quote:Originally posted by Bosswrench:
Note also that the problem is NOT with the bearings: the stock axles were fabricated 0.0005" undersized at the factory for some odd reason, which took away the required press-fit. Then with corenering loads, 300+ bhp and frictional heat, the soft axles began fretting in the extremely hard bearing races, wearing away the axles. Wilkinson's current replacement axles restores the needed press-fit and are made of better steel (EN-36) than OEM, fixing both problems.
Can I ask for some clarification on an issue here.
An owner in Oz recently purchased a WIlkinson axle for his failed rear LHS. When delivered it measures 39.99mm
When I removed my axle to temporarily repair the damage, it measured 40.04mm
0.05mm is quite a lot and it has me concerned. The Oz owner does not now need the new Wilkinson axle and I can buy it from him and have it in a day or two, but why would a brand new axle from Wilkinson be slightly smaller in the shaft size that the one already in my car.
If the bearing is a true 40.00mm inner, then it will not need to be press fitted to slide onto a 39.99mm shaft.