Jul 23

Teardown on my customer's 1911 Model T Ruckstell 2-speed axle.

Teardown for cleaning and inspection on the Ruckstell axle. So far it looks like minimal wear. It has the high-speed, 14-tooth pinion installed.
Axle tubes will be modified for safety hubs.
Yes, that is a loonie (Canadian dollar coin) that someone was using as a thrust washer. It looks like brass but it's not.
#1911modeT #ifixstuffyoucant #prewarcar #sgmechanicalservice #Ruckstell

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Jul 23, 2026

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Replies (5)

· Jul 23

That is funny about the coin. Do you know what the approx ratio works out to?

· Jul 23

Works out to a 3:1 ratio. I think factory gear sets are around 3,6: 1.
With the added low gear from the two-speed axle, it really makes the car easy to operate.

· Jul 23

Wow, that is a high ratio. How does it perform with only a 4 banger and 2 speed transmission?

· Jul 24

Fast enough to be scary. It's like being on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
The Ruckstell 2-speed rear axle gives an extra low gear so it makes up for the taller final drive.

· Jul 24

I tell people that don't own old cars that the scary/hard part is not how fast you can make the car go, its how fast you can stop it. Downhill into a stoplight is something you never think about in an ABS equipped car.