carrier wheel bearings, t16 axle brakes and sprockets

Hans Mulder · #1 09-06-11, 23:30

I do have a UC Mk1...it just has a T16 rear axle in it. Do you know if there are any differences between the idler wheel and the road wheels other than the bearing? Are they interchangable?

Lynn Eades · #2 09-06-11, 23:41

The wheel is the same, but the tyre is smaller in diameter - Road wheels are 20" dia. Idler is 19" or 19.5" I cannot remember the correct size. It is usually moulded into the tyre.
The inner bearing has the bigger bore, and the inner seal and seal carrier are correspondingly bigger.

Hans Mulder · #3 10-06-11, 19:45

Thanks for all the information! I wonder why they wouldn't have made the road wheels and idler the same?

Lynn Eades · #4 11-06-11, 00:10

They probabl;y were the same to start with, but my guess is the change occured as a "fix" to stop the rubber peeling off or dropping tracks or the like.

andrew honychurch · #5 11-06-11, 10:17

Interesting, I do not see any reference in the parts book of the T16 to the wheels being different, road to idler. However, looking at my idler wheels they almost look like they have been shaved down to the small diameter. It may be that it was a field mod to reduce the size for some reason?

EDIT.. apologies, the book does list a different part number for idler and road wheel!

Hans Mulder · #6 13-06-11, 19:14

I'm going to use some of my spare parts to build a tracked trailer along the lines of what you see pictured with the late 30's british carriers and wasn't sure how I should have the wheeled tyred, in the idler or roadwheel rubber profile. I think I'll use the idler profile if it is designed for that reason.