Mitchell overdrive spline !!!
 

Thanks again for the previous advice I have received on Fordbarn.


I am proceeding with the rebuild of my rear end and I am trying to to a thorough job.

The double cone bearing race in the Banjo has been replaced also new bearings so the pinion preload must be set..

The car has a Mitchell overdrive and I am wanting to set the pinion preload as per "Tom Endy's Article.

The problem I have run into is trying to find the size of the 1/2 inch drive socket that will fit the Mitchel overdrive drive shaft spline.

I have a 1/2 inch drive beam torque wrench to do the job.

Does anyone know what size socket is required for the Mitchell spline and is it a six or 12 point socket ?

Thanks
Mark.

Re: Mitchell overdrive spline !!!
 

A half inch beam torque wrench most likely would be FOOT POUNDS, rather than INCH POUNDS.
For sure you don't want to mix them up.
My inch pound torque wrench is 3/8" drive. They also come in 1/4" drive.
If you have an inch pound torque wrench in 1/2" drive, it may have such a high reading that it might not be accurate or it might be hard to make out something like 10 inch pounds.

Re: Mitchell overdrive spline !!!
 

Hi Tom ,
Yes the 1/2 drive beam torque wrench is in foot pounds . Thanks for alerting me to this.
I will need to get an inch pound one.
Do you know the size of the socket that will fit the Mitchell drive shaft spline ?

Re: Mitchell overdrive spline !!!
 

I don't know but Tom Endy likely does.

Re: Mitchell overdrive spline !!!
 

Thanks Tom

Re: Mitchell overdrive spline !!!
 

I just set my rear end up with the Mitchell short drive shaft and ran into the same problem. What I did was tape a socket to the end of the shaft and then was able to use the inch pound torque wrench. Worked well.

Re: Mitchell overdrive spline !!!
 

Hi Ford1931,
Thanks for the advice. I would never have thought of this as I would have thought that the torque would cause some movement at the joint where the tape is.
Did you use PVC electrical tape ?

Re: Mitchell overdrive spline !!!
 

On a Mitchell stub shaft I put several wraps of duct tape around the spline and wedge a 36mm socket over it. The socket is a 1\2" drive so I have to adapt it down to my 1\4" dial indicator wrench. A 36mm socket is used on the rear axle nut of the old VW Bugs.

Tom Endy

Re: Mitchell overdrive spline !!!
 

Thanks from me also. I am in the middle of setting the same thing.

Re: Mitchell overdrive spline !!!
 

I used a socket very close to the diameter of the Mitchell shaft and used the green body paint tape to secure it. I think any tape would work because it doesn't take much to hold 20 inch pounds.