WC rear axle vs WD rear axle

Rifman · Nov 20, 2016

Hello,
Are the WD and WC rear axles essentially the same? It seems as though the WD is a heavier duty unit. That being said, how much horsepower can a WD rear Axle and transmission take on a regular basis? Is the WD rear axle and transmission close to the D17 in abilities? Thanks in advance.
-Rifman

Gordon in IN · Nov 20, 2016

The WD & WC differentials and axles are very different. The WC is similar to a truck differential with a separate transmission. The WD has the differential is in the same housing assembly as the transmission, similar to a lot of farm tractors. I think that the WD 45 and D17 differentials have heaver gears and are stronger. Axles and hubs and wheel centers are also different between the WC and WD. I have a WD with the increase bore and high compression sleeve kit installed in the engine and have used it for many years without any trouble. The original WD differential seems "strong enough" for the increased torque and horsepower and has not been of any concern. My WD also has oversize rear tires with fluid ballast. Hope this helps. Gordon in IN.

Traditional Farmer · Nov 20, 2016

Plus there are two different WC set ups one for the cast rear and one for the steel rear.

DrAllis · Nov 21, 2016

The very late 1952/53 WD's with the curved shift lever are the same as a WD-45 and internally are the same as the oldest D-17's when it comes to transmissions, differentials, brakes and final drives/axles. The steel rear axle on some WW2 WC's was only because cast iron was scarce. The insides are the same, but the tractor was a couple hundred pounds lighter with a steel rear axle housing.

WC rear axle vs WD rear axle

Rifman

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Gordon in IN

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Traditional Farmer

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DrAllis

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