independent suspension differential stub shaft "bearings"

[Tmoose]

It seems typical to plug each stub shaft right into the side of the diff and engage the side gears. With an open diff When the wheels go different speeds rounding a turn or playing in the snow the stub shafts run at speeds +/- the ring gear/diff carrier speed. The bearing that supports and centers the highly finished steel stub shaftjournal is just a nicely fitted hole in the iron/steel diff carrier.

Is this how everybody does it? Or are some diffs bushed?

 

[bentwings1]

That's similar to how our buggy is/was. We use a solid shaft for the diff now with the high angle CV joints and drive shaft to the hubs.

99 Dodge CTD dually.

 

[bentheswift]

We have used bushings and/or bearings in our home-built FSAE diffs for several years.

If the inner stub shaft can move radially at all, then it will due to centripetal force. That will just put the axle at a larger angle than it needs to be, and potentially can mess things up.

Right now we have a replaceable, small-tolerance brass bushing on the inner side of the stub and a needle roller bearing on the outside, directly behind the oil seal. I would worry about having a hardened steel stub shaft restrained by one steel bushing or hole.