1950 Plymouth P20 drivetrain issue

[Guest labaglia]

Hi there

I recentely traded my 1971 Doddge demon for a 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe P20 sedan. The Plymouth is in much better shape as far as the body goes but the machanical part is a little "sick"...

One of the latest issues that I've found is the excessive game in the rear axle. Initially I found out very worn wheel bearings so I started by trying to change them. By removing the drivetrain with my mechanic friend it looked like the axle shafts are too short and they do not rest properly in position, there is even abnormal wear on the drums and shoes...

Now I know that the car has been partially restored could it be that when putting it back together they used the wrong size axle? Those in the car right now measure 30,5 inches. Does anybody know what the correct length should be?

Or am I totally off and the problem is elsewhere?

I was told that there is a thrust block in the rear axle that looks like a steel cube, and both of the rear axles ends push against this block. If the thrust block is worn away, it will cause excessive end play in the axles.

Also there are shims under the rear brake backing plate. This backing plate is what holds the axles in the rear end. There aren't any clips in the center section, like moder rear ends. The shims the method of adjusting the end play in the axles, more shims = more end play.

Thank you for any help/tip

[greg g]

boy 24 reads and no responses yet. Sorry, I can't help much, but you may want to consider swaping in a newer rear end.

You would net better brakes, with e brake, a lower gear ratio for more relaxed hiway speeds, and probably less work than rebuilding you questionable current one. lots of options mopar b bodies, ford, jeep cherokee 2wd. most will need a drive shaft modification, but most of the donors mentioned need some small spring pad mods to bolt in.

[Normspeed]

On the axle length, I have a book that says 49-52 Plyms use a 31 5/8" axle. 37-48s use a 31 1/4" axle. So it looks like there might be a problem on the axle length.

[Guest labaglia]

Well two replies is better than none ;-)

Swapping in a new rer end seems nice but costly for the moment so I'll try and find the proper length axles

Anybody knows where I should start?

Sory for all the questions but I' m really new to this

Thanks

[Don Coatney]

First thing you should do is buy a service manual for your car. They are available on the bay on a CD or in book form. An alternative is to find a MoToRs manual (also available on the bay) that covers the year of your car. Once you have the manual you will see how the differencial assembly goes together.

[Young Ed]

Seems very unlikely that someone would go to the trouble to find 2 incorrect axles to replace the ones in that housing. What area are you in? Someone might have a complete housing that they took out for a modern one.

[Guest labaglia]

Well I do actually have 3 different service manuals (even a french one friom France)but none said what the size of he axle siould have been...

I live in Montreal Quebec if evere anyone has an extra axle to sell I'll be more than interested

Thanks