The freaking TORQUE, man!!! I get it. Torque it till you get a hernia. 200 ft/lbs plus. But the compressed fiber washer that is supposed to go between the metal washer and drum (I see it goes drum-fiber washer-metal washer-nut-cotter pin)??? Anybody use that fiber washer thingy? This is my first rodeo with a Ford banjo rear so count me as being unitiated. Thanks, Andy
My hubs have a small counterbore that the fiber washer fits into, and the big washer presses on the outer edge of the hub snout. Not really sure what the fiber washer is supposed to do, as any grease would have to work it's way out the key bore. The taper should be so tight that the grease can't make it past that portion. When I've disassembled the hubs for checking the brakes, I usually find the fiber washer is squished and maybe torn up a bit. I just shove it back into that counterbore though on reassembly.
I was wondering about this my self. Went ahead and put it together with out it. Was this a***** up???? on my part?
Never used a fiber washer on our banjo rebuild. With the axles out, we clamped them in the vise and using lapping compound, lapped in the hubs... And yeah, you really stand on that hub nut when it goes back together! It was scarey all right - but it didn't snap!! Got many miles on it now and so far so good... See our video below.
you all are making me want to remove the nut and check for this fiber washer, I don't remember seeing one or the recess for it when I put my car together. no leak or other problem, I just don't remember the washer.
I made those washers out of an old leather belt. Work great. I also don't torque the nut to 200 ft. lbs. 175 works for me.
Anyone rebuilding a banjo rear will find this "How To" excellent. Plus, using the SEARCH BOX will yield even more info both here and on Fordbarn. http://www.ocmafc.com/techarticles/Tom Endy's Special Topics/Differential Seminar - Re-Edited.pdf and http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/rebuild-of-a-banjo-axle.812569/
Something to consider for those who choose not to use the fiber washers that fit into the ends of the hubs... Without the fiber washer there is nothing for the thick steel washer to bear against as you tighten the hub nut. Your torque values are not going to be accurate because the steel washer will be compressing (going concave) down into the void where the fiber washer should be. That means the resistance you think you're feeling as the nut getting tighter is actually the steel washer underneath it displacing. Over the years I have pulled many rear hubs/drums to find concave steel washers and missing fiber washers. The new fiber washers are thicker than the depth of the bore that they fit into. As the hub nut and thick steel washer are tightened the fiber washer gets compressed solid filling every ounce of available space in its bore and around the axle threads. Ford did not design the fiber washer into the hub just for the hell of it.
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