Differential spreader

[PaulS]

Anyone ever use a spreader?

I'm thinking of trying to fabricate one.  Does it push on the circle at the end of the axle tube (in the picture below), or on the cover screw holes?  Or does it push on the edge of the case? 



I know I don't really need one.  But after putting the carrier in and out a couple of times while adjusting backlash, I'm just not sure about the idea of pounding on the bearings...

-Paul

[1955CJ-5]

There is a good picture of one in the re-print service manual, page 200. It looks pretty simple, and it looks like it has pegs that fit into the large cast holes..

[PaulS]

Well, here it is:


(Forgive the wide angle lens distortion at the top of these images--that tube above and the threaded rod below really are straight.)

It worked well--I opened up the case by 0.018", and it made getting the carrier in and out a *lot* easier.

-Paul
And here it is on the D41:

[1955CJ-5]

Nicely done!

[ZekeD]

Slick!   What did you use for the pegs?  I assume that you indexed the holes on the casting, right?

Zeke

[PaulS]

The pegs are made of the same 3/4" threaded rod that I used for the legs. I cut 2 pieces just over 2" long and inserted them in holes drilled in only one side of the cross tubes.  There's a nut holding it in place inside the tube--the peg pushes against the far wall of the tube and the nut is on the side with the hole.  That was the tricky part--I got the nut started by holding it in a very long pair of pliers, but tightening it was more difficult...

You can see them on the picture of just the spreader--in the picture of it in use, the pegs are (of course) not visible, but you can see they don't come all the way through the tube.

What do you mean by indexed?  The pegs fit into those big holes (the one shown in my first post).   Those holes are awfully shallow, but once you put a little pressure on them, the pegs stay put nicely.

-Paul