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Old 02-07-2016, 03:21 PM   #31
cmbrucew
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North of sandy ago, CA.
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Default Re: Who has actually broken an axel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by tubman View Post
After I broke my axle, I violated your rule 4. I decided to put shorter, mild steel keys in the axles. After that, I sheared several keys, but never broke another axle. I now know this violated one of the cardinal rules for old Fords, but back when I didn't know any better, it served me quite well. I carried a couple of my spare keys and the proper tools in the car and got to the point where I could replace a key and be back on the road in 5 minutes. Some fighter planes (I think the Grumman F8F) used this theory. They had explosive bolts holding on the wingtips that the pilot could blow off if he exceeded a certain speed in a dive. This would decrease the stress on the wings, reducing the chance of the entire wing tearing off. There are more examples of designed in "weak points" around. Shear pins in older outboards come to mind.
I always ground a groove on GM blower quill shafts, and had unkind words for those who did not.
Bruce
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