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Sambamon
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2025
Posts: 20
Location: Palm Beach FL
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 Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2026 12:17 pm Post subject: Axle Tube Install On My 1965 Swing Axle |
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Hello All,
I am installing the axle tubes on my 1965 swing axle and right now I have gaskets that measure about .008. and about .012 thick. No matter how I arrange them, I can't get the right feel on the axle tube when the flange is torqued to 14 ft. lbs. I know it is supposed to have a little bit of drag when shimmed properly. With what I have it is either too tight or too loose. I can use one .012 gasket and one .008 gasket to get about .020 thickness and with that setup the axle tube has no end play (cannot move it in or out) but it is a loose fit when moved side to side or up and down and has no drag. Is that acceptable?
Thanks |
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2861
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2026 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: Axle Tube Install On My 1965 Swing Axle |
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| Sambamon wrote: |
| ...the axle tube has no end play. Is that acceptable? |
Yes, no endplay with free movement is good. Maximum endplay for the axle tubes is .008".
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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Sambamon
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2025
Posts: 20
Location: Palm Beach FL
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2026 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Axle Tube Install On My 1965 Swing Axle |
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| rcooled wrote: |
| Sambamon wrote: |
| ...the axle tube has no end play. Is that acceptable? |
Yes, no endplay with free movement is good. Maximum endplay for the axle tubes is .008". |
OK Rcooled. Thank you. So having some drag in the movement is not critical I guess... |
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Sambamon
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2025
Posts: 20
Location: Palm Beach FL
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| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 10:02 am Post subject: Re: Axle Tube Install On My 1965 Swing Axle |
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| rcooled wrote: |
| Sambamon wrote: |
| ...the axle tube has no end play. Is that acceptable? |
Yes, no endplay with free movement is good. Maximum endplay for the axle tubes is .008". |
rcooled, is it better to use wave washers or lock washers under the axle tube flange nuts? |
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Schnitzelfuss
Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2024
Posts: 222
Location: North Alabama
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| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 6:43 pm Post subject: Re: Axle Tube Install On My 1965 Swing Axle |
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| That loose feeling will snug up a bit when you add a smear of sealant to the paper gasket and torque all six nuts to spec. If you have zero perceptible end play on the tube and free movement (you did install the daisies when checking right?) then you’re good. |
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Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 26400
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 11:43 am Post subject: Re: Axle Tube Install On My 1965 Swing Axle |
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| Sambamon wrote: |
rcooled, is it better to use wave washers or lock washers under the axle tube flange nuts? |
Wave (really called spring washers) washers do not chew out material of the tube flange with each installation and removal. Flange is thin enough as is.
If you are having some tight spots with the axles moving up and down, you can cut out a paper shim out of copy paper that is about .002" and see if that takes out the tight spot.
Hopefully you took the time to flatten/straighten the flange out, especially around the mounting stud/nut holes. Needs to be as flat as possible to seal up properly. Too many DPOs and Mickey Mouse mechanics in the past will have over torqued and dimpled those areas causing leakage.
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In Stereo, Where Available! |
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