Dealing with Hal f-shaft Breakages
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THIS week's prizewinner is Mr. G. Taylor, of Widnes, Lanes, who is a mechanic for a fleet of Leyland Comet bulk tankers. All the vehicles, he writes, are fitted with Eaton rear axles and have a high rate of half-shaft breakage, because of the type of ground on which most of the deliveries take place. In all cases the break is at the spline end, and the pieces of shaft invariably fall inside the case. To save time and the trouble of being towed home, Mr. Taylor had to find a way of getting the broken pieces of shaft out as easily and quickly as possible. The use of gear for removing the diff. was prevented by the vehicles usually being on soft, wet ground. A
problem is that the only way into the case is through the diff, unit opening, but, he says, he has worked out a quick, easy method of doing the job with a minimum of equipment.
After releasing the prop-shaft flange and removing the diff, set bolts, insert five evenly spaced 4-1-in, by t-in. B.S.F. bolts and then draw the diff, unit forward by hand on these guide• bolts. The broken shaft end can be recovered by removing the oil filler spout (three nuts) and hooking out the offending piece of metal. The whole job generally takes less than an hour—much less than it would take to locate another vehicle for towing. purposes. Although I use this idea only on our Leylands, says Mr. Taylor, it must apply equally well to all vehicles fitted with Eaton two-speed axles, or on axles without a detachable rear cover.
Comments Handyman: This is quite a good idea and one which can be a real time saver. I know of the problem, but have never tackled it this way, having always considered it wise to have the diff, right out in case of odd fragments left inside the unit. Nevertheless, if Mr. Taylor has inspected both broken halves and is satisfied the break is clean, his idea has real merit.