Austin 10 halfshaft

[Sierra Charlie]

Looking for some help and assistance please.

1936 Austin 10. Would this have the same halfshaft as a 1936 Morris 10? I know a lot of the 1960s Austin Morris vehicles have inter changeable parts but I am struggling with the Austin 10.

Many thanks in anticipation for all offers of help and advice

[peter_winney]

Austin and Morris were rival businesses until their merger into BMC in the 1950s. So no the half shaft of a Morris will not fit an Austin.

The ATDC parts operation may half a half-shaft in their stock of second hand parts. Contact them via the details on this website at Parts Depatment

Or you might ask on facebook - Austin 10 Owners Group. Someone near to you may be able to help or advise.

Have you a broken half-shaft? If it is worn taper and key-way you may be able to have it repaired.

[Sierra Charlie]

Many thanks Peter for your reply and for the link you enclose.

I dont do FB but might have to review that decision. Half shaft sheared off and broken in two places, according to the welding experts I have contacted it is not repairable

[peter_winney]

Ooh nasty. Hope the wheel did not come off too.

[Sierra Charlie]

Fortunately not.

Car was parked on drive, started up, selected gear, went to pull away.............thought the clutch had gone initially.

[peter_winney]

The design relies on the grip of the taper in the hub and the shaft being tight. The Woodruff key is only there for location on assembly. Unfortunately if the shaft comes even slightly loose in the hub it puts drive loads onto the key which over time leads to stress fractures of the keyway and surrounding metal.

At the inner end of the shaft the cornering loads are taken by bronze bushes in the differential. If hypoid oils are used in the back axle these cause deterioration of the bronze and increased wear in the bushes. Over time this allows the half-shaft to move sideways and cause fretting of the hub so it no longer holds the taper tightly, and also wear in the wheel-bearing housing.

As economist Rudi Dornbusch said: "things take longer to happen than you think they will, then happen faster than you thought they could"

[phil_taylor]

Hi,
It is much quicker to buy a used axle than dismantle your axle and replace the halfshaft. The Club did have an old used axle 2 years ago but it may have gone by now.
I am lucky that in many miles in 10s, I have yet to have a broken halfshaft. I have replaced a rear axle twice over the years with another used one.
They seem very robust so it is bad luck that it has happened to your car. Good luck.
Cheers
Phil

[Sierra Charlie]

peter_winney wrote:
> The design relies on the grip of the taper in the hub and the shaft being
> tight. The Woodruff key is only there for location on assembly.
> Unfortunately if the shaft comes even slightly loose in the hub it puts
> drive loads onto the key which over time leads to stress fractures of the
> keyway and surrounding metal.
>
> At the inner end of the shaft the cornering loads are taken by bronze
> bushes in the differential. If hypoid oils are used in the back axle these
> cause deterioration of the bronze and increased wear in the bushes. Over
> time this allows the half-shaft to move sideways and cause fretting of the
> hub so it no longer holds the taper tightly, and also wear in the
> wheel-bearing housing.
>
> As economist Rudi Dornbusch said: "things take longer to happen than
> you think they will, then happen faster than you thought they could"

Many thanks Peter for your reply and the insight as to the workings, much appreciated.

[Sierra Charlie]

phil_taylor wrote:
> Hi,
> It is much quicker to buy a used axle than dismantle your axle and replace
> the halfshaft. The Club did have an old used axle 2 years ago but it may
> have gone by now.
> I am lucky that in many miles in 10s, I have yet to have a broken
> halfshaft. I have replaced a rear axle twice over the years with another
> used one.
> They seem very robust so it is bad luck that it has happened to your car.
> Good luck.
> Cheers
> Phil


Thankyou very much Phil for your reply, although I am kind of guessing a rear axle is probably as rare as a halfshaft.

[matt_coles]

There are half shafts and complete axles, if I recall correctly, sat on the shelf at the spares unit. Give them a call and they will be able to confirm.