New improved Tire/Jerry Can Carrier Hinge

[TrailChaser]

I started working on a new hinge to replace the original design I came up with that never worked as well as I thought it should.

 

I started by turning a 7" piece of 3" mild steel bar stock down to 2.75". Then I turned the base and drilled a 2" deep hole and tapped it with a M16x2.0 tap. Next I took a 1.375" drill and drilled a 3.5" deep hole then started cutting on the inside with a boring bar to get the right ID for the races it sit in. I also had to machine in a lower step since the bearing itself protrudes from the race about 50 thousandths of an inch. The same thing was done to the opposite side after I cut it off. This step was the trickiest. I had to turn the cap with an ID for the main shaft a ring to press the bearing, and I

wanted it to be close. Like less than 25 thousandths of an inch gap between the cap and main part that swings. The next step was to drill and tap a hole for a grease zerk. Last but not least I turned the head of the bolt so now it's shorter by half and I added a nice 45deg edge to make it look better. 8)

 

Here's a few pics.

 

The hole was drilled and tapped extra deep so I could use long bolts to press the bearing to the bottom of the shaft.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the measurements if anyone else wants to make one.

[TrailChaser]

Here's a few pics of the bearings getting pressed on. Note the 14mm allen wrench I used. My biggest allen wrench at home is 10mm so I just used a 14mm bolt with a nut on it. Worked great in a pinch. :wink:

 

 

I forgot to mention that I made a sleeve to press the lower bearing on.

 

 

The unpainted finished hinge.

 

It changed color from the heat of welding on it.

 

It changed color again because I painted it.

 

 

It's smooth with zero slop now.

 

Thanks for looking.

[Simon]

Nice job man! That looks real sturdy. My only concern in the design would be water getting into the bearings. How tight does that thing sandwich?

[TrailChaser]

Thanks Simon,

It's pretty tight and packed with grease.

Edited December 1, 2007 by TrailChaser

[Simon]

Good stuff. As long as it's close, and you're good with keeping it greased, you should be fine.

[Earth1]

That's a burly hinge. How do you latch it?

[TrailChaser]

Here's a pic of the latch. I like it because it not only looks cool, it holds pressure back and down on the arm to eliminate any possible movement.

 

[Earth1]

Nice design & clean welds.