Rear axle restoration

[fireguyfire]

I’m in the middle of the restoration of my Uber rare 1958 Fargo Sweptside 1/2 ton and it’s now time to fully renew and repaint the rear axle.

I have restored lots of late 60’s muscle cars but this is my first 50’s truck axle with the tapered axles and hubs etc.

 

I have a couple of initial questions as I tear the axle down. I have a hub pulled to pull the hub/drum assemblies off (on the passenger side assembly someone has drilled the drum to hub rivets so they are separate; will this be an issue? ).

After the hub/brake drum assemblies are off, do I need a special tool to remove the axles as well, or can I make do with something common?

 

I am also looking for any hints/tips/tricks from you guys and gals that have fully restored these type of axles before.

Even ordering advice would be great such as when to remove the pinion nut to get at the pinion seal, etc.

 

Thanks!

[Tooljunkie]

2 hours ago, fireguyfire said:

I’m in the middle of the restoration of my Uber rare 1958 Fargo Sweptside 1/2 ton and it’s now time to fully renew and repaint the rear axle.

I have restored lots of late 60’s muscle cars but this is my first 50’s truck axle with the tapered axles and hubs etc.

 

I have a couple of initial questions as I tear the axle down. I have a hub pulled to pull the hub/drum assemblies off (on the passenger side assembly someone has drilled the drum to hub rivets so they are separate; will this be an issue? ).

After the hub/brake drum assemblies are off, do I need a special tool to remove the axles as well, or can I make do with something common?

 

I am also looking for any hints/tips/tricks from you guys and gals that have fully restored these type of axles before.

Even ordering advice would be great such as when to remove the pinion nut to get at the pinion seal, etc.

 

Thanks!

Hub to drum rivets-as long as the center hole seats even on the hub shoulder, its no different than today’s brake drums. 
once hubs are off,backing plate  bolts are removed and that removes bearing retainer. Maybe a slide hammer to remove axles. 

[JBNeal]

After the backing plate is removed, a flat bar with a hole drilled in it can be placed on the axle shaft, held in place with the axle nut, and a hammer can be used on that flat bar to knock the shaft out of the carrier...tho I believe the shop manual shows a special puller that threads onto the axle shaft and pushes against the axle housing flange.  The tapered axles that I have dismantled had enough wear and were still lubricated so they came apart with little effort.

[Merle Coggins]

I've pulled a couple axle shafts with a slide hammer puller. I've also used spacers (long sockets) over the backing plate studs, then put the drum onto the shaft against the spacers. Your spacers should be just long enough so that you can get the axle nut started with a thread or 2. Then tighten the nut and it will pull the axle out. Don't tighten too much once the drum seats onto the shaft again or you'll  have to break out your hub puller to get it back off again. You may need to reset with different length spacers to get the job done, but it'll work. 

[fireguyfire]

Thanks for the tips; got the hubs and axles out today without too much trouble.

Just need to get the pinion out then I can refresh the housing and install new seals, shoes, cylinders, etc

[fireguyfire]

So I’m reassembling my rear axle on my 58 Sweptside after fully restoring it.

I’ve decided to replace the rear axle shaft bearings and races since I have them out and I don’t know their condition; looking at them I am guessing they are the originals.

One of the few jobs I have never done is to remove and replace axle bearings.

can someone give me a quick rundown on the procedure and any hints or tips?