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Play in Differential Housing
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:44 pm
by GeorgeHounslow
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
Re: Play in Differential Housing
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:51 pm
by speedytinc
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.
Re: Play in Differential Housing
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:53 pm
by Kerry
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.
Re: Play in Differential Housing
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:25 pm
by GeorgeHounslow
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
Re: Play in Differential Housing
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:41 pm
by Jerry VanOoteghem
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.
Re: Play in Differential Housing
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:48 pm
by speedytinc
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.
Re: Play in Differential Housing
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 4:31 pm
by John kuehn
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.
Re: Play in Differential Housing
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:22 am
by jab35
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
Re: Play in Differential Housing
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2023 3:41 pm
by GeorgeHounslow
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