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Sprite Rear Axle with Wire Wheels

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MikeAH100M

MikeAH100M

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I received some great assistance from friendly Sprite folks at Carlisle this year. Was having a problem with rear axle on my 1960 Sprite. Turns out that the car had been converted to wire wheels without changes to the rear end so the axle does not fully engage/slid into the diff due to axle length being used to slide into the wire wheel hub. I found a machine shop that can remedy the problem (puch out axle, re tack weld, machine off splines so the bearing can fit). My question - how long should the reset axle be? Does someone have a non-wire axle that they can measure (rear of hub to the end of the axle)? Any help would be appreciated.
 
Mike,
you can add about 1/2" to each axle. What type of problem are you having? This is a pretty common sway with few problems.
Rut
 
MikeAH100M said:
I received some great assistance from friendly Sprite folks at Carlisle this year. Was having a problem with rear axle on my 1960 Sprite. Turns out that the car had been converted to wire wheels without changes to the rear end so the axle does not fully engage/slid into the diff due to axle length being used to slide into the wire wheel hub. I found a machine shop that can remedy the problem (puch out axle, re tack weld, machine off splines so the bearing can fit). My question - how long should the reset axle be? Does someone have a non-wire axle that they can measure (rear of hub to the end of the axle)? Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...


See my Tech link "Spridget Specs" under the "Specs" drop down menu. Scroll down to last section "Rear Axle Assembly". You will see overall width is 1 inch less overall.

https://gerardsgarage.com/Garage/tech.htm
 
I am getting a "pinging" noise in the rear on start and acceleration. Ruled out bearings, wire wheels, springs and diff.
 
How about tightening the spring mount plates behind the seat and two that need to be reached from underneath on each side. Was certainly an issue on my '68.
 
I am getting a "pinging" noise in the rear on start and acceleration. Ruled out bearings, wire wheels, springs and diff.
 
It is clearly coming from the rear end. Occurs when I let the clutch out on start and lower gears and is just a single metallic "ping".
 
Thanks. I will check that while I have it up in the air.
 
MikeAH100M said:
It is clearly coming from the rear end. Occurs when I let the clutch out on start and lower gears and is just a single metallic "ping".
Click to expand...


That typically comes from a worn hub splines or broken/loose spoke. It's very hard to localize, but I've only hear tat noise on wire wheels cars. If you tighten up all your spring and axle attachments and it doesn't go away, go back to looking at wheels/hubs.
 
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