MTFCA Forum

With the touring season kicking into high gear, I want to mention a oft-neglected check that may save you big trouble and $$. When was the last time you checked the tightness of your rear axle nuts? In my opinion, loose nuts are the main cause of damage to the taper of your axles and even your wheel hubs. I've seen scored axles, wallowed-out keyways, cracked keyways, etc., etc., and that's just from helping a few other guys with their Model T's! Take a minute and check yours. If the nut can be turned, it was loose. While Ford never specified a torque for axle nuts, most guys think around 90 ft-lbs or so is appropriate. Put the wheel on, tighten the nut, drive 50 miles or so and tighten again! Even if you haven't pulled your wheels recently, it doesn't hurt to re-check the tightness at least annually.
I've attached a photo taken in Denny Newman's shop. Those are all axles being replaced for one thing or another. There are some new ones in the pile but you get the idea. The other photo shows a keyway with some big chunks missing. Fortunately new axles are available for a reasonable cost. The new ones are 1/16th of an inch longer which helps if you go with floating hubs or disc brakes. Don't be like the guy in the last photo.

I'm the guy in the last photo!

That was likely an original axle (the 1960s 'Restorer' replaced very few parts), and snapped across the diameter where the original-style felt seal metal retainer would ride.

I had replaced the failed babbitt thrust washer some years earlier but reused the original axle shafts. Both shafts were replaced with new ones following this incident.

Heading out to the garage now to check my nuts...

Chris, sorry for not checking with you first. The photo popped up on a google image search. One of the guys in our club forgot to install a cotter pin in one of his wheel nuts. After a short drive the nut loosened and the wheel fell off...on a busy street of course. Nobody thought to get a photo - they were too busy dodging cars.