Chip, Nice summary!
I think I understand the work that you & Jack put into this.
We will miss you at VTR but understand the siren call of SCCA racing.
Does this take some pressure off of a couple of your friends in their
quest for FTD in the VTR autocross?
Print Fax here is 319.292.4951 Put my name on it...community fax.
BTW, Uncle Jack is off-line for about a week while he and Frances jet
off to Idaho for a well earned vacation.
I watched the E-Production Runoff tape again this week. Boy you got a
lot of coverage!
Later,
> ----------
> From: Chip Bond[SMTP:spirals@esinet.net]
> Sent: Friday, November 07, 1997 11:49 AM
> To: 'fot@autox.team.net'
> Subject: axle order
>
> Hi all,
>
> Sorry to say that for the last three years, some SCCA race has
> conflicted
> with VTR. And I guess there is no reason to think 98 will be any
> different.
> Oh well.
>
> And what an active list this has become! More average posts, as of
> late,
> than vintage or even brit cars. Great.
>
> I'm pleased to announce that we have 16 axles on the list and should
> be OK
> with the minimum order from the supplier. I just tried to call them
> but all
> of their sales staff was out for a "big trade show". I'll try Monday
> and
> report back.
>
> For those of you who may be wondering what this project involves: In
> the
> spring of this year, we decided to look into the possibility of
> reproducing
> the TR3-4 axle shaft with an eye toward improved durability and, of
> course,
> cost. Uncle Jack and I parterned up and developed a working drawing,
> material and heat treat specification that was sent to about 10 shops
> for
> quotation. Most declined to quote. A couple others offered quotes that
> can
> be taken as nice ways of saying "no thank you" ($400+ per). One well
> regarded firm came back with a cost of $145.00 ea. Resonable we think.
>
> The axle design is very similiar to the original with the major
> modification being an increased radius at the bearing stop which
> necessitated a seperate relieved collar to be press fit over the
> taper. It
> was felt that this area was the critical stress area. We hope this mod
> will
> eliminate fracture here. In addition, most of the other radiuses were
> increased as well. The stake mark for the keyway was eliminated
> (should
> have been 40 years ago).
>
> The axle should be a bolt in change using the same seals and bearings
> as
> original.
>
> We looked into various alloys and Uncle Jack even went so far as to
> call in
> a favor from an associate metallurgist that really knows his stuff.
> The
> recommendation was good old 4140 with zone induction hardning in 2 key
>
> areas, the spline and the taper.
>
> We feel this will be a cost effective improvment over the original
> "British
> steel" axles. The also will have 100% of their cyclic life. They will
> not
> be a bolt it in and forget it upgrade and should be included in your
> regular tear-down inspections. Crack test on an annual basis, please.
>
> I have the quote print on hand and would be happy to fax it to anyone
> that
> has an interest. Just let me know.
>
> It's pouring outside, wheres my surfboard.....
>
> Chip
>
>
>
>
>
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