Play in Differential Housing

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GeorgeHounslow
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Speedster 1916 Tourer
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Play in Differential Housing

Post by GeorgeHounslow » Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:44 pm

Hi All,

I have just stripped down the axle on my 1916 tourer. I notice that the half shafts with the half shaft gears attached rock up and down against the spider gears. I'm assuming this shouldn't happen - any idea of possible cause?

Many Thanks
George Hounslow


speedytinc
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Re: Play in Differential Housing

Post by speedytinc » Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:51 pm

Its wear in the differential housing where the axle gears ride & a loose or gone fiber washer between the axles.
The clearance between the gears & diff is .005" 1.812" holes & 1.807" gear shoulder diameter.


Kerry
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Re: Play in Differential Housing

Post by Kerry » Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:53 pm

Gear case is worn, they can be machined and bushed, the very early ones had bushes from new then Ford changed them for the axle to run just on the casing. You might find that the spider gear is worn in the case as well.


Topic author
GeorgeHounslow
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:56 pm
First Name: George
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Speedster 1916 Tourer
Location: Salisbury,England

Re: Play in Differential Housing

Post by GeorgeHounslow » Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:25 pm

Thank you for your quick and very useful replies, I've been back out and measured the I.D of the gear case which come out as 1.811 and 1.812 left and right side respectively. The gear shoulders come out as 1.806 and 1.807 left and right side respectively.

The spider gears and spiders all come out as 0.745 and 0.740 respectively- is this within tolerance?

There was also one metal disc in between the two axle ends - I believe you can fit more than one?

Many Thanks
George


Jerry VanOoteghem
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Re: Play in Differential Housing

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:41 pm

GeorgeHounslow wrote:
Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:25 pm
Thank you for your quick and very useful replies, I've been back out and measured the I.D of the gear case which come out as 1.811 and 1.812 left and right side respectively. The gear shoulders come out as 1.806 and 1.807 left and right side respectively.

The spider gears and spiders all come out as 0.745 and 0.740 respectively- is this within tolerance?

There was also one metal disc in between the two axle ends - I believe you can fit more than one?

Many Thanks
George
I would say that sounds fine. These are not Swiss watches. :)


speedytinc
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Re: Play in Differential Housing

Post by speedytinc » Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:48 pm

I dont concern myself with spider gear wear unless its visually obvious. I dont recall ever having an issue other than the spider gear holder being loose in the diff housing. It should be held snugly.
The disk between the axle ends was originally fiber. You can use fiber, brass, phenolic, T-6 aluminum, a steel washer, a ball bearing, etc.
When properly spaced, the axles should just turn freely.


John kuehn
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Re: Play in Differential Housing

Post by John kuehn » Wed Feb 01, 2023 4:31 pm

The small fiber washer can make a difference! More than a few T rear ends have been rebuilt
and still have a “little end play” and been pulled apart again because of it. It may be that other things being worn can cause issues but that little washer is put it the gasket sets for a reason.


jab35
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Re: Play in Differential Housing

Post by jab35 » Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:22 am

This topic was recently discussed on the forum and the majority opinion was the current replacement fiber discs are too thin, using two (or more) thin spacers is not recommended, and, it's best to custom fit a single brass spacer to take up the end-to-end clearance. Personally, I would never use 'a steel washer or a ball bearing' for this purpose. jb


Topic author
GeorgeHounslow
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:56 pm
First Name: George
Last Name: Hounslow
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Speedster 1916 Tourer
Location: Salisbury,England

Re: Play in Differential Housing

Post by GeorgeHounslow » Sun Feb 05, 2023 3:41 pm

Thank you very much all for the responses, they are much appreciated, I will double check all the measurements and probably make up a brass spacer and see what effect that has.

Many Thanks
George

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