Re Speed Moser Axles and bearing issue..
 

So i bought a recent project that needs finishing off..

it come with a set of the RE Speed billet moser axles that slot into the s3 diff.. So ive had some bearings pressed on and have installed them and they dont seem to even hit the spline on the centre..
Also the moser axles look to be around 10-15mm shorter than the stock s3 axles ..?/?


Below is a pic of the stock axle and backing plate

https://i1017.photobucket.com/albums...2FA8CC52C3.jpg

Here is the gap with the billet axle in place

https://i1017.photobucket.com/albums...2FB1CA8A6A.jpg

To me it looks like i need the bearings pressed down - how far i am no sure - does anyone know what the measurment or how far you should press the bearings and spacer down??

heres a top view of axle..

https://i1017.photobucket.com/albums...61392F28DE.jpg

And then the spline ends..

https://i1017.photobucket.com/albums...6141A1B1F6.jpg

I, along with many others, have been running these for a while without any problems. I do know there are two different length axles, GSLSE spec and NON GSLSE spec. IIRC, the difference in length is all outside of the axles housing, but I could be wrong. I will be seeing the original designer of these today and will get you more information.

The bearing rests on a step, it should be pressed down until it seats against that step.


Isaac

does the moser axle still use the spacer like the factory part?

It is. All S3 disk rears used the same housing. I've gone both ways - put 12A sticks in GSL-SE rears and GSL-SE sticks in 12A rears.

This is probably your culprit. The deal is that some of the Moser axles use the spacer and some don't. IIRC, the GSLSE spec do not use the spacer, I don't remember installing them on mine, and the GSL spec do. I don't see where you specified which spec you have, and I am not sure of the size of the spacer, but if you have SE spec and are running the spacer, that's probably your issue.

Have you tried contacting Sam? You should definitely do so to make sure I am right about which spec needs the spacer and which doesn't.

When in doubt, call Sam.

You can ask a bunch of guys on the internet, and maybe get some accurate information out of all of the speculation.

Or, you can call Sam and get the facts.

I'm always surprised when people have a question about a product, and go to the internet rather than the seller for answers. He has email, website, facebook page, and a phone. I don't know how he could make it any easier to people to get ahold of him. :)

Good luck...



.

I would also suggest asking Sam.

As for the spacers, I'm using the SE length axles and am using the spacers.

I'm bringing this back from the dead. I'm trying to figure out if the GSL spec moser axles need to have a spacer, wheel bearing, then collar when installing or do they not need a spacer?

My GSL moser axles just have a wheel bearing and collar installed. Is that right or do they need a spacer also?

I'm having issues with my passenger rear axle not sealing properly and spilling diff fluid out the axle slowly. Just noticed the driver rear is leaking too, but not dripping on the rear rotor like the passenger side. Guessing they need spacers?

Can anyone confirm on this?

dbrag has the answer.
But if your axles have been in for awhile and working ok. But just now started leaking. More then likely your axle bearings are worn out and new replacing.

I have a set of the Moser GSL axles in my racecar and they use the spacer. I also have a set of GSL/SE Moser axles and they use the spacer as well.


The spacer provides a flat face for the bearing to press against. If you cut an axle with that much of extreme 90 degree angle it would have a hell of a stress riser in that area. All of the axles I have looked at - Moser or Mazda - have a radius where the spacer sits. Note that the back side of the spacer is beveled to accommodate this.


The difference between a GSL and GSL/SE is 10mm and this difference on the axle flange side of the bearing. The distance from the bearing to the splines is the same.

I noticed he mentioned it above trying to remember Gian, but wanted to get confirmation. Thank you! I'll get the proper spacers and install new bearings and collars.

So, I pulled the axles and installed new spacers, wheel bearings, collars and bearing seals in the axle housings.

First off, this axle spacer pushed the axle out however wide the spacer is(5-10mm) and in doing so my re-speed big brake kit wouldn't fit without some creativity. After installing the axles and installing the rear disc brake rotors, the caliper bracket was too far away to even bolt down.

I tried flipping the bracket on the other side of the axle housing flange, but then it was too close and the rotor wouldn't fit right in the caliper bracket.

My only solution was to use seven 3/8 spacers and get four longer bolts for the caliper bracket so I could bolt it on and have the rear rotor line up properly inbetween the caliper bracket.

After that mess and getting everything back together I take the car for a drive and I'm still leaking gear oil out of the axle? I've installed axles, seals, wheel bearings on my old diff and never had issues.

I'm going to try a little thicker gear oil and see if it still leaks. If it does I guess it's time for a 8.8 rear end setup.

I have a complete GSL rearend with the Moser axles and a RE-Speed BBK installed. I'll have to pull an axles to get a pic of the spacer and collar. I'll use some calipers and get some measurement for you.

Thank you. Don't think you need to pull an axle for me though. My rearend is a 84 GSL with moser axles and re-speed BBK. I'm not worried about the spacer, wheel bearing, or collar now.

Just wondering why it keeps leaking gear oil out of the axles. It's a very minor of course, but it gets on the rotor and makes the rear brakes pretty much useless. I even used gear oil resistant rtv on the end of the axle housing flange for when bolting the axles in, it would create a seal there. So, the only place it could be leaking is through the bearing seal, through the wheel bearing, and then past the spacer and out.

The only thing I can think of is the stock axles obviously use the disc rotor dust shields that are also used to bolt the axle in. I noticed my old ones did look a little wet on the inside of the dust shield. On the moser axles I used just the re-speed reinforced axle flanges only. I couldn't use the disc shield cause it's too small for the disc brakes. I did notice however on the stock axles when bolted down it creates a very tight fit/seal on the axle behind the spacer so if any fluid were to leak out it wouldn't make it past the dust shield.

My question now is are other people just running the reinforced re-speed axle flanges too or have others trimmed the original dust shields to make it fit?

Here's my moser axles with re-speed axle flanges, spacer, wheel bearing, collar ready to go into the rear end. Am I missing something?

Attachment 612235

I also used a little RTV on a different axle that had a leak issue. Had to replace an axle seal twice because of this. It's holding up now.

Is you rearend vent working?

Good to know. I'll double check the vent. The only time I checked it was a couple years ago when I installed the rear into the car.

I might've assumed too early on the leak. I took off the rear wheel and noticed it had very little gear oil on it in one spot, but it looked old and not fresh. I checked behind the disc rotor and looked near the spacer/axle flange and it was dry!

I think what I was seeing was the old oil or parts cleaner that wasn't dry from the "vented" portion of the rotor. At speed it was flinging it onto the inside of the wheel.

I'll keep an eye on it. For now I think it's good though. Thanks!

Two things that have seemed to help me avoid axle seal leaks is that I run a -6 vent line to a small puke tank and I don't use the black axle bearing retainers that National and Timken provide.


For the vent - I pulled out the factory vent in my rear end housing then drilled and tapped it out for 1/4" NPT so I could fit a -6 AN fitting.


For bearing retainers I buy Beck Arnley retainers because they are have a polished finish. RockAuto.com sells them separately - PT#0530031.


For seals, I have had the best luck with National brand and I replace them anytime I have to pull the axles. They are cheap so I always buy extra ones.


I have always used either RE Speed or ISC axle retainers on my race car.