MTFCA Forum

I had my 1915 tourings rear end up on jack stands and noticed a fair amount of free play between when I rotate one wheel before the other one starts turning the other direction. What should be the max? It does have a Ruckstell but not engaged. Thanks

Don't know about a Ruckstell, but my experience with Ford rear axles is that there should be no free play, would think it is the same with a Rux. If you have a lot of free play you have a serious problem and should not drive on it until it is addressed. Things that come to mind that could cause a lot of free play would be a sheared axle key or keyway at the wheel or the differential, one side or both.

bobt wrote: ↑

Wed May 07, 2025 6:08 am

I had my 1945 tourings rear end up on jack stands and noticed a fair amount of free play between when I rotate one wheel before the other one starts turning the other direction. What should be the max? It does have a Ruckstell but not engaged. Thanks

Between the clearance in the ring & pinion, and in the differential gears, and maybe in the u-joint, there can appear to be what seems like a lot of free play at one wheel, while the other is held still. The Ruckstell only adds more clearance to the equation. Also, if you checked this without someone holding their foot on the brake, you also add in the backlash of the transmission. After all of that, also realize that the action of the differential gears will multiply the movement of just one wheel turning by a ratio of 2:1.

None of this means that nothing is wrong. But it is normal to have some degree of rotational free play. So, just how much have you really got... 1", 3", 8"?

This is a 1915 not a 1945 (age related!) I'm guessing about 8" of play. I checked the play in my 1926 Roadster and it was about 5". It also has the Ruckstell. Bobt

Hi Robert,
I just went out & jacked up my speedster ( has a Ruckstell ) with one wheel on the ground in high gear there is 3 3/8" rotational play. checked
both sides & they are =
Craig.