repairing rear axle housing bearing races..

[Lowsquire]

Sounds like a great way to go, especially if your needle roller bearings are toast as well, as they arent cheap either!
I would imagine a few minutes with a hub, and a vernier , and a good bearing catalogue would yield a workable combination..I think I need to ring some bearing Mfgs tommorow and get some catalogues sent out!
On This job I'll probably just use sleeves, as the bearings and outer races are perfect, but next one Ill try this out!

[Ralph Moore]

I too, would like to see the bearing mod.

[Pothole Jim]

Since you are planing to have the housing machined, why not do the machining and convert to the newer ford axles. They sell kits to convert you housings to accept new slide in type ford axles with new bearings. You can also buy new housings already converted to new ford axles.

Hot rod works

Dick Spadaro

[Ralph Moore]

meric42,

Lets see those pictures/drawings of your bearing mod.

I'm getting impatient, sorry.

[PeteVS]

Originally Posted by Ralph Moore

meric42,

Lets see those pictures/drawings of your bearing mod.

I'm getting impatient, sorry.

Ralph: Sorry for the delay! Here's a link to Hot Rod Works. They do this kind of work.

http://www.hotrodworks.com/

Go to the Catalog section, Axle Upgrades and then either for Early Fod Brakes OR Modern Brakes.

[Kerk]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I had a pair of early 32 axles done and then went a different route. I would be glad to part with them for $ 300. + S&H kc

[meric42]

Finally here are the pictures I promised, sorry for the delay.

In the first pic you can see the inner spacer held in place by the factory inner hub seal cir-clip and the two ball bearings between which is another spacer @ 1/2" wide. There is a third spacer identical to the inner spacer but fitted on the out side of the outer bearing. The second pic shows the inner seal cir-clip and the inner spacer and the third pic is a close-up of the inner/outer spacer

The width of the spacers is not particularly critical, the complete set-up should be sized to fill the space right out to the seal retaining clip grove. The inner hub seal is no longer required as sealed bearings are used and should require no further lubrication.

Remember the bearings used are only a loose fit into the hub so a thin sleeve is required between the outside of the bearing and the inside of the hub. I have used loctite on mine to secure the bearings and prevent movement in the hub.

I hope the above explanation is clear, if not then please feel free to ask any questions. If anyone is interested I may be able to supply the bearings and spacers in the form of a kit with full instructions, just let me know if interested and I will price up the parts.

Kind regards, Meric42

[X38]

Well, about time!

Thanks for that, of course now, it seems so simple!

[Vergil]

Thanks Meric42 for the pictures, I like it but it is to late for me now, if I do another banjo I would sure look at you solution.

Vergil

[meric42]

Originally Posted by X38

Well, about time!

Thanks for that, of course now, it seems so simple!

All good things take time, thanks for your patience.

[Teich]

Used the races that Macs sell installed as instructed ie machined and a press fit. working quite well approx. 6000 miles no issues have machines buddy so lathe work was very reasonable he makes repairs like this for all types of machinery. this is probably just as strong as restubbing a large truck axle! Laurie

[Ralph Moore]

Meric42,

Do you have the #'s for those bearings? How do these work out on the road? I mean have you put some miles on them and noticed any improvement?

Ralph

[FlatheadTed]

We use The 2 bearing system here quite a lot, it works well but there's still machining involved ,

[Fourdy]

pics please.

Fourdy

[Mart]

Can someone that has done this twin bearing conversion be so kind as to quote the bearing numbers please??
Thanks.

[meric42]

Sorry, I can't quote the numbers without removing my bearings and I cannot give personal report as I have not yet driven my car with this mod. However I can report that a friend of mine had the same mod done to his '33 3 window coupe in 1995 and has had no problem with it and he is really happy with the end result.

Hope this helps.

Seasons's Greetings to you all.

[eicke]

OK...just fired up the air compressor and blew the dust off this ole thread........anyone find a bearing number for this mod?

-Ron

[Robert1936]

Some of you blokes worry too much.

The sleeves from Macs Etc are ok to use BUT you must have someone do the job who understands Limits and Fits. I think the reason that they make them thick is to accommodate those Backyarders who are not good machinists and use an old lathe to get the required size on the axle "close enough" and then press them on.
If the interference fit is excessive it puts a lot of tension in the sleeve and it will split if its not thick enough.

For those who worry about "weakening the axle housing" have a look at the cross sectional area of the wishbone extension where the front and rear springs attach, it would take just as much loading as the axle housing and you end up with still a lot more metal on the housing after turning /grinding them down.

Incidentally the housing should be turned and finally ground to give a suitably smooth and round surface to press the sleeves onto. Grinding produces a smooth surface while a lathe must always leave small grooves where the cutting tool moves along the surface. I've been a machinist in an aircraft factory and college teacher for 45 years

If the sleeves are "out of round" they will round up again when pressed on. They must have been round when they were machined in the first place.

I've used them and they are excellent.
Robert1936

[koates]

Just some info on the rear hub roller bearings. The original genuine ford bearings had hardened end plates. Some modern replacement brands are not hardened on the end plates which causes metal to wear off them and mixed with the wheel bearing grease makes a lovely abrasive paste. Got a pair of new german made bearings supplied by macs which were not hardened. So ask the question before you buy them. Regards, Kevin.

[Locpk]

Meric 42
would you please add my name also. Thanks