Having just acquired a very solid Locost chassis I'm considering using a live axle instead of rear wishbones for my oldtimer replica to avoid
cutting and welding a really nice chassis. The track width needs to be close to the original 1220mm dictated by the exact replica bodywork.
I've googled and considered a number of live axles online but I'm wondering if anyone has recent experience of buying a narrow live axle
which would do the job? I've got 16in wheels with 6in width and 40mm offset but if I had to change for a different offset I can live with
that.
Thanks
Adrian
Hi junior builder
Just googled 1936 BMW 328. Sure is a cool looking car.
Clubman sports car locost builders have in the past used Escort Mk 1 live axle: 1270 mm track, or Escort Mk 2: 1298 mm.
Getting a little hard to get these days, but worth a go.
Good luck.
Thanks 
Sadly, even a track of 1270 will probably mean the tyres will foul the rear wings - unless I can find wheels with a smaller offset, but I will measure
up carefully in case. As you say, they are getting hard to find now. I've found a FORD-POPULAR-100E-COMPLETE-BACK-AXLE-ANGLIA-PREFECT- on ebay
but the diff looks a bit dinky - whilst I'm only planning on road use I know older cars had narrower tracks so I'm hoping there is something
out there which was designed to take more torque.
Cheers
Adrian
Is it worth looking at the Bedford Rascal/ Suzuki Carry axle, that must be pretty small?
quote:
Originally posted by Dingz
Is it worth looking at the Bedford Rascal/ Suzuki Carry axle, that must be pretty small?
You need a Ford 105 Anglia van axle. At 46" flange to flange it's 2" or 50mm narrower than a Mk1 Escort. Diff housing is the same as the Escort, except that it's slightly lighter. Just as strong though. Anglia 105e saloon or Estate axle is even narrower at (I believe) 43"flange to flange.
Many thanks to everyone for these inputs, a great example of the willingness to share knowledge by members on this site.
I hadn't considered the various microvans and it's clearly a good source of axles - there are quite a lot of options, all with slightly
different widths.
I've just taken a big leap and purchased an MGB rear axle with hubs, brakes etc. on ebay. All that remains is for someone to tell me this was a
bad idea and why!
Cheers
Adrian
Hi Adrian,
You’ve obviously chosen the MGB because the measurements suit your needs.
As for the wheels, offset, most modern cars have wheels that are flush on the outside & deeply dished on the inside.
Therefore they should suit your rear guards with some clearance.
All the best, Roy
Thanks Roy,
That's the one variable I still have to play with. It took me a while to get my head around wheel "offset" - I think that's a
positive number when they are "flush on the outside, dished on the inside" and for the narrowest 16" wheels I can find, that dimension
is typically around +40mm which means the track will be 2 x 40mm less than the distance between the brake drum surfaces. I do hope I've got this
right, or there will be an MGB axle back on ebay!
Adrian
Hi Adrian.
Yes you are correct about positive off set
I also knew little about the subject, so searched on the net & found many YouTube explanations on how to measure & check wheel mounting point
offset.
Simply type in: how to check wheel offset. Then you will know as much as me, ha! ha!
I will measure mine tomorrow.
Roy
Hi Roy,
Whilst we are all learning, I've now been figuring out how to live with the Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) of the MGB which is 4 x114.3 which means
4 bolts on a diameter of 4.5 inches and still use my MX5 uprights for independent front suspension with the same wheels at each corner. If I get
adapter plates 20mm thick my track width goes up 40mm. Never knew it was going to be so complicated....
Cheers
Adrian
You could get the half shafts drilled to take your 4x 100 wheels.
Thanks Keith,
That might work, I'd be slightly anxious in case it's not stong enough, but if it gives me the track width I need I'll go for it.
Cheers
Adrian