Need to remove rear axles to replace bearings. HOW????

[doogan]

In the process of restoring a 1949 Pilot House pickup and replacing all wheel and differential bearings.   How do I remove the rear axles allowing removal of the differential?  I will need to remove the bearing race as well.  How is this removed once the axle is out?   Also it being the 4:11 ratio will the car ring gear and pinion fit in this housing? 

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A lot of questions here but am really trying to make a good dependable.  Thanks in advance guys.

 

Don

[Fowl Jeff]

Don - if you search this forum there is a nifty technique for cutting a small piece of PVC pipe - maybe 2" or so - and placing it behind the brake drum to act as a shim. I used a piece of 3" pipe. Remove the backing plate and put the shim against the axle housing, position the drum against the shim so the axle barely pokes through, and tighten the axle nut against the drum. As you tighten the nut it gradually pulls the axle out of the housing.

 

I suspect your best bet for getting the race out is to take apart the differential and remove the carrier. Then take a length of pipe long enough to extend out the other side, position it against the race, and wack it with a BFH. You'll probably have to work from side to side so it doesn't get cocked and jam. This is basically what I did and it worked fine.

 

Not sure on the car ring gear and housing - that depends on the car - but I do know that my B2B has a car diff in it, so yea it's possible. BTW I just did my rear and still have part numbers for bearings & races if you need them..

 

- Jeff

[P15-D24]

Pull the brake drums and backing plate. Using a slide hammer attach to the nut on the axle, give it a couple slams and the axle will come out. Using the slide hammer again with a hook remove the inner seal and race. Repeat on the other side. Disconnect driveshaft, unbolt the pumpkin bolts and slide it out. You will need a press to get the bearing off the axle. 

[doogan]

Thanks guys, got it all done and ready to go back in.  Still not sure of the differential swap.  I am thinking the car differential would fit in the truck housing.  By the way, I found another complete rear end but it is 4:11 as well

[Merle Coggins]

Yes, the car differentials of the same era will bolt right in. I have a 3.73 diff assembly from a '50 Plymouth in my truck. I got lucky and traded with a guy that had it and wanted a 4.10 diff. I had a spare 4.10 diff assembly from my parts truck. If you find one from a mid to late '50s it may have a finer spline count on the side gears, but I believe those can be swapped. Also, the input flange will be different but you can swap that from the truck diff as well.

 

Merle