Using old axle for a trailer...

Post by **Matt** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:29 pm

There was a bit of debate about this at a recent SADMOG meet...

I have an axle casing with a diff in it (the diff has been promised to someone on here) and I would like to build a trailer for the mog.

If I use the axle without the diff will the wheelbearings be able to cope with the load on their own without the support from the diff end of the halfshaft?

Im not thinking of making a particularly heavy trailer, it definately wouldnt take more load than would be on the back axle anyway

Post by **8009STEVE** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:32 pm

With no diff, then the half shafts will be floating in the axle casing at the diff end.
Anybody want to guess on how long this set-up would last?
I will start. Not long.

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:39 pm

8009STEVE wrote:With no diff, then the half shafts will be floating in the axle casing at the diff end.

I would cut the shaft off just leaving the hub end plate.

Post by **Matt** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:48 pm

well... my idea would be to loose the 1/2 shaft totally although there is probably some reason why thats no good!

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:05 pm

The end plates clamp the outer bearing race into the hub I believe, as well as keeping road muck out.

Post by **8009STEVE** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:08 pm

to loose the 1/2 shaft totally

Sounds good to me. Anybody know why not?

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:12 pm

8009STEVE wrote:Anybody know why not?

See my last reply. The plate on the end of the halfshaft stops the hub coming off the wheel bearing.

Post by **8009STEVE** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:15 pm

Sorry Alex. We were both posting at the same time. Mine got there before yours.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:16 pm

If I use the axle without the diff will the wheelbearings be able to cope with the load on their own without the support from the diff end of the halfshaft?

If I remember correctly (not always!) the rear hub has a single bearing, not a twin - therefore it only works safely if the half shaft aligns it square. Therefore without the half shaft I wouldn't want to use it for long.
If a hub has twin bearings then it should be able to support load safely with or without the half shaft.

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:24 pm

rayofleamington wrote:If I remember correctly (not always!) the rear hub has a single bearing, not a twin - therefore it only works safely if the half shaft aligns it square.

Ah, good point. It is a single bearing. Perhaps you could obtain a scrap diff and remove everything except the bearings that support the halfshafts? Although come to think of it, you wouldn't get the oil splashing around inside and lubricating the bearings if you did that.

Post by **neiltomlinson** » Wed May 14, 2008 9:46 am

hi matt i made a 4 door in to a trailer useing the rear half

i was going to leave out the diff & cut the half shafts down but i was told if you do this there will be to much load on the wheelbearing so i left the diff in all i did was remove the crown wheel[ 6 bolts ] put loads of greese on the bearings then refited the diff had no problems you can pick up a cheep diff neil

Post by **Matt** » Wed May 14, 2008 7:08 pm

Thats what I thought

Sadmog were arguining the point ;)

Post by **paulk** » Wed May 14, 2008 9:14 pm

Who us?

Post by **Matt** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:10 pm

Yes ;)