Kenworth 850 Off Highway

[Lil Giants]

I wondered about that... once a hole is drill, how do you change its projectory over the length? ...small bits have so much flex to them.

[RCP57]

I drilled in from each side toward the center so luckily I only had the issue with the one axle tube. I installed bushings that are 3/8 OD so by drilling in very slowly with a 9.5mm bit I was able to get the larger bit to cut straight(almost) and in the end be able to press fit the bushings. Its a few thou out but you can shove a single axle all the way through both sides. It just doesn't turn as nicely as the other axle but I think it will be fine. When you put an axle into the diff gears from each side it spins freely. It definately made me sweat for a while though. I have way too many hours into these housings to wreck one now.

[Espeefan]

Originally Posted by RCP57

I drilled in from each side toward the center so luckily I only had the issue with the one axle tube. I installed bushings that are 3/8 OD so by drilling in very slowly with a 9.5mm bit I was able to get the larger bit to cut straight(almost) and in the end be able to press fit the bushings. Its a few thou out but you can shove a single axle all the way through both sides. It just doesn't turn as nicely as the other axle but I think it will be fine. When you put an axle into the diff gears from each side it spins freely. It definately made me sweat for a while though. I have way too many hours into these housings to wreck one now.

That's the one thing about machining the more complex parts. The ones that have so many steps, and take so long to make. The pressure to not mess it up, raises exponentially, every time you reclamp for the next stage of machining.

[ihbuilder]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

That's the one thing about machining the more complex parts. The ones that have so many steps, and take so long to make. The pressure to not mess it up, raises exponentially, every time you reclamp for the next stage of machining.

I think the worse part is when you spend hrs manually on the lathe for the 1st op only to mess it up in seconds in the cnc mill by forgetting a decimal point on z depth

looks good Reg . I see you can do abrasive machining too

[RCP57]

Haha, Abrasive machining is what I'm best at!

[RCP57]

A few minor updates.... I changed to bearings on the outside when I made the fake brake drums-backing plates. I have started making the rear leaves too but I haven't made much more progress.

Dan, Here is a picture of the plate that my father-inlaw made for me. It has an MT2 taper on the back to center it and is held down with 3 T nuts-allen bolts. I asked him last night if could make me a larger one sometime so hopefully he will. It would be nice to have a little more surface area.

Reg