Thread: Help - Removing Swivels with Tracta joint half shafts

Originally Posted by jedwards

Gentlemen,
I am attempting to renew the swivel and Oil seals on the front axle of my 1953 S1 80". Everything was going well until I can to removing the swivels themselves. My Workshop manual (1948-1958) only refers to the later half shafts with Uni-joints that pull out as a unit to allow the Swivels to be removed.

Do I simply drive the swivel flange away from the axle flange and eventually it will drop free and allow the swivel housings to be removed so a new seal and retainer can be fitted, or will this damage something or leave the half shaft bear rattling around inside with no way of refitting?

I am stuck, not knowing what to do and find the workshop manual totally ignores this quitter critical and common issue.

regards
Jeff
Perth, Western Australia

For axles with Tracta joints.
.W.

HI BSF, thanks for the input. I did manage to get the swivel housing and half shaft out, by driving the swivel housing flange outwards with a hammer and a piece of soft pine.

What confuses me is that the Part Manual shows a bearing and a distance piece that support the half shaft at the diff end. My Shaft came out along with the Swivel housing but without these components attached to the diff end of the shaft.
Does this mean that they have fallen into the diff housing and need to reinstalled back onto the half shaft from inside the diff housing?

There is not enough detail in the parts manual drawing to know what happening inside the diff.

I’m hoping someone else has faced this issue and knows how to reassembly it properly.

regards
Jeff

I hope this helps.Shown is an early swivel with taper roller bearings top and bottom
.W.

Originally Posted by B.S.F.

I hope this helps.Shown is an early swivel with taper roller bearings top and bottom
.W.

Good morning BSF,
Many thanks. that helps clear things up for me somewhat.
Any idea what year that may have been from? I'd like to get hold of the workshop manual for that periods I have something to work from, but I would need to know what production period that may have been.

regards and thanks
Jeff
Perth, Western Australia

This is an original 80" manual. I believe LRSOC sells reproductions.
.W.

Apologies for hogging the forum, but I am worried that I am digging myself into a hole!

With he help of BSF, I sorted the “getting things apart” but I now have question about reassembly.

With the Swivel ball, stub axle and half shaft as single unit, I now carefully feed the stub axle into the axle housing, ensuring I don’t damage the Oil seal. All going well.
I then rotate the stub axle slightly to mesh the splines on the axle with those of the diff wheel.
It slides in about 10mm then stops dead. I had expected it to slide nicely all the way in, but it is quite firm and about 15mm from where it needs to be to be able to be bolted up.
I’ve tried rotating the half shaft to different points to see if it is keyed with the diff wheel, not seemingly not.

So, Do I drive it all the way in with my well used piece of timber and a hammer or if there something not quite right about my approach.

With nothing on this early type of tracta joint in the Workshop Manal (1948-58) I am stuck with guess work, which is not a comfortable place for me.

Has anyone worked on these Tracta joint hubs and can tell me the right way to reassemble?

Many thanks in advance.
regards
Jeff

From the manual.
.W.

Many thanks BSF, super helpful.

Would you mind telling me which manual that information came from? I have the LR offical Manual #4291, which is supposed to cover the early Tracta type half shafts, but not a word on the Tracta at all.

You clearly have the manual I need to get, so can you share the details?

Many thanks
Jeff