Halftrack front axle question

[booger]

...are halftrack front axles unique to halftracks and what are they? I've got a buddy thinking M211 front axles are the same and I would bet the farm they are not...but I don't know.Thanks in advance for clearing this up,Greg

 

[SETOYOTA]

Similar but not the same

 

[booger]

do you know what the differences are? does it rotate the "other" way like a M211?

 

[NDT]

The halftrack uses a Timken "split" axle and the M211 uses the GM "banjo" axle. Not the same ratio. The Timken axle was used on dozens of WWII vehicles with various ratios.

 

[steve1973]

The halftrack axle has a specific gear ratio and tire size, 8.25x20, so when it is engaged it matches the speed of the tracks. Using a different front axle or the more common 9.00X20 tires will cause binding on the drive train.