Spicer Hub Copper Washers

[dyeager535]

Anyone else still running Spicer internal hubs? This is them (hopefully I can hotlink to http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/drivetrains.html):

I'd been on the hunt for awhile, mine are all shot. Apparently they haven't been made for awhile, and of the one place that had them NOS, wanted more than I was willing to pay.

I found a company that makes a nearly drop-in replacement (ID appears to be about .002" too small, they are a bit thicker but that doesn't appear that it will be an issue) and I am inclined to ask them what it would cost to open up the ID on a batch.

Anyone else interested, whether or not I have them opened up? Comments on them being slightly thicker than OEM? These are about .025" thick, pretty sure the others are maybe half that, I'd have to measure. I think being copper they will deform as necessary even being this thick.

 

[sweetk30]

maybe mcmaster carr products ?

 

[dyeager535]

I checked McMasters site, I don't see anything small enough. .190-.191 would be about right for the ID I figure. The metric 5.3mm ID is close, but the OD is too big.

The company I'm dealing with sent me a free sample, has been very easy to work with, and their prices have been reasonable enough that I will do business with them.

No secret I suppose, the dimensions of what they sent me are .373OD x .189ID x .025 thick.

.189 is a very close fit over the shank, but works, however the (assuming) OEM screws have a very small radius under the head. .189 just won't clear that radius, and I see that potentially leading to an issue with a false sense of the screw being seated.

The OD is a very close fit to the hole in the hub body, but I figure that's a good thing, maximizing the sealing area.

 

[thatK30guy]

Why copper? What advantages does it have over other types of metals?

 

[sweetk30]

Why copper? What advantages does it have over other types of metals?

was factory installed .

i figure thats what he wants to put back .

 

[dyeager535]

The "seats" for the screws appear to be countersunk, so I'm guessing copper was used because it will deform. But also makes them fairly hard to reuse.

Weird choice to countersink the seats IMO, I would have figured there to be better options, but maybe back then there weren't.