Front Axle Shim Adjustment

[don best]

If i remember correctly, there was a post about adjusting the , either the rezeppa or bendix axle, with shims. I've tried to search it but get brake adjustment and all kinds of non related posts. Could someone tell me how to find it or tell me where the information is located? I have a new rezeppa coming and want to be ready to install and adjust. TIA

Don GPW 269838

[Ed Menees]

From TM 9-1803B
Pg 83
(1) RZEPPA TYPE AXLE SHAFTS. Install a 0.060-inch thickness
of shims between the drive flange and the hub. Place the drive flange
on the axle shaft. Install the six cap screws that secure the drive
flange to the hub. Install the castellated nut on the axle shaft. In-
stall the hub cap on the drive flange.
(2) BENDIX OR TRACTA TYPE AXLE SHAFT (fig. 73). Place the
drive flange on the axle shaft. Install the castellated nut on the axle
shaft and draw it down tight. Turn the front wheels to the maxi-
mum left or right and measure the space between the drive flange
and hub with a feeler gage (fig. 73) to determine the number of
shims to be installed. Remove the nut from the axle shaft and re-
move the drive flange. Add the required thickness of shims between
the drive flange and the hub. Install the six cap screws that secure
the drive flange to the hub. Install the castellated nut on the axle
shaft. Back off the nut on the axle shaft until a OJO-inch feeler gage
can pass between the nut and drive flange. Tap the nut on the axle
shaft lightly. The axle shaft will mcve inward. Again check the
space between the nut and drive flange. The space should not be
less than 0.015 inch or more than 0.035 inch. If the space is less
than 0.015 inch, add shims behind the drive flange and hub until this
limit is obtained. If the space is more than 0.035 inch, remove shims
from the drive flange until the above limit is obtained. Draw the
nut on the axle shaft up tight. Install the hub cap.

[don best]

Thanks Ed for the info. If i could ask one more question. Is there a gasket or sealant between the drive flange and hub or is it metal to metal?

Don GPW 269838

[Ed Menees]

Don,
The only gasket I see in the TM is for the rear axle shaft. I would say there is no gasket on the front.

[pt22 flyer]

Related to this...

Is there a way to tell externally what type axle shafts are installed without taking them apart? I would like to check the adjustment on mine, but not sure which are installed.

Thanks,
Greg

[John 63]

I don't think you can tell what type of shafts are in there without taking them apart. Originally there were ID tags on the steering knuckles attached with two of the knuckle seal bolts. But even if those are still present, you could not be certain that someone hasn't changed the shafts at some point during the last 60 or so years. It is not uncommon to find two different types of shafts in the same axle.