Thwaites dumper

[Gurty goose]

I recently got myself a thwaites I think Nimbus dumper to restore, the first problem I come across is the axle, could someone please tell me is this axle upside down, should it be bolted on the bottom of the chassis instead of on the top where it is because when the bin is on the wheels are rubbing on the bin and the oil drain plug on the diff casing is on the top, or is the axle the right way up and just the diff upside down
Any information will be greatly appreciated urgent
Thank you

[essexpete]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fZjct8o360

New purchase... Nimbus ?

[cobbadog]

Going by your pics and description I agree with your thoughts. The drain plug should be facing to the ground for obvious reasons, I have no idea why it would be mounted that way and foul with the bin as well. I would change it around.

[Matchless?58]

Hi I have an Orion and comparing the two I would definitely say your diff is upside down . I have looked at the grease nipples on the end of the axle and I can't remember the position of mine . It might be that it's just the diff is upside down . I am going over to where my dumper is later today so I will have a good look then and refresh my memory . Anyway diff definitely upside down . Let you know about axles later today .
Cheers Chris

[mechman]

Could it also have different dia drive wheels from standard?

[essexpete]

I remember our Nimbus with 7.50 16 open bar tyres that the tyres were very close to the skip and the skip had been patched where tyres had rubbed in a previous life.
Looking at the photo I posted obove I think the axle tube is in the right place.

[Matchless?58]

Yep I looked this afternoon . Diff upside down . Took a picture of the axle mounting but it came out rubbish so I will have to try again . I know mines a different model but comparing the two something doesn't seem quite right about the axle mounting . Will try a different device tomorrow get a better picture .
Cheers Chris

[Gurty goose]

Thank you all so much for these replies
I’m new to this
Thanks again very helpful

[Jeremy Rowland]

Gents I really need to point out that if you turn this axle the other way up then you would end up with forward gears in reverse and vice-versa; yes the axle does look like its fitted the wrong way around and I can offer no explanation draining the oil would mean you have to take off the rear axle cover.

I don't know these machines so whether you can mount the axle the same way up but under-slung or over-slung I just don't know but there must be another reason why the wheels are rubbing, is this a standard axle or has somebody in the past cobbled the drive axle from another machine onto this dumper?

Jeremy

[Slooby]

It's entirely possible that someone got a replacement axle from a conventional rwd vehicle (a Morris Commercial) at some point and knowing that to get more than 1 forward and many reverse gears they knew that the axle had to be flipped. If you can flip the differential inside the casing (I've not looked inside one to see if this is viable) so the crownwheel and pinion are on the opposite side then the drain could be mounted on the bottom once more