May not have been necessary

[1940plymouth]

The "Wayback Machine" was up on the lift, hoist, "Rack" at the shop my son works at yesterday afternoon as I have a wheel cylinder that is blown. He called me to come down, so once I got there he should me that there was some play in the rearend when turning the driveshaft by hand back and forth.

He drove it home, then I jacked her up so I could put jackstands underneath, then proceeded to unbolt the driveshaft, first I removed both rear wheels. We then removed the drums, I will admit they came off very easy this time, then took out both axles so we could get the rearend out.

We put the rearend on the bench, check out all gears, some wear, but no broken teeth or metal shavings at all. We then put one axle in to check for sloppy movement, there was basically none.

I have timkin bearings and races, called NAPA, they can't get timkin, but what they do have will be there on Tuesday morning. I suppose I could reuse the bearings, but as long as I have the axles out, I am going to replace the bearings. I have to get new grease seals, which I will check on Tuesday when everything is open again.

I plan on making the new gaskets for the pumpkin and such, hopefully that will safe me a few dollars.

The splines on both axles look good also, I do need new boots on each end of the driveshaft, but thankfully both ends of the driveshaft are tight and move back as they are suppose to.

I'll clean up the ends, repack them, install the new boots drive it and see what happens.

All this may have been unnecessary, but I sure did get a good learning experience last evening. That I will admit:)

[RobertKB]

Thanks for posting, Bob. Once everything is done, you can then have peace of mind. Always good to replace things like bearings when everything is apart unless they are really 100%. Don't forget to check the end play in the axles when it is back together. Glad to hear the drums came off easily. I think once they have been off fairly recently, it is easier than when they have sat for many years. Good luck with the project.

Edited May 29, 2011 by RobertKB

[Greenbomb]

I'm gonna throw my .02 in here, hoping not to tick anyone off, BUT, I'd maybe reconsider changing those bearings. We rebuild alot of electric motors and from what I've seen, most used Timkens are still smoother than alot of new "whatever's". Just be sure to check 'em out close. Again, just my opinion, and you know what they say about that.

[Don Coatney]

Timkin bearings are available at any industrial bearing house. Try McMaster Carr.

[RobertKB]

I'm gonna throw my .02 in here, hoping not to tick anyone off, BUT, I'd maybe reconsider changing those bearings. We rebuild alot of electric motors and from what I've seen, most used Timkens are still smoother than alot of new "whatever's". Just be sure to check 'em out close. Again, just my opinion, and you know what they say about that.

I would concur here if the bearings are made offshore, as in China. If you can get bearings made in the US, Canada, or Europe, my guess is the quality will be OK. Also, for the amount of miles these old girls get, I would guess any bearings would be OK. Also, not everything out of China is junk...........except a real Chinese junk.

[Dodgeb4ya]

I agree offshore Chinese bearings are inferior. I like factory genuine USA Timkin bearings. Am working on a 300B that had all new offshore Front end replacement parts previously installed and were from the USA Big Boy suppliers- and now of course they mostly supply new replacement offshore parts-most all are very poor quality. Had to replace some of them- as they were a smaller dimension/weaker, although did fit and work but were very poor quality. All the tie rod rubber boots were badly cracked just after sitting for a year in the resto shop!

China crap!!

Get good USA bearings if possible.

Bob

[Robert Horne]

What many people do not understand about "China junk", is that US companies have parts made in China to the Company Specs. If a company wants to have quality products made in China that is no problem. Some of the parts that are stamped "USA" are made in China. I bought SKF wheel seals from Napa, that are stamped "USA". I also bought SKF wheel seals direct from the Manufacturer in China, that supplies SKF.

[Dodgeb4ya]

I kinda agree. The new replacement Chinese parts though are still not the same specs and quality as the old MoPar OE suppied parts. I had to replace all the bearings in a M6 trans a year ago and the new replacement bearings fit OK but used shorter roller bearings and the batch of 4 same part#C/R brand seals were all made slightly differently, none made here in the USA-- Made in India and Mexico.

90% of the China stuff is still not great quality. I'll pass on it.

[Dan Hiebert]

Kinda hard to tell, but from what I can see, the wear pattern on your differential gears looks about perfect, means your backlash was set OK. If I remember correctly, that is what the factory calls the freeplay, which tends to feel a bit "looser" on older cars. So someone familiar with newer cars would suspect something when checking older vehicles. I'd go with replacing the bearings while everything is apart as well, but I'll leave comments about foreign vs. US engineering alone.

[1940plymouth]

I have decided to keep the rearend as is and reinstall it. The axle bearing on the driver's side was bad, so I have new bearings ordered along with new grease seals both inner and outers and the gasket for the pumpkin, I decided not to try to make one and as long as the passenger side wheel cylinder was bad, I am going to replace both of them, which are on order from NAPA as are the bearings.

[1940plymouth]

The order from Andy Bernbaum came the other day, this morning my son installed the new pinion seal, along with both inner oil seals on the axle housing.

This coming week I hopefully can get the old axle bearings off and new ones pressed on.

Slowly but surely it is going back together:)

[Jim Saraceno]

Very cool! I don't think I've ever seen another post about someone taking a rear end apart.

Thanks for sharing!

[P-12 Tommy]

Bet ya can't wait to jump back in that baby! I miss mine after a day. lol

Tom

[P-12 Tommy]

Kinda hard to tell, but from what I can see, the wear pattern on your differential gears looks about perfect, means your backlash was set OK. If I remember correctly, that is what the factory calls the freeplay, which tends to feel a bit "looser" on older cars. So someone familiar with newer cars would suspect something when checking older vehicles. I'd go with replacing the bearings while everything is apart as well, but I'll leave comments about foreign vs. US engineering alone.

The late 60's to early 70's Mopar rearends always seemed to go "clunk" in reverse. lol

Tom

[1940plymouth]

All back together, just waiting to get my resleeved wheel cylinder.

Hopefully won't be much longer and the "Wayback Machine" will be under motion again

[1940plymouth]

Well, finally back under motion with the "Wayback Machine" thanks to my son, he is the mechanically minded one in the family, me, well, I know enough to be dangerous, and ain't afraid to admit it:)

Here are some photos, the first one is Shane and his girl friend Mandy taking it for a test drive, the other ones are of Cooper at the Neversink Reservoir.

[RobertKB]

Bob, I am really glad you got your car back together and did not change out the rear end. When you took it out for the first time since the repairs, you must have been like a choc-o-holic who has not had chocolate for a while. Aaaaahhh!

[55 Fargo]

Congrats Bob, glad you are on the road again.....

[Andydodge]

So, Bob, have you got Coopers' opinion regarding the work done?............lol..........always makes me smile when i see pics of him sitting out the car window..........lol...........smart looking dog........lol........andyd

[oldodge41]

Glad to hear it Bob. I've missed your pics.

[1940plymouth]

Thanks for all the positive comments, oh my yes, it was good to get behind the wheel and go for a ride in it with Cooper. He was just as pleased as I was.

I have to work today at the transfer station today 11-7 for the town, they are calling for thunderstorms and over two inches of rain, so won't be driving the old girl today, but it is a great feeling to know that the "Wayback Machine" is parked in the garage ready to go again

There is a covered bridge in Livingston Manor, about 20-25 miles northwest of here that I want to get some photos of with the Plymouth and Cooper, in fact that is where we were headed the day I noticed I didn't have a good brake pedal.

Now with a new pinion seal, new inner and outer axle grease seals, rear brake lines and wheel cylinders, we should be good to go until the next problem, which there always seems to be with these old cars, or atleast in my case:)

Again thanks everyone and I hope everybody has a great day,

Bob

[DLK]

Now with a new pinion seal' date=' new inner and outer axle grease seals, rear brake lines and wheel cylinders, we should be good to go until the next problem, which there always seems to be with these old cars, or atleast in my case:)

[/quote']

I would love to take more longer trips with my car but usually find myself in a 10 mile radius of home wondering what will strand me next. Be nice to see those covered bridge pics when you get them.