA Forum

Recent discussion -----Do early Model Ts have babbit thrust washers? When did Ford START using them? Thanks, Paul

You are referring to the clamshell 12 rear axle, right?

From the start, parts books list the 2528 thrust washer as babbitt, By Feb 1915 listed as Bronze then in 1916 changed to listed as metal. Which I'm sure is the mix of crap like pot metal that is mostly found that falls apart over time.

From 1914-15 Ford Methods and the Ford Shops:

Here's the large print version for us elderly readers.

I still have the "question"----does my unrestored 1912 touring have babbit thrust washers? I tested axle movement some time ago and there wasn`t any "play". I`ve always assumed it has metal (brass/bronze) thrust washers. Seems like this is true until aprox. 1914, per Dan T.s article. Had a similar case with my restored 1911 Touring----To the best of my knowlege, the rear axle was never rebuilt. Thanks for any additional input----Paul

My 1911 with the correct axle had babbit thrust washers. Only makes sense to me 1912 did also.

Well I would assume because a bronze thrust washer was never available as a part listed until the short period of 1915, then it would be babbitt. Then the demand for brass for the war effort made short work of keeping it. Car builders were just lucky to get enough to build radiators with brass by then.

As the thrust washers were supplanted by bronze in 1915, we might confidently assume the early ones were indeed a true babbitt alloy. The clipping above showing machine methods on babbitt washers would seem to attest to this.

Here's the thing : the post 1915 "babbitt" washers were not babbitt of the type of alloy materials used in mains and rod bearings. They were "pot metal" i.e., lead/zinc/antimony/etc. Variations which could be "precision cast" obviating the need for machining. In the main, they served perfectly well for many decades, but the alloy is subject to guaranteed, literal self-destruction with time, causing the grief of rear axle failures in later years when they began disintegrating. First indicator is the appearance of the "grey death" in the differential lube.

Not all “potmetal” is bad. That’s actually a generic term. Back in the day it was a miracle metal. Diecast is another term, but that means just what you think. Items were cast in a metal die to very close tolerance. There are antique auto items I stay away from like the plaque. Most , but not all A-C speedometers, for one. Some late Stewart speedos are another. However, there are also a good many items that are good to this day if you are careful with them. From my memory, I believe the additive of lead to the potmetal mix was/is the culprit. It’s called intergranular corrosion. That’s where the “potmetal” appears to be growing in size and cracking. My feeling is the ford washers have all done their duty well, but like a player piano, they just ain’t gonna work no mo after 100 years!!