Quote:
Originally Posted by dennislbrooks
The rear axles on a Crosley are a tapered key shaft with a castle nut and cotter key. The rear drum is also the hub that is female taper.
Do I treat this like a wheel bearing?? Tighten it to snug, maybe backoff for a slot to put the cotter key thru. Or do you always go tighter to get the cotter key thru?
These cast iron tapered drum/hubs are precious. You do not want to crack one. The key is put in after the hub is placed on the tapered axle pushed in just far enough to start the castle nut which finishes pushing the key in to tight.
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Only talking here from my experience with old Ford and Chrysler tapered axles, but no, do not back off the axle nut. It must be very tight or the hub will slip on the taper and eventually it will destroy the hub, axle, or both. A loose hub was a problem on Fords and Chryslers but might not be as much of a problem with a less powerful car like a Crosley. The hubs can be trouble to get off without the right puller, but don't whack the end of the axle shaft with a hammer thinking that might loosen it up. The puller for tapered axle hubs was fairly expensive so many at home repairs were attempted without one. I have heard old guys say that you could loosen the axle nut and drive the car and you could make it come loose like that, but that is obviously not recommended. .