Assembling 1938/39 rear axle casing

[Tony Press]

Dennis,

I would be very careful using AFMT in a ball or roller bearing (even their website doesn't seem to suggest this) because they are antifriction bearings-  but they rely on a modicum of internal friction to 'roll' correctly- any slippage of the balls/rollers can cause 'smearing' of the tracks.

The crown and pinion are plain spiral bevel and only have rolling contact so a good thick lubricant suffices here.

20 years as a lube engineer made me very suspicious of any magic fluids- not much of it about since Merlin died.

Cheers, Tony.

Thanks tony.
Attached is the SINTEF lab report which you would be able to understand more fully than I so any further observations would be welcome.  Merlin's home town,Tintagel, is not far down the road across the border in Cornwall so I ought to pop down and see if he is home and can enlighten 

I think that proves my point- reduced friction ! Note that the tests are metal on metal simulating plain bearings not rolling or anti-friction bearings. 

Regarding the use of extra additives in motor oil - all current reputable oils are all made from either a synthetic or mineral base oil with upwards  of 15-20% additives - all carefully balanced to work harmoniously together.
The addition of another package of additives can cause problems with the functioning of the original additive package.
Plus I would think the additive suppliers would have investigated most available friction reducing additives to combine with the various other additives to  get the optimum result.

Cheers, Tony.