help with swing axle trike
Adsman - September 14th, 2007 at 08:21 PM
Im posting for a friend regarding a trike running swing axle VW transaxle coupled to an EJ motor. He has trouble with the rear wheel bearings
colapsing every few years and also oil leaks on the tube at the wheel end. The bearing and seals have been changed a few time before with different
brand parts. One thing believed to be causing the problem is rear end shake when cross railroad lines or hitting bumps. IRS cant be fitted to this
trike due to fuel tanks and engineering. Are there any ideas out there for stiffening up the rear end on trikes? I though maybe fillet plates on the
frame horns? Has anyone done this?
RISKY_VW - September 14th, 2007 at 09:37 PM
yeah i have the same prob with the oil leaks
and keep replacing the seals not sure about the bearings
would it have somthing to do with the extra power ?
what swing box is he running
pete wood - September 14th, 2007 at 10:29 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by Adsman
Im posting for a friend regarding a trike running swing axle VW transaxle coupled to an EJ motor. He has trouble with the rear wheel bearings
colapsing every few years and also oil leaks on the tube at the wheel end. The bearing and seals have been changed a few time before with different
brand parts. One thing believed to be causing the problem is rear end shake when cross railroad lines or hitting bumps.
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Not sure where I heard this, but someone mentioned using double seals on bearing housings with this issue. Also, check the axle shafts. If they are
too worn that will make leaks worse between the bearings and the axle shafts.
As for the bearings, the olderstyle ones on swing axle cars are BALL bearings. Roller bearings are stronger as I understand it. Get him to go and talk
to his local bearing specialist about the problem. They may be able to put him onto a tapered roller bearing that will be stronger.
| Quote: |
Are there any ideas
out there for stiffening up the rear end on trikes? I though maybe fillet plates on the frame horns? Has anyone done this?
|
The easiest thing is the kafer cup style braces.
a few people have made these out of old tie rods so they are adjustable. As far as suspension goes, thicker torsion bars are also available, but I
can't see you needing them on such a light vehicle.
Hope this helps. 
mackaymanx - September 14th, 2007 at 10:43 PM
A bent axle will cause oil leaks and premature bearing failure.
Pete you have to use ball bearings because they locate the axle (axially)
Adsman - September 15th, 2007 at 12:17 AM
thanks pete that looks like a very interesting setup, I will have to do some research and check to see if it will fit around the tanks/body.
MickH - September 15th, 2007 at 01:16 AM
A bent axle is a high probability....Is this the twin turbo trike??
Adsman - September 15th, 2007 at 08:15 PM
No Mick only an EJ18 due to your fav engineer 
:vader
Although a twin turbo setup sound like a blast......maybe with dual wide tyres and a mean set of wheel bars 