From: IAN MOORCRAFT(UK)[email protected]
Date: 01 Mar 2001
Time: 06:11:43
Remote Name: 213.122.239.57
Greg, Thanks for the extra info, if you had not already said that you put in new bearings I would have suspected that they where worn, however once you take an axle apart it is very difficult to get it in the original mesh pattern, the new bearings will hold it in a different position than before, on all 7 axles that I have rebuilt, I have "never" been able to get any sensible result with marking blue (though as I said before I have not rebuilt a Big 7 axle) I have never had a set of new crownwheel/pinion to work with, only good second hand so that may explain it. One thing to remember is you are better off with a bit too much backlash rather than being too tight or you will definitely damage the teeth, usually chipping the corners off the large end of the pinion teeth. Austins used a jig to set the distance of the pinion shaft at the factory, If you look on the end of the pinion you will see a number, for example "24" this meant that the distance from the jig that fitted inside the banjo and the end of the shaft was 24 thou., dead easy if you have a jig!!!! they do exist, has anyone got one out there? I worked with an old fellow years ago who told me that in the 1930s when he set up Model T Ford axles that had been running he would put the silver paper from a packet of cigarettes between the teeth to get the best running position with worn parts!!!!. Regards Ian