Rebuilding a 9" Ford axle

[Paul B]

Anybody here know much about fitting new bearings/seals? I've bought a complete axle, but the bearings are a bit rumbly and I'd like to give it a good overhaul before it sees road use.

Are all these axles the same, or is there a whole variety of different bearing sizes to confuse the uninitiated? Where can I order a rebuild kit from in the USA?

Mine is 3.0:1 ratio, 28 spline, and I see the bearings on each drive shaft look different.:confused:

ETA: and is is easy enough to fit some sort of diff lock/pozi device at a later date? Do they simply bolt into the stock casing?

Here is the guilty party, luckily it is exactly the right width for my needs. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/Pburgess68/Roadster%20pickup/c03acc7c.jpg

[langysrodshop]

Paul bearings on half shafts are same both sides, seals are inside the tubes.
Half shaft bearings come in 2 sizes 3.15" or 2.88"
bearings need to be pressed on and the retained by a press on collar, this can also be heated and pounded into position.
Yes you can change to an LSD or Detroit locker easily.

[MisteR Tee]

What he said! I stripped mine when I had it powder coated & re-assembled it myself (with help when I couldn't get one shaft back - didn't rotate it to engage splines!! DOH!!!) with new bearings & seals. Don't know about the posi part but if it's anything like the Jag ones, should be no problem as I've just stripped one of mine & about to re-assemble it.

[Paul B]

Sounds simple enough then chaps. I'll have to measure the bearings up, when I get home in five weeks...... :(

[MisteR Tee]

Just need to look at the end caps, from memory the large bearings have an even shaped housing cap, the small ones an odd-shaped one. Take a look here... http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm

[weemark]

here is a pic of the three sets of ends ford made.

http://www.garagescene.co.uk/stuff/housingends.jpg

[stueeee]

If you're doing the diff as well as the wheel bearings, it's worth being aware that the 31 spline diff unit has bigger diameter side bearings than the 28 spline version. Also there is a heavy duty (deeper) yoke end pinion bearing used on some 9" diffs -your 28 spline unit isn't likely to have one of these though.

Stuart.

[Paul B]

Interesting web page there Mister Tee, thanks.

Weemark,

http://www.garagescene.co.uk/stuff/housingends.jpg

I don't think mine had 1/2" bolts/holes in, as I used a 9/16 socket on the nuts, so I'd say it is small Ford.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/Pburgess68/Roadster%20pickup/b2f7fc6f.jpg

Mine did have this snubber thing on when I got it, whether it means anything or not:

http://www.kevinstang.com/uw188.jpg

[Paul B]

If you're doing the diff as well as the wheel bearings, it's worth being aware that the 31 spline diff unit has bigger diameter side bearings than the 28 spline version. Also there is a heavy duty (deeper) yoke end pinion bearing used on some 9" diffs -your 28 spline unit isn't likely to have one of these though.

Stuart.
Mine is definitely 28 spline. My buddy told me he wanted it back off me if I found it was 31 spline. Yeah, like that was gonna happen. :D

[langysrodshop]

Paul i keep rebuild kits here.

[Paul B]

Steve, I probably won't be coming back through/to the UK until next March mate. :D But, depending on how things pan out with my hotel buying session it might be easier to order from a known and reliable source in the UK.



Paul i keep rebuild kits here.

[langysrodshop]

£88 or Speedway will deliver to hotel reception.


http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h229/stevelangylang/Other%20stuff/91909501_L.jpg



Steve, I probably won't be coming back through/to the UK until next March mate. :D But, depending on how things pan out with my hotel buying session it might be easier to order from a known and reliable source in the UK.

[langysrodshop]

Paul, summit do axle bearings and seals http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RAT-9103/Application/?query=Axle+Model%7cFord+8+in.

[296moon]

You could also do this while its apart, it works well http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q286/296moon/fordrearmods001.jpg http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q286/296moon/fordrearmods002.jpg

[Paul B]

That's a bit confusing; you still have to buy a Trac-lok rear guts, to turn it into something stronger and better, but without all the proper parts in? I'm not too familiar with these axles really.

My buddy has some plan about adding shims, to semi-lock the standard rear end up, but I don't see how it can work practicably.

[als57]

In my experience the half shaft bearings are a pig to get off. I made a press to get new ones back on, if you're in London your welcome to use it.

[langysrodshop]

Thin cutting disc and a chisel get them off easy Al.



In my experience the half shaft bearings are a pig to get off. I made a press to get new ones back on, if you're in London your welcome to use it.

[Paul B]

In my experience the half shaft bearings are a pig to get off. I made a press to get new ones back on, if you're in London your welcome to use it.

I've heard it can be a pain, like Steve says, cutting disc and chisel to get them off.

Putting the new rings on is all about getting them hot, and tapping them in place, I think. Are the bearings a drive fit too, or just the collars?

I'm a loooong loong way from London mate, so I 'll pass on borrowing the press tool. ;)

[poptony]

when i swaped from small to big bearings i drilled a hole in the collar 5 mm ish then used chisel/hammer across the hole and they split off, then tapped off bearing,slid on new bearing then with a piece of tube the same dia of inner race tapped bearing home,then heated new collar in a bath of oil to expand it,droped on with aid of a wire hook;) and tapped home with same piece of tube,the bearing was tight and collar very tight.:)

[stueeee]

when i swaped from small to big bearings i drilled a hole in the collar 5 mm ish then used chisel/hammer across the hole and they split off, then tapped off bearing,slid on new bearing then with a piece of tube the same dia of inner race tapped bearing home,then heated new collar in a bath of oil to expand it,droped on with aid of a wire hook;) and tapped home with same piece of tube,the bearing was tight and collar very tight.:)

I think you were lucky to be able to tap off the bearing like that. I usually end up using this setup to get bearings off after splitting the setting ring.
http://imagehosting.rodsnsods.co.uk/16114cae39cc4a86e.jpg

I've used the "bash the bearing on with a length of scaffold pole" method when I haven't had access to a hydraulic press. Held the setting ring over a burning oil bath and bashed that on too, it was still tight to get on though, and I'd still rather find a place with a press to do this job if I didn't have my own in the workshop.

Stuart.

[Paul B]

I might just use the gas axe on the bearing, if they are that tight. To get them off anyway.

And if it looks safe enough and it won't damage anything else around it. :D

[poptony]

I think you were lucky to be able to tap off the bearing like that. I usually end up using this setup to get bearings off after splitting the setting ring.
http://imagehosting.rodsnsods.co.uk/16114cae39cc4a86e.jpg

I've used the "bash the bearing on with a length of scaffold pole" method when I haven't had access to a hydraulic press. Held the setting ring over a burning oil bath and bashed that on too, it was still tight to get on though, and I'd still rather find a place with a press to do this job if I didn't have my own in the workshop.

Stuart.

yea tapped perhaps should of read hammerd on;):D

[als57]

Thin cutting disc and a chisel get them off easy Al.

Yep, that's how I did it.... as well as setting fire to my socks, again.