still searching for right axle

[Big Al]

thanks for the replies to my previous question best axle for honda500vt still having problems sourcing
reliant axle or toyota starlet axle could get axle of bedford rascal so advice needed off all you technical bods out there would it be any good?
if so what size wheels would suit best

[DougieT]

I initially used a Bedford Rascal van axle in my xj 900 diversion trike, found the gearing to be way out. over reving. Then changed to Mk2 Escort axle with 3.77 diff fitted, with 15 inch wheels 65 series tyres, still over raving, near 5000 revs at 50 Mph in 5th gear.
A 3.54 Diff is available for the escort axle but I think that would still not be low enough.
Now in the process of fitting an atlas axle from a ford capri with 3.09 diff, so hoping this will make a big differance.
Might be useful to find out what the Final drive ratio for your bike is and then get an axle as near to that as you can.
The 900 Diversion has Final drive ratio of 2.909.

[here's_Mike.R]

I'm intending to put belt drive or chain drive between the dif flange and the end of the prop shaft. This will serve 2 purposes. The first one being the gearing problem and the second one being that I don't like running the prop shaft at any angle other than straight, as it stresses out the universal joints. This should be easy to do on a hardtailed trike, but not so easy with moving suspension.

[Blackjack]

.............I don't like running the prop shaft at any angle other than straight, as it stresses out the universal joints...........

I'm curious. What exactly do you think Universal Joints are for?????

If you don't run them at an angle there is a tendency to "hammer" the needle rollers which wears the bearings in them out rather quickly.

The front and rear flanges should be parallel, and the joints should be correctly phased with each other, and preferably of identical sizes.

[here's_Mike.R]

How much of an angle should they run at?
Actually, if you have a straight prop that doesn't need to move with the suspension - i.e hardtail - you shouldn't need UJs at all.

[weldy]

I don't like running the prop shaft at any angle other than straight, as it stresses out the universal joints. This should be easy to do on a hardtailed trike, but not so easy with moving suspension.


hhmmm a strange one this so your saying that the suspension on the donor vehicle (i.e. car) over stresses the uj's ..even though they are designed to run at variable angles quickly and reliably in a suspensioned (??) motor ???

oh well then


weldy
:cool:

[here's_Mike.R]

Do UJ bearings wear out?
If so, why do they wear out?
Anyway, my main point was the gearing issue.

[Sir Ewok]

Staying outside the argument, I can say that UJ's definately wear out. I have had occassions to change UJ's on several cars, especially an old Vauxhall velox that my mate bought at auction without a test drive. We found out why when he collected it. It drove like a camel, up, down, up, down, etc. When the UJ's wear out, they tend to rattle, jam and cause undue stress on the diff and gearbox bearings. When fitting a prop check for backlash at the diff, if it is knackerd, change the bearings (at the ends of the four arms).

[sportybj]

Ive found robin reliant axles are the best if ya interested i mite be able to get hold of one if ya want just let me know

regards

andy :D