MTFCA Forum

I am installing new axle shafts in a Ruckstell Axle. I have encountered a strange outer bearing. It has a lock ring just inside the hub at the outer end of the axle housing. There is an allen screw with a locking nut at the inner end of the bearing. I have removed both. I was also able to remove the axle housings from the axle shafts by using a puller and pushing the axle shafts inward. The bearings seem to be moving smoothly so I do not think they need to be replaced, however, I haven't found a way to remove them from the housing. I don't know whether there is an inner seal. The only reason I have disassembled this axle is because the keyway on the end of the axle is worn out and the wheel wobbles. Is there a way to remove the bearings from the housing? Would there be an inner seal to be replaced?
Norm

I'd be interested to see a few photos of this arrangement. Sounds quite different from 'standard' arrangement.

Pictures of locations of Lock ring and set screw.

Are those the "free floating" hubs?

Thats a ball bearing conversion/replacement. The snap ring keeps the bearing in the adapter sleeve. Unfortunately. the conversion butchers the housing. No turning back. That adapter sleeve should pull out once the set screw is removed. Pry up @ the edges.There are typically O-rings around that sleeve inside the housing.
Somebody's misplaced notion of an improvement over Hyatt bearings. I have seen a nasty axle break & fender damage from using these things. The outer bearing edge creates a shear point as opposed to Hyatt's spreading the load over the full length of the bearing.

Were it mine, I would be looking for a new pair of uncut axle housings

If you want to save the housings, you could install a set of safety hubs- a much better solution than what you have now.

And to add: you'd want to use a set of an McEacherns at that !!!

Steve

I think that's an excellent idea particularly considering the potential expensive investment in another Ruckstell housing that replacements would entail. Real money is going to be involved in replacing that thing one way or another.

I've never seen a McEachern floating hub (that I'm aware of), but would trust it based on other products I've seen of his. Quality stuff and well thought out.

Agreed. Dan's stuff is outstanding.

I am surprised that the ball bearing lasted as long as it did, given the amount of bearing misalignment due to the shaft bending. I looked into using a ball bearing and concluded that it would not work without special internal geometry.

The bearings turn smoothly without slop. We got them out and are going to install new o rings. I have several right hand standard housings, however the left side would need to be cut and riveted to fit with the Ruckstell housing. We have it almost back together again now. If the owner wants to replace the housings it up to him. At this time we just replaced the axle shafts with the brand new longer ones. Since his problem was with the wheel scraping the bolts and the brake shoes because he has rocky mountain hubs which hold the parking brake drums closer to the housing. At this time that is all we are planning to do and a couple hours tomorrow we should be finished. Thank all of you for your comments. We actually tried to push the axles in from the inside which pushed out the bearings so problem is solved.
Norm

Norman- best of luck- what you have there is a classic fatique testing machine that will prove out the theory of fully reversed bending in a rotating shaft.

I seem to recall a bearing set-up similar to those which might have been made by Gene Wright in Oregon 30 - 40 years ago - they utilized an eccentric of some sort to lock into the housings and were an absolute bugger to remove.

At least with safety hubs, the wheel wont fall off. I would agree that this is a good option to re-use your cut housings.

Dan McEachern wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 11, 2021 12:04 am

Norman- best of luck- what you have there is a classic fatique testing machine that will prove out the theory of fully reversed bending in a rotating shaft.

Agreed. A fellow chapter member broke an axle using these. The bearing wore a groove in the axle, thereby weakening it till it broke.

We got it together and it went home yesterday. Only fix would be to replace the backing plates on the end of the housing which would be a very expensive job. The old axles didn't show any wear at the bearing area, but on one end the keyway had been damaged so we replaced the axle shafts. I agree that this arrangement was a very expensive and destructive change to the bearings which did not serve any useful purpose and was like so many other changes which once made you cannot go back without another expensive change. Anyway, the owner of the car can later change it if he is willing to spend for the correct parts.
Norm

As long as the customer receives full disclosure, you have done all you can. This could be very serious on that 1 winding mountain road. Murphy says thats when it will fail.
A signed release of liability might be wise to cover your behind in this era of litigation.

This was done without charge. I was helping another member install new axle shafts. We found the situation as we disassembled the Ruckstell. He is fully aware of what he has and what it would take to fix it back to Ford standards. If he chooses to do so in the future, it is entirely up to him. We found no wear problems with the shafts where they go through the bearings. The only problem was the keyway on the outer end of one axle and we put in the longer axles so we would not need the shims because of the Rocky Mountain brakes.
Norm