105 So.
406-962-3573
Axles
Most new
vehicles are equipped with roller bearing axles as shown here. An advantage in roller bearing axles is less
frequent maintenance and adaptability to hydraulic brakes.
These come in sizes from 1” to 2½” as measured at the
square portion of the axle and are often referred to as ‘standard track’ and
‘wide track’. The standard track will
measure about 48” between spindles and the wide track will measure close to
54”. Overall lengths are available up to
75” by special order.
1” and 1 1/8” are common to most light vehicles such as
doctor’s buggies and phaetons. The
surreys, spring wagons and Vis-à-vis will have the 1¼” sizes. Vehicles which accommodate more passengers,
such as wagonettes, ought to be up to 1½” size. When you go into the light coaches the 1¾”
axle is appropriate, while the larger coaches, drays and freighters will
require the larger 2” to 2½” axles.
|
1” roller
bearing axles $154.00/pr 1 1/8” roller
bearing axles $166.50/pr 1 ¼” roller
bearing axles $204.00/pr 1 ½” roller
bearing axles $245.00/pr 1 ¾” roller
bearing axles $371.00/pr 2” roller
bearing axles $560.00/pr |
1” roller
bearing stubs $35.00/ea 1 1/8” roller
bearing stubs $37.00/ea 1 ¼” roller
bearing stubs $39.00/ea 1 ½” roller
bearing stubs $41.00/ea 1 ¾” roller
bearing stubs $59.00/ea 2” roller
bearing stubs $81.00/ea |
(all
axles and stubs come with bearings, seals, nuts and washers)
Pictured here is
the boxing style axle commonly found on older original vehicles produced here
in the
|
1” old style
axles $166.00/pr 1 1/8” old
style axles $184.00/pr 1 ¼” old
style axles $201.00/pr |
1” old style
stubs $32.00/ea 1 1/8 old
style stubs $34.00/ea 1 ¼” old
style stubs $36.00/ea |
Often the question is, “When is it beneficial to change from old style to roller bearing style
axles?”
When originality is not the issue and maintenance
is a concern, roller bearing axles are something to consider. When a roller bearing axle conversion is
considered, one must also realize that different wheels with hubs that
accommodate these axles will be required.
(Since the Timken bearing did originate in the buggy era, there are a
few originals out there, but not real common.
Some of the heavy tanker wagons also came equipped with ball
bearings.)
Question; “Does a
buggy or wagon pull easier with roller bearing axles?”
You will not notice a difference in how a vehicle pulls until
you get into the larger class vehicles.
An old style axle, when greased properly, will pull quite easily. The draw back here is the routine maintenance
to keep these axles greased properly.
Question; “Can I
just cut off my old spindles and weld on new roller bearing spindles?”
Spindles are less expensive than full length axles;
however there are additional welding expenses and time involved in gauging the
axles again for gather and swing (caster and camber). If you are doing this conversion yourself and
time is not the issue, then you will have less expense. But if you have to hire a welder to help you,
the full length axles will be less expensive in the end.
Another option
for larger worn out axles is to replace the axle with roller bearing and also
place a roller bearing boxing into the old hubs. There are limitations to this approach,
especially in light vehicles. Because
the roller bearing boxing is machined to accommodate bearings, it is
significantly larger than many small boxings and hub
size limitations will not allow its insertion.
As a general rule, a wheel has to have 1¼” spoke or larger to have a hub
large enough for this approach.
|
#1 roller bearing boxing $29.00/ea (fits 1” & 1 1/8” axles) #2 roller bearing $52.00/ea (fits 1 ¼” & 1 ½” axles) #3 roller bearing boxing $94.00/ea (fits 2” axles) |
Here in the
west we see a large number of farm wagons, chuck wagons, sheep wagons, etc.
that have worn out axles, or gears with no wheels because someone has put them
in a flower garden. Shown here is an
approach of insetting a 2” roller bearing axle up into the old wooden axle
thereby making a useless gear usable again, keeping an authentic look.
Whatever your
axle problems are, there is usually an answer to it. If we can help you out, we’d be happy to.
Dave and Diane Engel
ENGELS COACH SHOP
105 So. Main
406-962-3573
(Top)
(Home) (History) (Photos) (Catalog) (Wheels) (Classifieds) (FAQS) (Videos) (Contact us)
Copyright2008 Dave Engel All rights reserved