What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

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NorthSouth
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What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by NorthSouth » Tue Jul 30, 2019 6:16 pm

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RE: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Hello Fellow Model T-ers,

Thank you for looking at this post.

I will be traveling 5 hours round trip to Alpine CA next month, hauling the Ruckstell rear end out of my 1915 Touring, for the purpose of replacing a bent driver's-side axle, and will be doing this under the generous instruction of a seasoned Model T mechanic. It is my intention to tear this rear end down and rebuild it during a single visit and not have to make that drive twice.

Therefore, my question is; assuming that all the major components of this well preforming Ruckstell (other than the bent axle of course) are in good condition, what parts am I likely to need when reassembling it?

Steven at Lang's Old Car Parts helped me with the following list.
Do any of you see that I might want to have any additional parts, etc, on-hand in order to to streamline this project?

Current Parts List:

1. Two new Lang's axels 1/16" longer than stock to accommodate my large drum Rocky Mountain Brakes.

2. Two felt type outer hub seals.

3. Two 'modern type' inner seals to prevent rear end oil from contaminating the breaks.

4. One Ruckstell rear end housing gasket kit with 3 drive shaft spacers, 2 fiberboard axle spacers, and 1 oil plug gasket.

5. Two sets of hub shims, (one set of each available thickness). Hopefully, the new Lang axles will eliminate the need for these but we will have them on-hand just in case. ...However, if they do end up on the ends of my axles that fact will be kept hidden from Larry Smith. "He hates those f#*ken things".

6. Differential oil.

Can you envision that I might want to have anything else on-hand?

Thank you very much for considering this question.

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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by ChrisB » Tue Jul 30, 2019 6:52 pm

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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by Les Schubert » Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:22 pm

So how did the axle shaft come to be bent?
Depending on the answer,this could significantly affect the answer to your question


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NorthSouth
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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by NorthSouth » Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:50 pm

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Thank you very much for your inquiry.

In answer to your question, I really don't know. But it's definitely bent. Larry Smith, my father, and I pulled the wheel and set a gauge next to the axle threads. It wobbles out of line about 3/8 of an inch.

My suspicion is that it may have been bent before my father and I bought this car six months ago. I don't notice it at when driving, even on long tours. It's only the people traveling behind me that notice it.

Otherwise, it's possible that it got bent on Joss Sanderson's Southern Arizona tour. Before I learned not to go racing across cattle guards.

This is all the forensics I can offer.


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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by Les Schubert » Tue Jul 30, 2019 8:06 pm

So one question then is what type of axle/hub bearings do you have. Because it is highly probable that it will be damaged.


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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by modeltbarn » Tue Jul 30, 2019 8:08 pm

There's a vey good chance you will find additional items to replace, no matter what your list..... i certainly wouldn't buy a bearing and thrust plate before opening it up, that's a lot of cash you may not need, but you won't know what you do need until you examine everything. You may need thrust washers, seals, and the pins hat hold the thrust washers in place. You may need axle bearings, and you don't want the replacement non-Hyatt style.... you may need a set of Ruckstell bolts, but until you check them for stretched threads you won't know. You're almost guaranteed to need items you don't buy unless you buy a lot more parts than you need. Most places can ship priority mail very reasonably. You're better off waiting to place your order.


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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by Original Smith » Tue Jul 30, 2019 9:42 pm

Steven: Why not wait until you get there! Then you will know. Ruckstells rarely need servicing if taken care of. If you are getting those awful long axle shafts, you certainly don't need shims. If the new style Rocky Mountain brakes were made correctly, you wouldn't need to worry.

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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by TonyB » Tue Jul 30, 2019 9:59 pm

Steve, rather than the felt oil seals at the axle ends I would recommend the proper neoprene seal 2510NB, available from Lang’s among others. Yes and you know where with original smith😊, he is certainly allowed his opinion but it’s YOUR car.
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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by tdumas » Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:05 pm

You will be 2 hours from Chaffins in Corona. They would have any Ruckstell part you might need.
You should check your axle housings and make sure they are not bent.


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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by StanHowe » Wed Jul 31, 2019 9:59 am

Imho based on about 70 rebuilds
Replace the bronze plate. Everything locates from that one piece and the bearing.
Replace the bearing. 7212 becby or similar angular thrust.
You can usually find new top quality ones on eBay for 30-40 bucks.
Replace the pin set.
Replace the ring gear bolts.
Everything you can usually get by with.


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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by Norman Kling » Wed Jul 31, 2019 10:59 am

I recommend you buy the axle shafts since yours are short anyway. Also the seals. We won't know what else we need until it is torn down. No need to buy a lot of expensive parts unless necessary. We are only a couple hours from Chaffin's who makes Ruckstell parts and he should have anything else needed to fix it. The bearing sleeves could be ordered too. They are easy to replace. If you need roller bearings, I might have some good used ones.
Norm


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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by NorthSouth » Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:50 pm

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Thank you Norm,
I will do as you advise.


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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by Erik Barrett » Wed Jul 31, 2019 5:03 pm

Stan’s advice on a new bronze plate is good. If that thing is bent or dished it is impossible to get correct gear mesh without resorting to questionable methods. A wise investment and new ring gear bolts too for sure.


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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by Original Smith » Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:42 am

When pressing on the ball bearing to the brass plate, but sure to place something under it to prevent dishingl


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NorthSouth
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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by NorthSouth » Tue Aug 06, 2019 9:29 pm

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Original Smith,

Thank you for that cautionary tip regarding the ball bering.

BTW, I spoke with Chaffin Garage in Corona and they will let me have all the parts that I could possibly need for this rebuild up front and only charge me a 10% restocking fee for the parts we don't use. I will be passing their store both going to and returning from Alpine CA.


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Re: What Parts Should be Pre-Ordered When Replacing an Axle in a Ruckstell?

Post by otrcman » Wed Aug 07, 2019 3:27 pm

Whatever you pre-buy, you are almost certain to need something more. When John Semprez did my rear end a couple of years ago (and a fine job he did), he would call me from time to time and tell me what he had found and what I needed to order and have shipped to his house.

Seems to me, the only part that got re-used was the drain plug. And it was the wrong year !

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