Mitchell Installation

2

2speed

Senior Member
Putting a Mitchell in my Tudor and it's going well, except I assumed my rear had never been apart, but I pulled the drive shaft, and was prepping to pop the pinion, and the nut wasn't very tight, like finger tight, and the pinion gear was loose. Doesn't seem to be any damage, but a little weird.


What are the 2 felt strips for in the gasket kit?
 
2speed said:
Putting a Mitchell in my Tudor and it's going well, except I assumed my rear had never been apart, but I pulled the drive shaft, and was prepping to pop the pinion, and the nut wasn't very tight, like finger tight, and the pinion gear was loose. Doesn't seem to be any damage, but a little weird.


What are the 2 felt strips for in the gasket kit?
Click to expand...
Two felt strips go inside the two halves of the clamshell assembly that goes over the universal joint at the front of the assembly. They form the "seal" that does not allow grease to escape the universal joint pocket around the outside.
 
I did not see those felts when I took it apart, also the torque tube side was dry, should there be grease there?
 
2speed said:
I did not see those felts when I took it apart, also the torque tube side was dry, should there be grease there?
Click to expand...

Are you saying your u-joint was dry? As JayJay said, "Two felt strips go inside the two halves of the clamshell assembly that goes over the universal joint at the front of the assembly. They form the "seal" that does not allow grease to escape the universal joint pocket around the outside."
 
2speed said:
I did not see those felts when I took it apart, also the torque tube side was dry, should there be grease there?
Click to expand...

Look inside of the two halves of the clamshell. At the small (rear) end, on the inside, you should see a square groove. That’s where the felts go. I rub some grease onto felts before assembly, it helps them slide into their channels.

Yes, the insides of the clamshell halves, and the outside of the torque tube (the curved portion, the bell, call it what you wish) need to be lubed. That assembly is what allows the torque tube to go up and down, and twist, with the rear axle assembly. No lube means at best galling of the metal, at worst it will lock up. Neither is good. So put a good coat of grease on the outside of the torque tube bell before you put the clamshell halves on.

And the whole inside of the torque tube bell, where the universal joint spins, needs to be full of grease. Apply it generously during assembly, then after everything is buttoned up, pump another 10 or 15 squirts into the grease fitting on the bottom of the lower clamshell. You won’t see it smoosh out anywhere, so go a bit by feel. But be generous.

Another tip (and don’t ask how I know) - hang the circular paper gasket onto the torque tube before you slide the torque tube into place. Once the torque tube is in place, you can’t add the gasket if you forgot it and you’ll have to uninstall it.
 
The universal joint is lubricated by the clamshell filled with grease. The torque tube should be dry but it is usual for some of the grease from the clamshell to travel down into the torque tube.

Please read the link I provided in Post #3. Plus, if you have questions, Steve Mitchell is happy to answer them via email or telephone.

Jay Jay and I were typing at the same time. He has some excellent information.
 
Not a Model A torque tube pic, but those 3 locations should be greasy. The outer bell of mine was bone dry, and I thought that was not right.
 

Attachments

  • torque.jpg
    torque.jpg
    20.7 KB · Views: 53
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top