Play in Rear Axel

[Big Jimmy G]

Hi guys.

I've just fitted the optional lower motor bulkheads (part AS 160) to my Calandra and there is a lot of play in the rear axel now.

I think it is play between the ride height adjusters and the bulkhead, but changing to different ride height adjusters has not cured the problem. I even tried changing the bearings in case one of them has given up but it still wobbles....

I did notice that the left hand ride adjuster was a much easier fit than the right side. Anyone else ever had this problem or know of any cures?

Thanks,

James

[mark barord]

Is the axle loose up and down or side to side?
(If you get what I mean)

[Big Jimmy G]

It's loose front to rear and up and down (if you look from above the car).

There is little or no play side to side - I took that out be sliding the left hup close to the bearing.

James.

[rice98w]

unless there is play in the axle-bearing-holder mouns then chnaging the bulkheads won't do anything to the play in the rear axle....


check your axle.... i had an IRS yellow fibreglass axle last year and play developed where the bearing was actually sitting on the axle, i have since not used another IRS fibreglass axle since that.

maybe you only noticed the problem after fitting something new? as before you wernt reallt paying attention to that part of the car?

[Big Jimmy G]

I've got the yellow IRS fibre glass axel on at the moment - it came with the car. I think I have a carbon Associated one about some place, I'll try that one and see if is works better.... Thanks for that tip.

James

[mark barord]

It sounds as if the play is in the fitting of the insert in to the side plate. Have you tried any different ones. I believe the trinity ones are slightly larger than the Associated ones.

[Big Jimmy G]

I'm using the Associated ones at the moment and it does not seem to matter thich ride height I choose, there is still play. As I said, they are a much looser fit in the alloy (finger tip pressure is enough to get them in in and a good shake drops them out).

I'll try some Trinity ones - do they do an equivalent of the super low Associated #4 one?

James

[acurry]

Big Jimmy G

my son has just finished building his new Calandra and he has had the same axle problem there is around 2thou of an inch play.
he is reverting back to the graphite three bolt axle instaed of the irs axle.
i am mailing crc will let you know of the outcome.

Alan

[Big Jimmy G]

OK, so here is the latest. Just fitted the standard Associated Graphite axel and there is now no play.

I tried to measure the two axels and even with verniers it was almost impossible to work out exactly how much smaller the Irrgang one is. However, if I set the verniers to a snug fit on the Irrgang it would not slide over the Associated axel. If I set them to a snug fit on the Associated then there was play on the Irrgang.

Conclusion - the Irrgand axel is a slightly smaller diameter than the Associated one it is meant to replace. Having said that tho, I did the measuring on the important bit - where the bearings run. Has the axel worn here or has it been compressed or squashed.....? Either way it is not exactly satisfactory. I can see a few snotty e-mails heading for Irrgang..... hehehehe

James

[acurry]

Jimmy


the difference is less than 2 thou of an inch if you put the calandra version in same happens as with associated no play waiting for a reply from calandra.

Alan

[Mark Stiles]

What if one was metric and the other was imperial? (just a thought)

[Big Jimmy G]

Good point, Mark, but as far as I know they are both imperial. If anyone can put me right on this....

I've just done a whole load of measurements along the axel and it is significantly thinner where the bearings run. In fact, it is about 4 thou smaller in diameter here! I am thinking that I might have had a sticky bearing at some time and it has worn here......? But it is like this on both of the areas the bearings wear....

I will be swapping to an Associated asap. Does anyone know if there is a complete axel / diff kit available and a part no. for that?

James

[Big Jimmy G]

Sure enough, I now have a new Associated axel fitted and running and there is absolutely no slop anywhere.

I put it down to the fibre Calandra axel wearing, perhaps when one of my bearings stuck a bit. Oh well, live and learn....

James