u-joint wear
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
-
Topic author - Posts: 149
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:19 pm
- First Name: Donald
- Last Name: Goodwin
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 touring
- Location: Medina Ohio
- Board Member Since: 2018
u-joint wear
How much wear is too much on a u-joint before it is worn out?
-
- Posts: 1302
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:42 pm
- First Name: Frank
- Last Name: van Ekeren
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 touring, 1916 pick-up, 1924 coupe, 1926 touring, 1927 touring
- Location: Rosedale Vic Australia
Re: u-joint wear
By Ford specs, if more than .006" it's scrap.
-
- Posts: 3298
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
- First Name: Larry
- Last Name: Smith
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
- Location: Lomita, California
- MTFCA Number: 121
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 16310
Re: u-joint wear
Don't forget to pack the u joint area with a light grease.
-
- Posts: 523
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:12 am
- First Name: Joseph
- Last Name: M
- Location: MI
- MTFCA Number: 0
Re: u-joint wear
Frank is right on; Ford Model T Service, paragraph 591, "If there is over 0.006" clearance between knuckles and rings a new universal joint should be installed."
The rear axle booklet that is published by the MTFCA on page 17 says "The four bearings should also be tight with no more than 0.010 - 0.020 inch clearance."
While doing the most recent rear axle overhaul I was fortunate enough to have a N.O.S. Ford universal joint and the clearance was 0.0025" to 0.003" depending on which trunion/knuckle you would check. There is quite a discrepancy between the Ford specification and the MTFCA booklet, 0.006" versus 0.010" to 0.020" of clearance. If anyone has a new replacement/reproduction universal joint on hand, I would definitely be interested in knowing what the new manufacture ones are coming in at.
And Larry is right, don't forget to pack the u-joint bell at the front of the driveshaft housing, prior to re-installation. After I would run a newly installed u-joint (rebuilt rear axle) for a little bit, I would always add some more grease. The spinning and centrifugal force will spin out some of the grease and create a void in and around the u-joint, pack it back through the grease cup.
"Remember son, there are two ways to do this: The right way, and your way” Thanks Dad, I love you too.
LOOKING FOR A LUFKIN No. 9A Height Gage Attachment.
LOOKING FOR A LUFKIN No. 9A Height Gage Attachment.