Wrathall Mark wrote:

Relative to the curaway of the ross box Paul sent...

What absorbs prop drag loads when windmilling? Is this load added to the
helical gear thrust load and carried by the e-shaft thrust bearing?

When mounted on a pusher, it would appear that prop thrust loads would then
all be transmited to the e-shaft.

Mark Wrathall

Good question Mark. I think there is a large plain bearing formed between
the hardened and ground back side of the ring gear bulkhead and the aluminum
planet carrier. I have seen some sets with a thrust needle bearing in there.

BTW As I recall the Ross prop shaft tubing  is welded to this bulkhead.
Welding in auto transmission parts is common practice. Everett Hatch
used a dozen or so #10 machine screws to hold his design together
as in this drawing.
 
Since the planet carrier is captured in the housing the prop thrust
is transferred to the housing as per the above scenario. This applies to
the 2.17:1 unit. I am not sure how the 2.85:1 works as the planet carrier
is fixed to the prop shaft.

Paul Lamar
 
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