The Ford Barn

Joe K · 03-03-2025, 08:40 AM

Axles ARE subject to breakage. A common original place was from stress concentration at the "groove" that the axle shaft seal makes.

Another failure point that has been noted are the aftermarket "replacement" axles which are made with a loose gear probably welded to the axle shaft. This part was originally made "solid" by mushrooming an axle shaft and then shaping/cutting the gear from the blob at the end.

If I had axles in the repop style, I would certainly be interested in a clip such as is shown.

Axles I use, I generally grind down the shaft while held between centers to remove the "stress transition" at the seal groove somewhat. One has to go at this judiciously since one IS reducing the "torque area" of the shaft in so doing. An "ease of stress concentration" is probably more important than entire groove removal.

Joe K

03-03-2025, 08:40 AM	#4
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,612	Re: Brake drum (axle) retainers for Model A Mechanical raking Axles ARE subject to breakage. A common original place was from stress concentration at the "groove" that the axle shaft seal makes. Another failure point that has been noted are the aftermarket "replacement" axles which are made with a loose gear probably welded to the axle shaft. This part was originally made "solid" by mushrooming an axle shaft and then shaping/cutting the gear from the blob at the end. If I had axles in the repop style, I would certainly be interested in a clip such as is shown. Axles I use, I generally grind down the shaft while held between centers to remove the "stress transition" at the seal groove somewhat. One has to go at this judiciously since one IS reducing the "torque area" of the shaft in so doing. An "ease of stress concentration" is probably more important than entire groove removal. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.