Page 1 of 1

Front Axle

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:23 pm
by mrdibs
I noticed the other day that my adjustable front axle arms move front to back quite a bit with the weight off. Looked at diagrams and don't see any parts to prevent that other than the adjuster pin and clamps.
Normal, or am I missing something? Found a thread on here that seemed to talk about it, but the discussion didn't make much sense to me.

Re: Front Axle

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:57 pm
by Eugene
Question 1948 Cub?

Suggest jacking up one front wheel, opposite wheel on the ground. Grasp wheel and move back and fort looking for the wobble source.

The steering arm on early Cubs have a tapered pin/screw attaching the steering arm to the knuckle. It is quite common for the tapered pin/screw to be broken off and or the matching tapered hole in the knuckle to be wallowed out.

Re: Front Axle

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 5:26 pm
by Bigdog
If the clamps are not tight the assembly can move which wallows out the hole the pin goes through. If you slide the axle out of the outer tube you can check the holes to see if this is what has happened. The holes could be welded up and re-drilled. Keeping the clamp good and tight will prevent this in the future.

Re: Front Axle

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 5:54 pm
by indy61
I wish mine would move.

Re: Front Axle

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:47 pm
by John *.?-!.* cub owner
The pins are just a safety feature to prevent going nose down. the clamps are supposed to keep the axles from moving, but due to rust, etc. in the threads they frequently do not hold well if they have been loosened and retightend without the threads being cleaned or the bolts replaced.

Re: Front Axle

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:25 am
by danovercash
I wish mine didn't move. There's an axle swap in my future! (Thanks Billy Clay!)

Re: Front Axle

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:10 am
by John *.?-!.* cub owner
I forgot to finish my previous post. If you have trouble with your axles moving back and forth where they slide in and out, get 4 new grade 8 fine thread bolts and replace them, and tighten them good, do not be afraid of breaking the bolts. The pins are there to provide index points and to prevent collapsing in case the bolts come loose.

Re: Front Axle

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 11:38 am
by clodhopper
John *.?-!.* cub owner wrote:I forgot to finish my previous post. If you have trouble with your axles moving back and forth where they slide in and out, get 4 new grade 8 fine thread bolts and replace them, and tighten them good, do not be afraid of breaking the bolts. The pins are there to provide index points and to prevent collapsing in case the bolts come loose.

:Dito:

The pins are for indexing the axle only, not to prevent rotation.

Re: Front Axle

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:28 pm
by John *.?-!.* cub owner
I agree the primary reason of the pins is for indexing, but one as large as they used would not be necessary for that. I think (totally my own opinion) that they are also to prevent rotation in an emergency, such as a broken clamp, loose bolt, etc.

Re: Front Axle

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:07 am
by mrdibs
It's a '48 for the one that asked, yes. Is the down shaft supposed to be verticle or slightly back or forward? Right now it rests slighly back. The clamp alone will not prevent movement - too much sheer no?