Useless Information

[swathdiver]

When I was younger there was MAR (Mid America Raceway) about 30 miles west in Wentzville, MO. I liked that one a lot. It was in the country, amongst fields and meadows and the pit area had trees and grass. It closed and they built a subdivision in its place

Same here, a subdivision was put on top of the track in Hollywood after it closed in 1993. Then we had to drive 66 miles to the one that just closed. Now the closest track time-wise is 117 miles away. Sebring is closer as the crow flies but it is 1/8th mile and never know when it will be open.

I bought some VC2000s, the computers we used in the 1990s for speed testing. Country roads are close by around here. But man, I love making passes down the quarter mile!

 

[mountie]

Same here, a subdivision was put on top of the track in Hollywood after it closed in 1993. Then we had to drive 66 miles to the one that just closed. Now the closest track time-wise is 117 miles away. Sebring is closer as the crow flies but it is 1/8th mile and never know when it will be open.

I bought some VC2000s, the computers we used in the 1990s for speed testing. Country roads are close by around here. But man, I love making passes down the quarter mile!

I miss Palm Beach Raceway , just a 1/2 hour away. Too bad it was managed like a hobby.
There is a proposal for a new full- size replacement on land, just west of me. But I am concerned, it is not far away, enough from residential areas. ( search, google maps, for 'twenty mile bend' in West Palm Beach. It's only 15 minutes from me !!

 

[swathdiver]

I miss Palm Beach Raceway , just a 1/2 hour away. Too bad it was managed like a hobby.
There is a proposal for a new full- size replacement on land, just west of me. But I am concerned, it is not far away, enough from residential areas. ( search, google maps, for 'twenty mile bend' in West Palm Beach. It's only 15 minutes from me !!

And they were looking to put a track just north of the old one as well. Very familiar with twenty-mile bend, the property on the south side is or was a police training range.

At one time we lived in Clewiston and used to work in Belle Glade, Pahokee, Canal Point, etc. Have you ridden US Sugar's steam engine yet?

Sugar Express | Train Rides and Excursions in South Central Florida - Sugar Express

sugarexpress.com

 

[mountie]

And they were looking to put a track just north of the old one as well. Very familiar with twenty-mile bend, the property on the south side is or was a police training range.

At one time we lived in Clewiston and used to work in Belle Glade, Pahokee, Canal Point, etc. Have you ridden US Sugar's steam engine yet?

Sugar Express | Train Rides and Excursions in South Central Florida - Sugar Express

sugarexpress.com

The proposed property is next to the Police shooting range. I want to take a drive to 20 mile bend and see how far ( close) the residential area is.

 

[swathdiver]

The proposed property is next to the Police shooting range. I want to take a drive to 20 mile bend and see how far ( close) the residential area is.

It's almost a mile as the crow flies. The nearest subdivision I see is next to Palm Beach Aggregates on the north side of Southern. There's nothing to the south but wetlands and cane fields to the west.

I like driving out that way, especially when they are burning the cane in the fall. Love the smell, brings back lots of memories.

My father used to work for US Sugar and would bring home shopping bags (brown paper back then) full of fresh cane sugar.

 

[swathdiver]

After working on both 9.5" axles now, I think it best to take best parts from each one to make one whole.

I changed my mind and decided to use the original axle, called Myers. Then my helper gouged the metal where the wheel seals go. That would have to be fixed I think so it would not leak in the future. The axles on this one are in better condition with no wear patterns but the wheel studs are quite rusty from sitting outside. I think they'll clean up with a wire wheel.

The carrier of this axle appears to be in better condition. The assembly turns freely while the other binds up as you turn the yoke. I think the rotation torque measured 19 inch pounds and the backlash was .009. The binding axle's (Jupiter) rotational torque is 50 inch pounds of torque. The Myers axle had Koyo wheel bearings.

Thinking about using the Jupiter axle's housing with the carrier and axles from Myers. Any issues with that I'm not thinking of?

Do you think the gouges in the axle tube where the seals go is a problem? I'll take and post up some photos.

@gooffeyguy @iamdub @mountie @Doubeleive

 

[Doubeleive]

After working on both 9.5" axles now, I think it best to take best parts from each one to make one whole.

I changed my mind and decided to use the original axle, called Myers. Then my helper gouged the metal where the wheel seals go. That would have to be fixed I think so it would not leak in the future. The axles on this one are in better condition with no wear patterns but the wheel studs are quite rusty from sitting outside. I think they'll clean up with a wire wheel.

The carrier of this axle appears to be in better condition. The assembly turns freely while the other binds up as you turn the yoke. I think the rotation torque measured 19 inch pounds and the backlash was .009. The binding axle's (Jupiter) rotational torque is 50 inch pounds of torque. The Myers axle had Koyo wheel bearings.

Thinking about using the Jupiter axle's housing with the carrier and axles from Myers. Any issues with that I'm not thinking of?

Do you think the gouges in the axle tube where the seals go is a problem? I'll take and post up some photos.

@gooffeyguy @iamdub @mountie @Doubeleive

I would guess it would depend on where the gouge is, I have had issue's with wheel bearings leaking before even after multiple new bearings and even new 1/2 axles.
but that was at fairly high mileage (close to 300k) I presumed the axle housing was just worn out, a gouge could cause a leak or wear on the bearing surface I would guess if it is up in the seal lip area it might not be a problem.

 

[swathdiver]

I would guess it would depend on where the gouge is, I have had issue's with wheel bearings leaking before even after multiple new bearings and even new 1/2 axles.
but that was at fairly high mileage (close to 300k) I presumed the axle housing was just worn out, a gouge could cause a leak or wear on the bearing surface I would guess if it is up in the seal lip area it might not be a problem.

Warm weather and more birthdays this week and next, not sure I'll even get to look at it for a few days at least.

 

[gooffeyguy]

After working on both 9.5" axles now, I think it best to take best parts from each one to make one whole.

I changed my mind and decided to use the original axle, called Myers. Then my helper gouged the metal where the wheel seals go. That would have to be fixed I think so it would not leak in the future. The axles on this one are in better condition with no wear patterns but the wheel studs are quite rusty from sitting outside. I think they'll clean up with a wire wheel.

The carrier of this axle appears to be in better condition. The assembly turns freely while the other binds up as you turn the yoke. I think the rotation torque measured 19 inch pounds and the backlash was .009. The binding axle's (Jupiter) rotational torque is 50 inch pounds of torque. The Myers axle had Koyo wheel bearings.

Thinking about using the Jupiter axle's housing with the carrier and axles from Myers. Any issues with that I'm not thinking of?

Do you think the gouges in the axle tube where the seals go is a problem? I'll take and post up some photos.

@gooffeyguy @iamdub @mountie @Doubeleive

Is the gouge in the axle tube or on the axle?

I've seen sleeves made for crankshaft end seal areas and I believe axles if they're damaged.

If it's the inside of the housing maybe smooth it out with something like emery cloth or a fine sanding drum and use some sealant on the outer edge of the bearing/inside edge of the tube when installing? Maybe they make oversized bearings for this application? I've seen them for other things.

 

[swathdiver]

Finally got to spend a little bit of time with the axle before sunset. My intent was to pull the carrier out and then move the axle inside.

Well, when I put the breaker bar on the first carrier bolt, it wasn't that tight. None of them were. My brain said, "somebody has been here before"! When I took the carrier out there were no shims other than the cast iron shim on the right. I guess someone at the salvage yard raided the axle for the shims way back when. I left the pinion in for now, rain coming tomorrow and for several days after. Found a new tarp under the workbench so we sprayed the whole thing down with WD40 and covered it with the tarp.

So without shims, I'm really starting from zero right?

I guess I ought to remove the carrier from the other axle and see if that one has any shims and what they were to at least get an idea of where to start right? As grandma used to say, "Oy Vey!"

Oh Tom, the gouges seem a very minor compared to when they were made! LOL I think they'll rub out with emery cloth and maybe the deep ones could be filled with JB Weld or just left alone, it's in the area of where the seal's metal will be just inside the axle tube. I took some photos but they are terrible and don't really show anything.

 

[swathdiver]

Ran the trucks at OSW (Orlando SpeedWorld) last night.

Both trucks ran their fastest times to date.

The 5.3 Yukon XL weighed in at 6,280 pounds and ran a 16.115 @ 86.45 mph. Her 60-foot was 2.399, quickest ever. Off idle launch flashing the converter. 313.7 Rear Wheel Horsepower for that run.

The 6.2 Sierra CC weighed in at 5,840 pounds and ran a 14.826 @ 93.99 mph. Her 60-foot was 2.207. Off idle launch flashing the converter. 374.88 Rear Wheel Horsepower for that run.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Ran the trucks at OSW (Orlando SpeedWorld) last night.

Both trucks ran their fastest times to date.

The 5.3 Yukon XL weighed in at 6,280 pounds and ran a 16.115 @ 86.45 mph. Her 60-foot was 2.399, quickest ever. Off idle launch flashing the converter. 313.7 Rear Wheel Horsepower for that run.

The 6.2 Sierra CC weighed in at 5,840 pounds and ran a 14.826 @ 93.99 mph. Her 60-foot was 2.207. Off idle launch flashing the converter. 374.88 Rear Wheel Horsepower for that run.

View attachment 422008

Are those vehicle weights with driver or without?

6,280 lbs seems a bit high for the XL. Thought the curb weight on these are like 5,900 lbs

 

[swathdiver]

Are those vehicle weights with driver or without?

6,280 lbs seems a bit high for the XL. Thought the curb weight on these are like 5,900 lbs

Race weight with my fat butt in it and she was on empty too! Three weeks ago she was 100 pounds heavier with a near full tank of fuel. All my tow/recovery gear is in back, a lawn chair, cargo blankets, my oxygen bottles, etc. is still in it.

@randeez
Just came inside from taking apart the other axle that Randy gave me. We initially decided not to use it because there was binding when you rotated the pinion. As we took it apart, the pinion was still binding until we took the yoke off. What did we find? TWO pinion seals!

The bearing caps were also loose and there were no shims on either side of this one either. Cleaned up good, still haven't taken the bearings off the old pinion to see what size shims were used, or the ones on the carrier, hopefully tomorrow. Someone borrowed my torch and need it to heat up the ABS screws as they are loc-tited into the axle. We cleaned up the inside real good and she's ready for new cups and then we'll get out the tools to set the pinion depth. Supposed to have more good weather tomorrow.

The magnet on this one is clean, you can still see the yellow marking paste from when the ring and pinion work was done on it. This one had Koyo wheel bearings and Timken carrier and pinion bearings.

The ABS reluctor wheels on both axles fell apart so we removed them, replacements are in the AAM kit and I bought the tool to seat them to the proper depth some time ago. After all the setbacks and interruptions, we're finally making good progress!

 

[iamdub]

Ran the trucks at OSW (Orlando SpeedWorld) last night.

Both trucks ran their fastest times to date.

The 5.3 Yukon XL weighed in at 6,280 pounds and ran a 16.115 @ 86.45 mph. Her 60-foot was 2.399, quickest ever. Off idle launch flashing the converter. 313.7 Rear Wheel Horsepower for that run.

The 6.2 Sierra CC weighed in at 5,840 pounds and ran a 14.826 @ 93.99 mph. Her 60-foot was 2.207. Off idle launch flashing the converter. 374.88 Rear Wheel Horsepower for that run.

View attachment 422008

Not that it matters in this case other than for fun, but what was your RT? You hit it right, she went on green.

 

[swathdiver]

Not that it matters in this case other than for fun, but what was your RT? You hit it right, she went on green.

Can't find my phone, it's around here somewhere, was going to take a picture of the slips.

Anyhow, on that run, she left with a .380 light and mine was .151.

My next run was against a 10-second camaro, he cut a .119 light to my .113! The cold weather and needing to stop by the bathroom had its advantages I guess! LOL

She's getting the launch down, seat and pedals, etc. She's been cutting .340 lights on average up there at OSW. Happy to get the truck into the 14s. She ran 15.6 with the KO2s and that's when I knew they really needed to come off if that car was going to run fast. She still takes it out to the beach, in the mud and pastures with the cows and horses and hasn't been stuck yet.

 

[randeez]

Race weight with my fat butt in it and she was on empty too! Three weeks ago she was 100 pounds heavier with a near full tank of fuel. All my tow/recovery gear is in back, a lawn chair, cargo blankets, my oxygen bottles, etc. is still in it.

@randeez
Just came inside from taking apart the other axle that Randy gave me. We initially decided not to use it because there was binding when you rotated the pinion. As we took it apart, the pinion was still binding until we took the yoke off. What did we find? TWO pinion seals!

The bearing caps were also loose and there were no shims on either side of this one either. Cleaned up good, still haven't taken the bearings off the old pinion to see what size shims were used, or the ones on the carrier, hopefully tomorrow. Someone borrowed my torch and need it to heat up the ABS screws as they are loc-tited into the axle. We cleaned up the inside real good and she's ready for new cups and then we'll get out the tools to set the pinion depth. Supposed to have more good weather tomorrow.

The magnet on this one is clean, you can still see the yellow marking paste from when the ring and pinion work was done on it. This one had Koyo wheel bearings and Timken carrier and pinion bearings.

The ABS reluctor wheels on both axles fell apart so we removed them, replacements are in the AAM kit and I bought the tool to seat them to the proper depth some time ago. After all the setbacks and interruptions, we're finally making good progress!

No refunds

 

[swathdiver]

Well, it's happened again. On Friday night, 5 children and young adults smashed into an oak tree at a high rate of speed, probably triple digits. All of the passengers were ejected from the truck and only one survived. The driver also survived, he was wearing his seatbelt. The crash scene was so gruesome, the media would not show it on television.

My children knew and were friends of the deceased and the girl who survived and is still in the hospital. The other young lady who passed was closest to my youngest daughter and she stayed over the house from time to time.

The impact was so violent, that an O2 sensor and other engine parts were found near the scene, along with broken emblems and even the wheels shattered into many pieces. The driver has yet to be charged, he suffered minimal injuries.

I always tell my children not to stay out past 10pm as nothing good happens after that in my experience, especially if into the car scene. Too many fools on the road and blue lights.

Why nobody buckled up (because of the way he was driving) when they hit the turn at 100+ is beyond me. They all knew that part of the road except maybe the driver! He's from another town I hear.

3 young people dead, 2 others injured in single-vehicle crash in Port St. Lucie

Three people died and two others were injured, all ranging from 16 to 20 years old, when their pickup truck crashed into a tree late Friday, Port St. Lucie police said.

www.wptv.com

The truck didn't stop at the tree, it went around and came to rest about 1/2 between the tree and that bench. The victims were landed closer to the bench than the Dodge Ram pickup.

Love your loved ones men and continue to teach your children to make good decisions.

 

[mountie]

ignorance and parental laziness.........
I spent a few years teaching teenagers how to drive. Coached the parents how to explain to their kids on 'life-saving' choices, when NOT to take a ride in a vehicle, where the driver is an idiot.

" High Performance " is not 'driving fast'...... High performance is what's taught in the BRAIN.
Just last week, I watched two, $100,000 pickup trucks fly out of the High School parking lot....Driving stupidly, side by side....
I guessed their parents allowed their boys to drive these trucks, so they will kill them selves.

What a future tragedy...

 

[Geotrash]

Well, it's happened again. On Friday night, 5 children and young adults smashed into an oak tree at a high rate of speed, probably triple digits. All of the passengers were ejected from the truck and only one survived. The driver also survived, he was wearing his seatbelt. The crash scene was so gruesome, the media would not show it on television.

My children knew and were friends of the deceased and the girl who survived and is still in the hospital. The other young lady who passed was closest to my youngest daughter and she stayed over the house from time to time.

The impact was so violent, that an O2 sensor and other engine parts were found near the scene, along with broken emblems and even the wheels shattered into many pieces. The driver has yet to be charged, he suffered minimal injuries.

I always tell my children not to stay out past 10pm as nothing good happens after that in my experience, especially if into the car scene. Too many fools on the road and blue lights.

Why nobody buckled up (because of the way he was driving) when they hit the turn at 100+ is beyond me. They all knew that part of the road except maybe the driver! He's from another town I hear.

3 young people dead, 2 others injured in single-vehicle crash in Port St. Lucie

Three people died and two others were injured, all ranging from 16 to 20 years old, when their pickup truck crashed into a tree late Friday, Port St. Lucie police said.

www.wptv.com

View attachment 423960

The truck didn't stop at the tree, it went around and came to rest about 1/2 between the tree and that bench. The victims were landed closer to the bench than the Dodge Ram pickup.

Love your loved ones men and continue to teach your children to make good decisions.

Oh my god. That poor family - all of them along for the ride, powerless to stop that maniac from killing them. I'm sorry for your family's loss, James.

That sonofabitch should be locked up for life, labeled a child killer, with no possibility of parole.

 

[swathdiver]

Funerals start in a few days, driver has yet to be charged. The girl in the hospital has undergone several successful surgeries and is being kept in a coma.

No truck stuff to update y'all on. I got sick again and then threw my back out so I've basically been bedridden this past month. Weather is getting hotter too, may have missed my chance to finish that axle. Still outside under a tarp.

If you know the Lord, pray for the families and friends mourning the loss of their loved ones and that young girl in the hospital. I'm praying for the driver too.