New Spindle/Rzeppa Axle Clearance |
Post Reply |
Author | |
Ankle Deep
Member Joined: 30 Mar. 2023 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 9 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 30 Mar. 2023 at 6:11pm |
Hello to the forum. I’m in the process of rebuilding the steering knuckles etc
on my 1946 CJ2a. I purchased new
spindles and upon reassembly I discovered that the splines on the end of the Rzeppa
axle shaft exceed the inside diameter of the new spindle. The new spindle will not slide over the axle.
The wall thickness of the new spindle tube is greater than
the wall thickness of the OEM spindle. That accounts for the reduced diameter. I contacted the supplier and he stated “we don’t have that
problem here”. I explained that the splines
on the end of the axle have additional, inboard “bump outs” on each spline. These bumps are the cause of the
problem. It’s my recollection that he
repeated the phrase, “we don’t have that problem here”. Well, that wasn’t much help because “I have
that problem here”. So, I asked if
grinding the bumps flush with remainder of the spines could be a solution. His
response was non-committal…more of a “a guess that may work”. At that point I decided to let him get back
to the mass marketing of third world parts and do some thinking. I have attached some photos. Any thoughts on a solution from the experts on the forum? Is the removal of the “bumps” until flush with the remained
of the spline a possible solution? Thanks in Advance!
|
|
SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A
Member Sponsor Member x 3 Joined: 22 Jan. 2016 Location: S.E. Kansas Status: Offline Points: 3190 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Let me guess...Kaiser-Willys supplying Omix-ADA parts?
|
|
46 CJ-2A #64462 "Ol' Red" (bought April 1969)(second owner)(12 V, 11" brakes, M-38 frame, MD Juan tub)
U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer(ret.) U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and damned proud of it. |
|
TERRY
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 22 May 2007 Location: BOULDER COLORADO Status: Offline Points: 3400 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Betcha the spindle is Omix-Ada. And what is wrong with your old spindles?
Edited by TERRY - 30 Mar. 2023 at 7:30pm |
|
BOULDER 48 2A
|
|
Bruce W
Member Joined: 29 July 2005 Location: Northeast Colorado Status: Offline Points: 9651 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Don’t tell me, let me guess - Omix-ADA?
I wouldn’t do that without some serious research, and you have started that. Are you running stock drive flanges or lock-out hubs? If lock-outs, what brand? Does the new spindle have a bushing in the inner end? Does the bushing have a flange? Are these factory original Rzeppa axles or aftermarket? If you grind them off, tightening the nut will draw the axle out through the flange or lock-out gear until the nut or washer contacts the end of the spline or until the housing of the Rzeppa joint contacts the inner flat surface of the spindle. If the former occurs, there will be nothing to prevent the axle from drifting on out until the joint contacts the inner flat surface of the spindle. I need to look at a Bendix axle, but I’m sure they have the same stops, or bumps. BW
|
|
It is NOT a Jeep Willys! It is a Willys jeep.
Happy Trails! Good-bye, Good Luck, and May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to You! We Have Miles to Jeep, Before We Sleep. |
|
Oldpappy
Member Joined: 09 Apr. 2018 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 4905 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
That new spindle looks quite a bit thicker. I came up with something a week ago that I believe is a later OEM replacement axle. It has the Rzeppa joint, does not have the bumps, does not have the threaded end, but does have a C clip groove. |
|
If you can't get there in a Jeep you don't need to be there!
|
|
Oldpappy
Member Joined: 09 Apr. 2018 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 4905 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I will go down to the barn in the morning and look at that later Rzeppa axle I have, to make sure it doesn't have the bumps.
Setting end float is not as critical for the Rzeppa joints, as it is with the Bendix joints. I am thinking you could probably get away with grinding off the bumps, but I want to think about that a little more before I agree with the idea. It is funny to me that most folks think the Spicer joint is superior, and it may be in some ways, but I think the Rzeppa was the best of the lot. Were it me, I would look for original spindles in serviceable condition. Edited by Oldpappy - 30 Mar. 2023 at 11:35pm |
|
If you can't get there in a Jeep you don't need to be there!
|
|
Ankle Deep
Member Joined: 30 Mar. 2023 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 9 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Re: questions Kaiser-Willys supplying Omix-ADA parts? Yes,
I assume so… And what is wrong with your old spindles? Tattered
threads. Are you running stock drive flanges or lock-out
hubs? If lock-outs, what brand? Lock-out hubs. There are no identifiable markings on the hub
(photo attached). Does the new spindle have a bushing in the
inner end? Does the bushing have a flange? Yes, with a flange. Are these factory original Rzeppa axles or
aftermarket? Unknown.
Were it me, I would look for original spindles in serviceable condition. I
have a spindle in serviceable condition but is has the old-style bronze bushing
without a flange. I also have a new bushing
on hand that has the flange. I agree, I’m
thinking plan A should be to swap out the bushings and go that route. I tried tapping the bushing out but it isn’t
moving. Any advice on removing the old
bushing? Thanks all for the input. |
|
Bruce W
Member Joined: 29 July 2005 Location: Northeast Colorado Status: Offline Points: 9651 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have replaced those bushings a few times and they can be a bear to get out. I put the spindle in a vice and cut a slot in the bushing with a small cape chisel. If you use the nut on the end of the axle and properly set the end play, you won’t need the flange on the bushing.
BW
|
|
It is NOT a Jeep Willys! It is a Willys jeep.
Happy Trails! Good-bye, Good Luck, and May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to You! We Have Miles to Jeep, Before We Sleep. |
|
SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A
Member Sponsor Member x 3 Joined: 22 Jan. 2016 Location: S.E. Kansas Status: Offline Points: 3190 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Bendix axles do have the same "bumps" on the outer axle stub. They would have originally rested on the back side of the drive flange when the axle nut was tightened. I would imagine that the Rzeppa axle outer axle stub was similar in design. the purpose would have been in both cases to limit the in and out axle "float". |
|
46 CJ-2A #64462 "Ol' Red" (bought April 1969)(second owner)(12 V, 11" brakes, M-38 frame, MD Juan tub)
U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer(ret.) U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and damned proud of it. |
|
Oldpappy
Member Joined: 09 Apr. 2018 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 4905 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The axle I pulled last week with a Rzeppa Joint is a later axle which was apparently used as a replacement on a 47 CJ2A I parted out.
As said above it does not have the stops/bumps, and does not have the threaded end like the earlier version. It does have the C clip groove and is drilled and threaded on the end. This one was installed with an early drive flange and a bolt with washer/shim was used instead of the C clip. The spindle does have the later flanged bushing. After thinking about it some more I advise against grinding the bump/stops off of that axle. The later version has a bearing surface on the cone for riding on that spindle bushing flange. That combined with the bolt or C clip is to keeps the axle from floating in or out. The earlier version used those stops keep the axle from floating outward, and inward float was controlled by the nut and washer/shims. Since the earlier spindle bushing do not have the flange I doubt the cone has provision for that. I never think it a good idea to modify a good original part to make it work with an incorrectly made reproduction part. Again, I suggest you find a serviceable original spindle. Here are some pictures of the later axle I have. Edited by Oldpappy - 31 Mar. 2023 at 3:12pm |
|
If you can't get there in a Jeep you don't need to be there!
|
|
Ankle Deep
Member Joined: 30 Mar. 2023 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 9 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thank you sir!
|
|
Oldpappy
Member Joined: 09 Apr. 2018 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 4905 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
A good original spindle shouldn't be difficult to find. I suggest posting a WTB in the forum classifieds.
|
|
If you can't get there in a Jeep you don't need to be there!
|
|
Bruce W
Member Joined: 29 July 2005 Location: Northeast Colorado Status: Offline Points: 9651 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Oldpappy said: “I never think it a good idea to modify a good original part to make it work with an incorrectly made reproduction part.”
Hear, hear! BW
|
|
It is NOT a Jeep Willys! It is a Willys jeep.
Happy Trails! Good-bye, Good Luck, and May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to You! We Have Miles to Jeep, Before We Sleep. |
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |