Live axle rear end alignment ?

[darrell]

Another interesting thing I noticed about my early Westfield Seven, The center of my rear axle / drive shaft is offset to one side in the tunnel. Is this normal? Looking at pictures of other Sevens on the internet I found another car similar to mine that seems to be the same way. Would love to hear some input about this.

 

Darrell

[notakit]

Its the nature of the beast. To have equal length axles, a pinion gear is often offset (hence the drive shaft is offset) to engage ring gear which is offset. A picture is worth a thousand words;

 

http://www.musclecarclub.com/library/tech/differential.shtml

Edited October 11, 2011 by notakit

[darrell]

Thanks dude...you are right.

[danilo]

Sort of.. Depends entirely on what Make/intended use of the donor axle.

Some were made so that the required offset was as little as 3/4".

Others have a 2" (or more) offset.

It's dependant on the maker's decision to use equal length drive shafts... Or Not :-)

 

You would have to identify which axle they inserted into that early westie.