Ital live axle upgrade

Caterham Graduates have comissioned Rakeway to produced a modified Ital axle along the lines of the Morgan race axle they already do. ---------------- The current single rolling element bearing is replaced by a double rolling element bearing. A new hub extends within the bearing. A shoulder on the hub contacts the outboard end of the inner bearing race. The new bearing spacer contacts a shoulder on the halfshaft. When the halfshaft end nut is tightened the inboard end of inner race of the bearing is then held against the new bearing spacer. The outer bearing race is trapped between the new bearing housing and the new bearing collar. The outer end of the internal bore of the new hub is splinned and driven by a splines on the halfshaft. The inner end of the hub bore is a sliding fit onto the hub. The inner shaft seal remains unchanged. A new outer seal is fitted in the recess outboard of the bearing and runs against the new hub. Result - The keyway (currently the failure initiation site) and taper are eliminated and the halfshaft remains at full diameter for its full length. Bending forces are transmitted through the hub to the bearing rather than as currently from hub to the halfshaft and on to the bearing. Bending stresses in the halfshaft are minimised. The halfshaft will effectively transmit only the drive torque. No modification are required to the existing axle tubes. The brake backplate bore has to be increased to clear the bearing. ---------------- We are placing a bulk order for these axle modifications early next week at £625 +VAT for Caterham Graduates; the price will significantly increase after this initial run. If you are interested in purchasing this modification kit please email me ASAP (although I'm away at Spa over the weekend). Edited by - graeme smith on 30 Sep 2009 18:51:19