Rod alignment

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Pete

On race cars using an early Ford rear end, most of them broke at the weakest point, the end of the keyway.

Doesn't the keyway end right at the end of the taper which is at the end of the hub?

[johnneilson]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

Doesn't the keyway end right at the end of the taper which is at the end of the hub?

The keyway on the large end of the taper causes a stress riser and that is where it breaks.

J

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by johnneilson

The keyway on the large end of the taper causes a stress riser and that is where it breaks.

J

I agree with what you say here and it is not contrary to what I am saying. IMO, the stresses that are concentrated at the end of the keyway arise from the flex in the axle caused by a worn hub. The hubs always wear at the nut end, allowing the wheel to lean inwards at the top. That puts a bend in the axle and as it turns, the stresses eventually cause it to fatigue at the stress riser - the end of the keyway.

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
You could try putting a spacer under the seal, to move it to a new spot. We've done that on different machines with success.
Great idea, katy, thanks, I'll look into it.

I've been doing that for years on my Model As. I even have a length of copper pipe the right diameter that I put in the lathe and cut off a piece each time I need one.