WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY: Reassembling a restored 1943 StuG III ZF Gearbox

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 24 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 445

  • @forgivemenot1
    @forgivemenot1 Місяць тому +244

    Just the realisation that someone had to sit down and design this with a pencil and ruler, they had to work out the tolerances that were needed for it all to work, without a computer, without CAD, without a calculator, it just leaves me in awe.

    • @Sam-ob4of
      @Sam-ob4of Місяць тому +16

      More likely a whole team of designers/engineers

    • @himaro101
      @himaro101 Місяць тому +12

      Madness really. Not to mention that it would have been manufactured (or at least finished to tolerance) by hand, not machines.

    • @georgedistel1203
      @georgedistel1203 Місяць тому +13

      This episode was absofrigginglutly great, I enjoyed every minute of it. One question I have just out of curiosity: Did you happen to get the weight of the assembled main shaft assembly. I'm kind of a nerd on little bits of information like that . These videos really make my day waiting on surgery in my neck . Have a great rest of the year and many more to come.

    • @dDoOyYoOuUtTuUbBeE
      @dDoOyYoOuUtTuUbBeE Місяць тому +9

      Slide rules! And a lot of notes on paper.

    • @paoloviti6156
      @paoloviti6156 Місяць тому +4

      Do not forget the whole team was directed by the senior staff that is calculating with a pensil and the ubiquitous slide rules. All this is truly impressive when you think about this but it was the same since the industrial period until the arrival of the PC 🖥 computers. Again a great job you did guys 👍👍👍👍👍

  • @noah_w211
    @noah_w211 Місяць тому +94

    I work for ZF in germany and came across this project, because someone asked for drawings of the transmission in an internal forum and its really cool to be part of the same company and see that after 80 years the transmission is still in good condition

    • @Lumpy15120
      @Lumpy15120 Місяць тому +7

      Gibt es in den ZF-Archiven noch Zeichnungen davon?

    • @dukenukem8381
      @dukenukem8381 Місяць тому +2

      Why ZF provides so much transmissions to russia to use in their apcs?

    • @tristan1234567890
      @tristan1234567890 Місяць тому +3

      @@dukenukem8381 why do you care.

    • @ThomasMulhall
      @ThomasMulhall Місяць тому +3

      My 1969 Aston Martin DBS has lovely ZF power steering and the 5 speed gearbox- same as the Maserati Ghibli. This Stug gearbox looks a bit larger, just a tiny bit! Love ZF products. Cheers

    • @dukenukem8381
      @dukenukem8381 Місяць тому

      @@tristan1234567890 Because I am from Ukraine

  • @billydog1954
    @billydog1954 Місяць тому +141

    You wouldn't think you'd describe a gearbox as beautiful but it really is a thing of beauty made with the precision of a swiss watch

    • @NSYresearch
      @NSYresearch Місяць тому +4

      I was just going to comment the same thing. I have no idea how it would work but it really is a piece of engineering beauty.

    • @dbaider9467
      @dbaider9467 Місяць тому +1

      Very precious metal

  • @krmould
    @krmould Місяць тому +81

    I know nothing about transmissions, but that was a transfixing 22 minutes. Hats off to Beau and Steve for their amazing knowledge and skill. Reassembling such a piece of history is truly mind-blowing. And, a special thanks to Kurt. I don't think he gets enough credit for documenting this so well.

  • @FairladyS130
    @FairladyS130 Місяць тому +59

    That transmission, what a work of mechanical art. And all the new bearings being still available. Magic!

    • @stubstoo6331
      @stubstoo6331 Місяць тому

      And that's why they lost the war over engineering.

    • @tridbant
      @tridbant Місяць тому +3

      Bearings are made to an international standard according to required tolerances and working requirements. So a bearing made then is still made today. Though some were designed for a very specific need which could be no longer produced.

    • @hannahranga
      @hannahranga Місяць тому +1

      ​@@tridbant That said if there was a part that used weird, funky and non standard bearings it'd be a German or British tank.

    • @tridbant
      @tridbant Місяць тому

      @@hannahranga yes, I mentioned non standard ones.

  • @andrewsteele7663
    @andrewsteele7663 Місяць тому +51

    Thanks Steve & Beau, that was a truly absorbing video, Cheers

  • @mangoman9290
    @mangoman9290 Місяць тому +26

    Its amazing to think about how much work goes into putting 1 tank onto 1 battlefield for it to possibly just hit a mine and its all over.

    • @dukenukem8381
      @dukenukem8381 Місяць тому +2

      price of people believing in populism and grandiose reality.

  • @troymolitor7766
    @troymolitor7766 Місяць тому +19

    The last few seconds of the video and the smiles on both faces really sum up this video. Another fantastic Wednesday addition. As always, thanks for sharing this with us.

    • @ricksmith4736
      @ricksmith4736 Місяць тому

      Gearheads who enjoy doing this type of work and take pride in doing the job correctly......

  • @brendanspurr1437
    @brendanspurr1437 Місяць тому +30

    The best day of the week Weeennnsday

  • @roberthocking9138
    @roberthocking9138 Місяць тому +27

    Well done lads, what beautiful engineering, it still stuns me that they could make equipment like that so robust and to such fine tolerances in the middle of a dam war !! PS wonderful explanation of the parts and assembly 👍 PPS well filmed too Kurt

    • @himaro101
      @himaro101 Місяць тому +3

      You say that, but a lot of the later stuff had some real issues with gearboxes & final drives. Towards the end, the available quality of metal drastically decreased.

    • @darreng745
      @darreng745 Місяць тому +1

      One of the reasons that Germany suffered so much with AFV production was the insistence on quality engineering, that made replacement parts hard to source as the production line took priority and made repair in the field more harder. You could argue that the Soviet approach of a tank just good enough for the day made sense as the T-34 was turned out in numbers that made the production of the STuG look small.

  • @joeeocs3259
    @joeeocs3259 Місяць тому +23

    The professionalism, skill and humor of your team of restoration experts is amazing. You are all truly masters at what you do!

  • @delzworld2007
    @delzworld2007 Місяць тому +22

    This StuG III series is fantastic. I am already looking forward to the next episode. Well done to all of you.

  • @darryl3392
    @darryl3392 Місяць тому +23

    I rebuild classic mini gearbox as side income this is on the next level
    Well done boys😊

  • @terryhubbard1141
    @terryhubbard1141 Місяць тому +7

    After spending 37 plus years in machine shops, I have to admire the work they put into a vehicle that could possibly have a very short life span. All the hammer work involved reminds me of a saying we had....." Don't force it....use a bigger hammer".

  • @l4st_s4mur4i
    @l4st_s4mur4i Місяць тому +9

    I love the way you explain everything to us like we are kids. "This goes here and it does this,while this goes there and that does something else"....finaly someone that actualy describes stuff a way that everyone understands it. Sending love from slovakia

  • @PresidentCamacho24
    @PresidentCamacho24 Місяць тому +1

    Wow! I can’t stop thinking about how this transmission began as a idea to paper to manufacturing to assembly to everything that happened to this transmission to today. Thank you for such another excellent video.

  • @entropyachieved750
    @entropyachieved750 Місяць тому +24

    Absolutely magic watching you both work together. Talk about a well oiled machine

  • @stewartspain8367
    @stewartspain8367 Місяць тому +21

    Being in a similar trade for many years, I’ve found that a countertop convection oven does the trick of heating up and expanding the bearings/gears enough to allow them to slide down with ease. Sometimes even saves the bearings and gears from minor damage as a results of trying to drive them on by hand. Still great work and I enjoy your channel!

    • @b3nz0r12
      @b3nz0r12 Місяць тому +1

      maybe even double down with those wine bottle ice packs over the main shaft

    • @stewartspain8367
      @stewartspain8367 Місяць тому +4

      When it comes to rebuilding jet engines, usually you have a large chest freezer you can chill the main shaft down in along with heating the bearings up before you assemble the whole stack.

    • @gerhard6105
      @gerhard6105 Місяць тому +2

      My father just used the gas oven in the kitchen to do such things. To unhappiness of my mother. We had no other option. Works great. English: gas oven. Dutch: gasoven. This Etna oven is still on its spot since 1967 and in use.

  • @garysimpson8860
    @garysimpson8860 Місяць тому +1

    You can not appreciate in this day and age how they managed to build something as good as that all those years ago , if you think about it things hasn’t moved on that much really apart from maybe f1 gearbox’s but general gearbox’s hasn’t , and great seeing you guys rebuilding it 👍

  • @Curlyween
    @Curlyween Місяць тому +4

    I am never ceased to be amazed at the skills and craftsmanship of Steve and Beau, and the whole AusArmour team in general. Fascinating stuff!

  • @paullavallee1631
    @paullavallee1631 Місяць тому

    Amazing the amount of skill and effort to create something that might possibly last 5 mins on the battlefield

  • @Arcaev
    @Arcaev Місяць тому +11

    This was so satisfying to watch! Can't wait for next week

  • @RuggeroRenzi
    @RuggeroRenzi Місяць тому +16

    Il cambio dello Stug III è un vero gioiello di meccanica e pensare che è stato progettato quasi un secolo fa!!!. Bravissimi Steve e Beau nel rimontaggio. Episodio bellissimo.

  • @4FingerFrag
    @4FingerFrag Місяць тому +10

    I'm sure these boys have hard days, but what a dream it would be to work there.

  • @aserta
    @aserta Місяць тому +6

    16:43 guys, you insert it with the round part of the shaft to the spring, then use a slightly crooked pocket screw driver to rotate it to the latched position where the spring falls inside the pin's groove. This might be an early version or defect in the batch, but normally, these have a screw driver slot in the end of the pin, so you can rotate them once inserted into position. So compress the spring, you usually use a piece of flat stock, bent in a U shape. The two ends of the U shaped tool press on the flat of the spring.

  • @mikemilburn7823
    @mikemilburn7823 Місяць тому +4

    A work of art. I don't think surgeons could work with such precision, awesome job

    • @stubstoo6331
      @stubstoo6331 Місяць тому

      That's one reason they lost the war.

  • @gregc8567
    @gregc8567 Місяць тому +11

    Top work! - just amazing - anyone who has done even a little bit of mech work can really appreciate this.

  • @Maiko100876
    @Maiko100876 Місяць тому

    I can’t wait for next week when you sync the other side. Just awesome. BEST SHOW ON UA-cam!!!! What’s amazing is somehow, someway , German Mechanics did all of this in the field under adverse weather and conditions, under fire , and under attack, hoping nobody fucks with the parts supply line.

  • @charlesemerson6763
    @charlesemerson6763 Місяць тому +11

    Mechanically that's a thing of beauty.

  • @meisterrumspuckl3965
    @meisterrumspuckl3965 Місяць тому +1

    These two guys are amazing, and a pleasure to watch...they do their work with such love and confidence, it is really nice to watch...thank you all for showing their amazing work, and the whole team either!!

  • @goooooller9353
    @goooooller9353 Місяць тому +3

    I could watch Steve and Beau work together all day.

  • @stuartbromley5328
    @stuartbromley5328 Місяць тому +3

    As an ex mechanic from the uk .....its really satisfying qatch you guys bring some really heavy duty ....mechanics into bring these vehicles back to.life ......makes fitting clutches into fords look bloody easy ......loving the films ......

  • @theharbinger2573
    @theharbinger2573 Місяць тому +2

    Beau and Steve working together on this gear box is pure joy. I could watch this all day long. Thank you, and please videos on all the steps in getting this box back together would be wonderful.

  • @truracer20
    @truracer20 Місяць тому +3

    The final few seconds were the icing on the cake, Steve and Beau beaming with pride.

  • @warrensilk5316
    @warrensilk5316 Місяць тому +3

    Simply stunning engineering. Steve and Beau are engineering wizards and I could watch and watch again and again. I would love to visit to see the action in the raw. Thanks Kirk for your wonderful workshop Wednesday videos. Cheers from the UK.

  • @himaro101
    @himaro101 Місяць тому +3

    This must be the most rewarding part of any restoration work. Reassembling.

  • @JohnPine13
    @JohnPine13 Місяць тому +4

    Great job Steve and Beau! Thx Kurt for letting us look over their shoulder!

  • @ricktrenaman6838
    @ricktrenaman6838 Місяць тому +4

    The engineering employed & detail for assembly is amazing ! Keep these videos coming 👍

  • @scottcrawford7310
    @scottcrawford7310 Місяць тому +13

    Love workshop WEDNESDAY great job guys

  • @markscheffers5841
    @markscheffers5841 Місяць тому +3

    I don’t know what was more satisfying. Seeing it taken apart or seeing it being put back together. Great video as always!

  • @glengrant3884
    @glengrant3884 Місяць тому +6

    You guys are just BRILLIANT!!💥🫡💯

  • @coreyrich2567
    @coreyrich2567 Місяць тому +4

    It is such good work that you all do with these vehicles you can really see how much you enjoy working on them

  • @emogenelea7185
    @emogenelea7185 Місяць тому +1

    Love this show: like watching surgeons working on the intricacies of a living body. Their knowledge of mechanical theory is exceeded only by their several skill sets.

  • @whatwouldyoudo64
    @whatwouldyoudo64 Місяць тому +1

    German engineering so advanced for it's time! Thank you for all your efforts!

  • @GergoSzaszko-hobbybiker
    @GergoSzaszko-hobbybiker Місяць тому +4

    I hate you guys! I'm waiting the whole week for the new part of workshop wednesday, and you guys are, just gouging my eyes out with only 22 minutes of pure pleasure!!!! 😍 I love it!!!!!

  • @schwabrichard9829
    @schwabrichard9829 Місяць тому +2

    To say Beau and Steve are members of a a very exclusive club is an understatement! How many people have completely rebuilt one of those transmissions 80 years? Give the Bard his credit for capturing the event, Kurt!

    • @tridbant
      @tridbant Місяць тому

      We’ll not really. Remember they knew nothing about these until they dismantled it and along with drawings and specifications it was an on the job learning process. Any competent fitter, anywhere in the world, could have done the same job.

  • @VideoShowMeHow
    @VideoShowMeHow Місяць тому

    WOW great effort lads! Would have been a few crispy high fives when those pins lined up I would reckon!

  • @pauldonnelly7949
    @pauldonnelly7949 Місяць тому +5

    I'm constantly amazed at the incredible skill of the designers, machinist and engineers who put in so much effort and resources to make such engineering masterpiece, all the while with bombs dropping day+night. All to carry some big gun around that at the late stage if the war, when this was made, probably lasted a few minutes in combat before being blown away. Seems an utter pointless waste of endeavour and resources, let alone lives. Beautiful work guys!

  • @geoffblake2748
    @geoffblake2748 Місяць тому +3

    Absolute work of art. Both the design and reconditioning.

  • @ivorglenn5309
    @ivorglenn5309 Місяць тому +1

    German engineering at its best, amazing to think that in 1943 with the massive demands of the eastern front, north Africa and Italy they were still creating these masterpieces with such precision and attention to detail.

  • @clivehibburt
    @clivehibburt Місяць тому +1

    Just incredible it was so interesting WOW the engineering involved what a great video thanks guys 👍👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌👌👌😊

  • @gasgaslex_photos
    @gasgaslex_photos Місяць тому +1

    Such a pleasant experience watching and listening to a bunch of Queenslanders doing great work on classic vehicles......Unlike the new Jaguar car and its mind numbing advert.

  • @Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968
    @Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968 Місяць тому +2

    Looks like that gearbox comes from the future rather than 80 years ago.
    Engineering and technical masterpiece.👍🏼

    • @tridbant
      @tridbant Місяць тому

      No, not really.

    • @Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968
      @Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968 Місяць тому

      @@tridbant Like you're the expert Grandad. Better stick to fixing your moped.😂

    • @tridbant
      @tridbant Місяць тому

      @@Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968 a bit more than you I bet. You don’t know my work background and as what you said I’ll bet you have very limited engineering knowledge.

    • @Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968
      @Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968 Місяць тому

      @@tridbant Dunno Grandad, you're trolling me here. I'm sure with your 113 subscribers you're bound to be better than these guys with their lousy 212,000 subscribers. Especially when it comes to fixing a Moped or two 🤡. Troll Harder.

    • @tridbant
      @tridbant Місяць тому

      @ hahahah what are you talking about. Cheeky bugger, never owned a moped in my life.
      Where on earth am I denigrating the tradesmen on the show. What I’m saying is, don’t imply that tradesmen and manufacturers were more competent then than they are today. Don’t denigrate the untold thousands of fitters around the world who could have, including me, have done the exact same job as they did. As for trolling correcting what people say is not trolling.

  • @neilgibbs3880
    @neilgibbs3880 Місяць тому

    Anyone else be left with a big pile of “spare bits” after doing that? 😂😂😂 Or is that just me. How do you guys remember where it all goes and what connects to what?
    Amazing job a work of art. 👏👏👏

  • @ReaperRestorations
    @ReaperRestorations Місяць тому

    as a military aircraft mechanic, I can tell you safety wire is truly an art. and those pliers are a real pain😄

  • @earlatkins9559
    @earlatkins9559 Місяць тому +1

    Amazing job, guys! What a difference cleaning all the parts makes. They look like they just came off the assembly line. 22 minutes goes by so fast. More please.

  • @MatSpeedle
    @MatSpeedle Місяць тому +1

    Taking this apart was a mindblowing experience to watch, but putting it back together is so bloody impressive! Incredible work chaps!

  • @stranskyv452
    @stranskyv452 Місяць тому

    and to think they designed and precision manufactured this over 80 years ago,is amazing .incredible engineering

  • @wrxs1781
    @wrxs1781 Місяць тому +1

    The engineering tolerances that went into this transmission manufacture is truly impressive, along with the lads who are re-assembling it.

  • @timn6864
    @timn6864 Місяць тому +1

    This channel is in my head now. I can't just say Wednesday anymore. It's always workshop wednnnnnsday

  • @sgkonfetti
    @sgkonfetti Місяць тому +1

    The fellows of the workshop are really ingenious. Very good job !!!

  • @johnbradshaw354
    @johnbradshaw354 Місяць тому +1

    Great job Steve and Beau! Quite daunting ensuring the fit is perfect and fully functioning I'm sure. Thanks Kurt for Sharing.

  • @wommyrudolph
    @wommyrudolph Місяць тому +5

    Mechanical masterpiece

  • @Badhagis
    @Badhagis Місяць тому

    It's interesting to imagine the last person who worked on that engine when it was first assembled, and all that was going on at that moment in the world. And here you are now re-assembling it now, just as they/he did then. Little mind bending when you consider it.

  • @joepapp01
    @joepapp01 Місяць тому

    I know we should appreciate all the AusA team equally, but Steve really is the best, and he and Kurt have such good rapport and chemistry.

  • @jayvee-u2
    @jayvee-u2 Місяць тому

    Great work bring this transmission back together still much to do, but looking very good!!

  • @busterdee8228
    @busterdee8228 Місяць тому +1

    When I was a young mech, I prided myself in knowing more about manual gearboxes than my peers. Thanks to Steve and Beau, I now know it was a good thing I didn't brag!!! Great stuff.

  • @mikef.1000
    @mikef.1000 Місяць тому

    3:40 ... how wonderful to see a man using a SPEED DRIVER... one of the most underrated and underused tools that everyone should have in their arsenal!

  • @janzajicek9246
    @janzajicek9246 Місяць тому

    Just amazing a precise job guys!! Very well done. You are Masters!

  • @davidh6300
    @davidh6300 Місяць тому

    Well done. I dont know much about transmissions but it looks challenging to reassemble.
    And of course it clearly took a lot of smarts to design and build.

  • @scottburton509
    @scottburton509 Місяць тому

    Loved this. Idea: Have a "StuG Box" with all the tools Beau made for the StuGs.

  • @neilmchardy9061
    @neilmchardy9061 Місяць тому

    Fantastic German engineering, you have to take one’s hat off to those guys.

  • @Desertduleler_88
    @Desertduleler_88 Місяць тому

    Amazing engineering feat and design considering the Germans didn't have CAD software, but only slide rules. Fantastic rebuild, enjoyed every moment of the transmissions assembly.

  • @bearbait2221
    @bearbait2221 Місяць тому +3

    Truly good mechanics>>>just great to watch>>>Mech tip for tight fitting parts/ bearings heat them in oil lil over 120f and they will slip in ezer. Heat is the key to less hammer work :) A little heat goes along ways.

  • @maxderbruchpilot72
    @maxderbruchpilot72 Місяць тому

    Amazing work!👍👍👍👍

  • @oxcart4172
    @oxcart4172 Місяць тому

    Thanks so much for this "transmission!"

  • @shedwork
    @shedwork Місяць тому

    Precision 80 yr old German engineering and the worlds best Stug gear box reconditioners! Fantastic video and workmanship at it's finest!👍👍👍

  • @ferrellsl
    @ferrellsl Місяць тому +8

    Awesome work!

  • @lukefriesenhahn8186
    @lukefriesenhahn8186 Місяць тому +1

    This episode was truly amazing. It's wonderful that you guys are able to restore this transmission.

  • @mikepocock575
    @mikepocock575 Місяць тому

    Another cracking video lads,having a little idea now how a gearbox is assembled,not easy as we can see.

  • @Splattle101
    @Splattle101 Місяць тому

    You folks hit it out of the park when you hired Steve.

  • @yattaran1484
    @yattaran1484 Місяць тому +2

    Awesome restoration work as always !. I have no idea how those gears and bearings actually works.But one thing's for sure it's an work of an Art !

  • @shanemossmoss
    @shanemossmoss Місяць тому

    Thanks again guys great video loved every minute of it

  • @ericcorse
    @ericcorse Місяць тому

    Any episode with a speed wrench and brass drift is top drawer in my book.

  • @Slartibartfaster
    @Slartibartfaster Місяць тому +4

    Excellent... can't wait for the next episode

  • @MrBarrySell
    @MrBarrySell Місяць тому

    Amazing the engineering that goes into killing the enemy. All the time to design equipment that typically gets blown apart.

  • @alecfraser1928
    @alecfraser1928 Місяць тому

    Not many of us get to see the inside of any gearbox let alone this monster. Great. Glad to see you liberally applying the hammer during the fit up. I was always concerned I might be doing damage!

  • @luvtruckin
    @luvtruckin Місяць тому +1

    Working on machines can be at times a frustrating thing to do but taking apart a 70 year old machine with jello lubricant and then cleaning and ramanning some of the parts then reassembling it is just flat out amazing as said before hats to Steve and Bo and as always thanks to Kurt for documanting these thing it's a full time job I'm sure.

  • @pierreguay6577
    @pierreguay6577 Місяць тому

    wow ! hope you guys are proud of your work ! really anazing !

  • @Underrule303
    @Underrule303 Місяць тому

    Cracking work gents!!

  • @Absaalookemensch
    @Absaalookemensch Місяць тому

    For an 80 years old gearbox it looks in great condition. It shows how oil is the fountain of youth for machinery. Well done. Thank you

  • @CanOfRabbitHoles
    @CanOfRabbitHoles Місяць тому

    that knowing smile they gave each other at the end! says it all really. It doesn't get much better than this boys, great work EVERYONE at aus armour. I'm sure there is a lot that goes on we don't see and people don't call out, but good god this is amazing stuff.

  • @gregedmand9939
    @gregedmand9939 Місяць тому +1

    A great bit of fun for all the gear-geek fans of Oz Armour!

  • @nunyabusiness7405
    @nunyabusiness7405 Місяць тому

    insanely impressive! good stuff right here!

  • @bassplayersayer
    @bassplayersayer Місяць тому

    Great job!!!!! Enjoy your videos!!!!!! Rock on!!!!!!!!

  • @sandervanelslander9964
    @sandervanelslander9964 Місяць тому +1

    I've gotten use to you guys wacking away with hammers. But as an aircraft mechanic, it's the quality of the lockwire that made me cringe the most 😆 All jokes aside, you guy's are doing a fine job on this one.

  • @stephenjudaysr8915
    @stephenjudaysr8915 Місяць тому +1

    Thanks guys and PLEASE....keep em coming!

  • @timovilkki5209
    @timovilkki5209 Місяць тому +1

    Kiva että youtube tarjoaa jotakin mielenkiintoistakin katsottavaa, hetkinen, tehän sen teette, kiitos.

  • @vinnypopadop
    @vinnypopadop Місяць тому +1

    You know the sound of your workshop is surprisingly soothing. I know it's hitting things with hammer and grinders. I almost fell asleep.

  • @rionijam727
    @rionijam727 Місяць тому

    Great stuff,
    A tour of the spare parts room and boneyard would be awesome 👌