The Ford Barn

Stingray70 · 07-19-2022, 08:20 AM

In the process of doing the brakes for our upcoming Blue Ridge Parkway trip I found this pitting on the bottom of one side. This is the part of the housing the bearing rides on. How bad is this? Is it a definite no-go?

Also the same side has a crappy looking axle and had a shim. The shim is trashed with several holes worn through it. Replace the axle or re shim?

chrs1961815 · 07-19-2022, 09:32 AM

You probably don't want to hear this but it is probably time to pull the rear axle and go through it. Replace that side of the axle housing and the axle.

larrys40 · 07-19-2022, 09:41 AM

Agree with Chris on pulling and doing the entire assembly.
The housing needs a repair sleeve or replaced with one with a good bearing surface. The axle May need to be replaced one or both and you can inspect the bearings. For the most part once disassembled you will probably find it needs a comprehensive rebuild. If there is someone in your area that is schooled with these I would poll on them.
I’ve done hundreds of axle rebuilds and there is more to it than most folks want you to believe.

Larry Shepard

Bob Bidonde · 07-19-2022, 09:51 AM

In my opinion, your photos ate evidence of at least 2 things gpoing on in your rear ax;le.
1. The pitting is indicative that the bearing is damaged also.

2. The damaged shim is indicative that the hub was moving on the axle. perhaps the material worn off of the shim damaged the bearing journal.
I suggest that you overhaul the entire rear axle plus torque tube before tackling the Blue Ridge Parkway.

old ugly · 07-19-2022, 09:54 AM

the housing needs a sleeve. or if you can find a good axle housing, but that maybe hard.
this involves pulling the rear-end apart and having that housing turned to accommodate the new sleeve. its has to be fitted and unless you have the knowledge and equipment it is something a machine shop needs to do.

i have only ever had one done. both rt and lt housings so 2. i was super lucky i took them to the machine shop and the tech said he would do it on his own time and the shop didn't charge. i can't imagine that ever happening again.

nkaminar · 07-19-2022, 09:55 AM

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I agree. Needs to be replaced. Here is a good description of a complete rear end overhaul: https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-cont...vised-2014.pdf

You probably don't need to go to that extent.

jb-ob · 07-19-2022, 10:14 AM

With your time limitations, you could hunt for another more servable rear and leave the current rear for a winter rebuild.

Shop 'hard', rears aren't hard to find.

katy · 07-19-2022, 10:22 AM

With that damage to the axle and shim, make sure you check the inside of the hub where the axle fits, it's probably worn also.

Stingray70 · 07-19-2022, 12:10 PM

Thanks guys. Great info as usual! Not what I was hoping to hear but it is what I suspected you guys would say.

My next question is: are the repair sleeves a permanent "correct" repair or is it just a bandaid?

Next question: new axles are really expensive. Are the USA made replacements worth the money or are there issues with them?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

mass A man · 07-19-2022, 01:30 PM

The sleeve, installed correctly, is a good, permanent repair. It is the best way to go these days anyway. No need to shop around and maybe have to ship large, heavy rear ends, finding a problem with them also, and needing a sleeve too. Some folks sell old used parts without knowing the specifications of a good axle housing.
Sorry, I have yet to use a new axle, betting they ARE worth the money though..

lotsagas4u · 07-19-2022, 02:16 PM

Berts has good used axles, half the price of newly made ones.

07-19-2022, 09:32 AM	#2
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Rear axle housing damage You probably don't want to hear this but it is probably time to pull the rear axle and go through it. Replace that side of the axle housing and the axle. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

07-19-2022, 09:41 AM	#3
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: Rear axle housing damage Agree with Chris on pulling and doing the entire assembly. The housing needs a repair sleeve or replaced with one with a good bearing surface. The axle May need to be replaced one or both and you can inspect the bearings. For the most part once disassembled you will probably find it needs a comprehensive rebuild. If there is someone in your area that is schooled with these I would poll on them. I’ve done hundreds of axle rebuilds and there is more to it than most folks want you to believe. Larry Shepard

07-19-2022, 09:51 AM	#4
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,470	Re: Rear axle housing damage In my opinion, your photos ate evidence of at least 2 things gpoing on in your rear ax;le. 1. The pitting is indicative that the bearing is damaged also. 2. The damaged shim is indicative that the hub was moving on the axle. perhaps the material worn off of the shim damaged the bearing journal. I suggest that you overhaul the entire rear axle plus torque tube before tackling the Blue Ridge Parkway. __________________ Bob Bidonde

07-19-2022, 09:54 AM	#5
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: Rear axle housing damage the housing needs a sleeve. or if you can find a good axle housing, but that maybe hard. this involves pulling the rear-end apart and having that housing turned to accommodate the new sleeve. its has to be fitted and unless you have the knowledge and equipment it is something a machine shop needs to do. i have only ever had one done. both rt and lt housings so 2. i was super lucky i took them to the machine shop and the tech said he would do it on his own time and the shop didn't charge. i can't imagine that ever happening again. __________________ old ugly my old father-in-law told me. "listen close when people tell you how to do stuff they may know something. then do it the way you want."

07-19-2022, 09:55 AM	#6
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Rear axle housing damage Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I agree. Needs to be replaced. Here is a good description of a complete rear end overhaul: https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-cont...vised-2014.pdf You probably don't need to go to that extent. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-19-2022, 10:14 AM	#7
jb-ob Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 640	Re: Rear axle housing damage With your time limitations, you could hunt for another more servable rear and leave the current rear for a winter rebuild. Shop 'hard', rears aren't hard to find.

07-19-2022, 10:22 AM	#8
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: Rear axle housing damage With that damage to the axle and shim, make sure you check the inside of the hub where the axle fits, it's probably worn also. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

07-19-2022, 12:10 PM	#9
Stingray70 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Western NC Posts: 213	Re: Rear axle housing damage Thanks guys. Great info as usual! Not what I was hoping to hear but it is what I suspected you guys would say. My next question is: are the repair sleeves a permanent "correct" repair or is it just a bandaid? Next question: new axles are really expensive. Are the USA made replacements worth the money or are there issues with them? Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ 1930 Standard Coupe

07-19-2022, 01:30 PM	#10
mass A man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Danvers, Ma. Posts: 712	Re: Rear axle housing damage The sleeve, installed correctly, is a good, permanent repair. It is the best way to go these days anyway. No need to shop around and maybe have to ship large, heavy rear ends, finding a problem with them also, and needing a sleeve too. Some folks sell old used parts without knowing the specifications of a good axle housing. Sorry, I have yet to use a new axle, betting they ARE worth the money though..

07-19-2022, 02:16 PM	#11
lotsagas4u Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Plainview, Texas Posts: 757	Re: Rear axle housing damage Berts has good used axles, half the price of newly made ones.