New Trucks

[mlh]

Thanks 2007dura. Are the smaller rearends made the same way? Are they lapped before they are shipped? Machine shop stuff is always interesting to me since I have one. Miniature compared to what you know but still a machine shop.
Lynwood

[2007dura]

I haven't been in a car part manufacturer since the mid 2000's. I worked in a class 8 truck supplier from then until a few years ago and was tired of the stress. My company dropped out of cars right after I joined them and did straight class 8. We forged our own rings and pinions with the teeth and then used 5 axis CNC's to bring to size. Being a machinist you would have enjoyed seeing that. After heat treat we ground and then put the ring and pinion in a lapper and would run and apply pressure for both coast and drive to get our shim size to have the correct contact. It then went to assembly to be finished and dropped in a carrier. The auto did do it that way but the forging didn't have teeth at that time and you cut from a blank. I would say that since it has been so long in technology advancement time since then, the methods have changed but the principal should be close. As a machinist you would enjoy touring some of the plants I have worked. Having been in automotive for 20 years, technology advancements usually start there and filter down.

[mlh]

I would enjoy seeing 5 axis work. 5 axis is pure magic. I have a Haas mini mill2 with a forth axis rotary. I does all need it to do and it was cheap. When I bought it the forth axis was free an $8200 option.
Lynwood

[2007dura]

Looks like you must have a pretty nice shop with that mini mill2. Unfortunately the job shops around here have about dried up. There are still a few left, but not many. The machinist trade has too. We have had almost an impossible time finding journeyman. Private message me if you would like to talk "shop" and we can compare some notes.

Sorry to have hijacked the thread, will let it go back to the break in period. I did just buy a 2017 F-350 dually and will be towing next weekend. I hope to get 500 miles on it before I do, but don't know if it will happen. The 2012 I traded had a little over 200 miles when I hooked up to it.