Rear axle thread damage/repair

[IronMike]

Hey all, I noticed when I was removing the rear axle castle nut to pull my driver side rear drum that the threads were buggered up. I used penetrating oil and some heat to try to minimize any further damage to the threads. When I got the castle nut off the threads are pretty bad and even have a flat spot from either hammering or filing once upon a time.

It may be hard to tell from the photos, but can I repair these threads with a die set and recut the threads or am I going to be on the hunt for another driver side axle. I do not currently own a tap and die set and the ones I have come accross locally don't seem to be large enough for the diameter of the axle shaft. Should I be looking for something a little more on the industrial side or a pipe thread cutter for the job.

Any input from those with more experience than I at this type of work is most appreciated!

Edited February 5, 2010 by IronMike

[aero3113]

You can maybe use a thread file to fix the threads but the flat spot is normal. Here is a pic of my left rear(look for my post on it the drum was hell for me to get off) its a little blurry but you can kinda see the flat spot.

[randroid]

IronMike,

The axle threads are machined while the nut is intentionally softer so as to not be able to damage the axle threads. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the buggered-up part you see on the axle threads is really residue from the nut. Even if is messed-up some, as long as you are able to fully torque a new nut you have very little to worry about.

-Randy

[Joe Flanagan]

I think you should be able to find a die that would fit. Probably not at Home Depot or Lowe's but maybe at a place that sells more commercial/professional grade stuff. I'd try the die and see how it works before resorting to any other methods. Harbor Freight might carry large tap & die sets.

[Niel Hoback]

I'll bet it cleans up well enough to use.

[Greenbomb]

You might be able to rent a set of dies at a rental place. I can't remember what size it is, but it is NOT a pipe thread- it's a SAE bolt thread. I agree it looks like it should clean up good enough to use.

[IronMike]

Thanks for the info. I will try to dress it up with thread file. I plan on replacing the castle nut so if they mate up well I will consider it good to go. If not I will check out the local rental outfit for a die set. Hopefully problem solved without having to start hunting up an axle shaft.

Appreciate all that responded!

Mike

[Young Ed]

Ha Im glad I'm not the only one. Way way back I was pulling a stuck drum off the front of a 46 dodge pickup and it got crooked and messed up the threads on the spindle. One of Dads buddies brought home a giant tap and die set from work and we fixed it. Still on the truck today. Now a front is a little different then a back as far as torque values. Your repaired thread needs to hold 160lbs torque when you are done.

[Lou Earle]

Best bet it to chase the existing threads with right sized dye. However on a 31 A model I could not do that. the threads were worn etc. I got a metric dye and re threaded the axle- cut metric nut cut a slot in it for cotter pin and 18 years later it is still working. Also find out what axles interchange-bet someone has one to replace yours if these methods do not work

[Lou Earle]

my hollander says 50 to 52 plym will interchange. I have one if yours fails

[IronMike]

Best bet it to chase the existing threads with right sized dye. However on a 31 A model I could not do that. the threads were worn etc. I got a metric dye and re threaded the axle- cut metric nut cut a slot in it for cotter pin and 18 years later it is still working. Also find out what axles interchange-bet someone has one to replace yours if these methods do not work

Thanks for the advice and the offer on a replacement axle. We have a new rental place in town and I will be checking with them on an appropriate die. If I am unable to get it fixed I will definately send you a PM about the axle.

Mike

[Joe Flanagan]

Sometimes Sears has those things.

[Niel Hoback]

Being "ultra-cheap", I have had success making a thread chaser by cutting a slot in the right size nut and threading it on and off several times using plenty of oil. For small nuts, I just cut the nut halfway in two. If you angle the saw about 30 degrees or so to the side, it will cut much like a die but not nearly as fast. For a nut the size of the axle, you could put the blade thru the nut first and make two or more angled cuts imitating a die. Just cut deep enough to make teeth and allow the shavings room to get out, 1/8" or so. this is your chance to experiment and learn.

[IronMike]

Being "ultra-cheap", I have had success making a thread chaser by cutting a slot in the right size nut and threading it on and off several times using plenty of oil. For small nuts, I just cut the nut halfway in two. If you angle the saw about 30 degrees or so to the side, it will cut much like a die but not nearly as fast. For a nut the size of the axle, you could put the blade thru the nut first and make two or more angled cuts imitating a die. Just cut deep enough to make teeth and allow the shavings room to get out, 1/8" or so. this is your chance to experiment and learn.

Interesting, a new trick.... That is why this site is so great you can learn all kinds of "outside the box" thinking. One can never have too many ways to tackle a problem. Actually most of the time on here there isn't a "problem", just multiple opportunities for solutions. Hopefully this weekend I will get the opportunity to give these suggestions a shot.

Thanks, Mike

Edited February 5, 2010 by IronMike

[Niel Hoback]

I am very glad to pass on a "new trick" that was shown to me by my Grampa Shaw who owned Shaw's Garage in Avalon Pa. That was in the teens in the last century. He taught me in the 50's. So, new trick? Sure is.

Stick with me, I'll show you cheap.

[Joe Flanagan]

My brother-in-law, who doesn't pay his income taxes, will show you cheap, too. But his isn't the kind of example you want to follow. Niel's kind of cheap is much better. Smart cheap. I asked my sister what she was going to get her husband for his birthday and she says, "An orange jumpsuit." I told her to pick something else because Uncle Sam has plenty of those if it ever comes down to it.

The makeshift die trick reminds me that it's not only the old cars we keep alive in this group, it's the old technology, the old way of doing things. I went into an Auto Zone yesterday looking for a points file and no one knew what I was talking about. They just shook their heads when I said "points file." I asked, "You don't have them or you don't know what it is?" They said, "Um, don't know what it is."

Now I'll bet if I asked for a 98-gigabyte sub-confabulator, they'd have been able to help me out.

[IronMike]

Very true, a lot of wisdom and practical "know how" to be passed down and kept alive. My grandfather made his living running a service station in Indiana, Pa. I have learned a lot of neat things from him and he has a lot of cool fabricated tools. He was great at making his own or modifying standard tools to finish a job he was working on.

Mike

[Niel Hoback]

I bet Mike will agree that one of the most important things our Dads and Grand dads taught us was to figure out how to do something and then DO it.

I like to think that when newer, younger guys ask questions here that I can answer, I'm sort of passing along what was given to me. Keeping old cars going sometimes requires keeping old logic going too.

Grampa eventually became a Buick dealer and then the National. I've gotten some great stories from him. Theres the time he drove a Hudson Commodore across a ditch and ,,,,,,,,,,

[Joe Flanagan]

What I get a kick out of is when someone passes on some technique or trick to me and I try it and then marvel at how ingenious and simple it is at the same time. Part of me says, "I should have figured this out on my own," and another part of me says, "I never would have figured this out in a million years."

So he drives the Hudson over the ditch . . .

[thrashingcows]

Being "ultra-cheap", I have had success making a thread chaser by cutting a slot in the right size nut and threading it on and off several times using plenty of oil. For small nuts, I just cut the nut halfway in two. If you angle the saw about 30 degrees or so to the side, it will cut much like a die but not nearly as fast. For a nut the size of the axle, you could put the blade thru the nut first and make two or more angled cuts imitating a die. Just cut deep enough to make teeth and allow the shavings room to get out, 1/8" or so. this is your chance to experiment and learn.

So do you cut from the outside in...or the inside out? Great idea!!

[Niel Hoback]

If you are making a small die, less than 1/2" diameter, just cut from the outside right into the center.

A larger one can be made by putting the hacksaw blade through the center and then cut into the theads an 1/8" or so.

[IronMike]

If you are making a small die, less than 1/2" diameter, just cut from the outside right into the center.

A larger one can be made by putting the hacksaw blade through the center and then cut into the theads an 1/8" or so.

Niel,

Thanks for the tip. I gave it a shot today and I believe that I am good to go. Only out the cost of new hacksaw blades (which I needed anyway) and some time. I cut two slots in the good castle nut and worked about a 1/2 turn on/off at a time until I could snug it down and loosen it back off. I still have a flat spot by the key way where the threads were too far gone from the key being driven back in over the years.

I now have a new bit of wisdom to pass on to others!

Mike

[Niel Hoback]

I'm glad it worked for you. Sometimes you get lucky. I think that flat spot is supposed to be there so you can slide the key in after you put the hub on.

[Frank Elder]

Niel,

Thanks for the tip. I gave it a shot today and I believe that I am good to go. Only out the cost of new hacksaw blades (which I needed anyway) and some time. I cut two slots in the good castle nut and worked about a 1/2 turn on/off at a time until I could snug it down and loosen it back off. I still have a flat spot by the key way where the threads were too far gone from the key being driven back in over the years.

I now have a new bit of wisdom to pass on to others!

Mike

Can we see a picture of your n.....uh, fasteners that you modified:D:D:eek:I can't quite picture the finished product.

[IronMike]

Can we see a picture of your n.....uh, fasteners that you modified:D:D:eek:I can't quite picture the finished product.

I put the (not my) nut in the vise and put the hacksaw to it. Niel suggested cutting at a little angle which I did not remember to do. The straight cuts worked though.

Mike