The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1946 Chevy 1/2 ton driver's side (left) rear axle race coming off

Just posted in the "Parts Wanted" forum about this, but thought I'd throw it out here, too.

The axle I've got has spun the race off more than once - just doesn't fit tightly enough. From what I've seen, the race is part of the axle, not a separate part number. The axle looks to be a fairly specific application for '41-'46 1/2 ton only - the bigger trucks use a different axle. The 1/2 ton axles are apparently made out of unobtainium.

Worst case I'm thinking about putting a few spot welds to hold the race in place - last time I used Permatex green sleeve dressing and it lasted about 3000 miles. Yesterday it spun off and I had to disassemble on the side of the road to drive it back on and limp home - no fun. Any leads or suggestions would be most welcome.

Hi Dave; Unless yours is different than mine the bearing rides on the axle. My axel was pitted and the splines shot. I looked all over the US no one would make me new ones. I finally found a set with good splines but still had pits on the bearing surface. I spaced my bearings out 1/2 inch and so far has worked. I have pictures in photobucket. My next plan was to have the axle ground down and press fit a hardened sleeve.

I have an axle with that style bearing sleeve on it , a standard fix for the axle being worn. The bearing race can be retained with a little loctite 640 or even 680 if it is really loose. Proper cleaning and cure time works fine.

1933-40 used a race pressed on the axle from the factory.
Group 5.855
Part #111122
A 1940 axle is a direct replacement in a 1941-46 so that is why your 46 has one, that or your axle was turned down to accept one.
I would either find a replacement axle or use Loctite as Dusty suggested.

David, I'm just up the road in S.C. and I think I can help you with what you need.....drop me a PM.

Are the sleeves available or do you have to have one made?

NOS is all I have, or have seen.

Hi Dusty,

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried Permatex green - which is a supposedly non removable sleeve dressing the last time the race spun off. The guy at the machine shop I took it to to have the race pressed back on told me it was pretty loose and he didn't have to put much pressure at all on it to press it back on. We cleaned it up with acetone, put on the sleeve dressing and pressed the race back on. I let it sit up for a week before reassembly - lasted 3000 miles. Let me tell you, it's no fun pulling a rear axle on the side of the road with the truck sitting on a bottle jack - good way to get squashed like a bug.

Is the Loctite 680 a superior product to the Permatex sleeve dressing? Looks like Locktite 648 has an even greater shear strength than 680. Anybody here have any experience using that? I hate to pitch this axle - the race is in good shape and the splines are perfect - I bought it NOS about 25 years ago and have been running it ever since. If I could just keep that sucker in place once and for all I would be one happy trucker.

Hey Pre '68 Dave,

Do I read you right - you have an NOS axle that will fit my truck? I show Group # 5.420 Part # 3652341 from my 1957 parts book.

I got the part number out of both my 1942 and 54 parts books. I did not check later books but there most likely was a part number change.
I do have some NOS races.
PM me if you want to talk about them.

I think I may have found the sleeve locker that's up to the job - check this out:

http://www.tooldex.com/loctite-2144...pxBLmDMcugWPv1U0VSGoOUwCrHmnwaAiFa8P8HAQ

Anyone tried this product? Fills up to 0.015 inch max gap and has 4500 psi shear strength. Temp rating is only up to 300 degrees, though. Don't think that would be a problem for an axle race application. Opinions?

....after reading this thread for the past couple days I remembered how I once put a sleeve on an axle but "pinged" the axle good before doing it. Never had another problem. I've also pinged the housing on 55 chevy before sliding in the race/bearing. I'm sure others have done it to.

I did the same thing on the front hubs of my 53 for a loose race. It also worked fine. Just have to try and be consistant around the diameter. I suppose you try and knerl the shaft if its not too hard. Also shim stock and heat the sleeve cool the axel.

Thanks for the tips. Going to try to replace the race and dimple the axle shaft. Nobody has replied about the Loctite 638 - sounds like a better sleeve cement than the Permatex green that I tried before. Good shear strength, but only good up to 300 degrees. Can't imagine an axle bearing running that hot, though. Any thoughts about this product?

Hi, David, check with local machine shops about having the axle spray welded and then machined back to original size.

Thanks, hippy - I'll look into it.

Following up on this problem. Pre68Dave hooked me up with a NOS race and I took it to a machine shop here that I know. We pressed the new race on with Locktite 638 - strongest sleeve locker they make. So far I've put about 2000 miles on the repair and it's holding fine. Fingers crossed.

Thanks again, Dave

Oh well, the problem's back. Spun the race off on my way to Thanksgiving dinner and spent $148 getting her back home. Toasted the brakes on the driver's side as well. Got about 5000 miles before the race spun off again. No turkey for me. l-Looking for a new or good used driver's side rear axle - I've had it with trying to fix the old one.

I would look for a 1941-46 axle, it does not have a removable race.
If you can't find one locally I can help, although shipping would be a pain.

Sending you a PM, Dave.

David, I have a 46 half ton rear end out back. Your in Ga. so your fairly close to Spartanburg. Come on up and get it....

Dave Bush , says , I show Group # 5.420 Part # 3652341 from my 1957 parts book.

Dan's Obsolete
Chinook, Montana
phone: 406-357-2615

Dan's has the LEFT axle GM # 3652341 GM NOS in stock.

from my Parts Manual: L. 28 3/4 " O.L., stamped 3652341

He also has the RIGHT side axle GM # 3652342

GM NOS in stock.

from my Parts Manual: 29 3/4" O.L., stamped 3652342

Maybe it would be best to replace both axles since

both are nearly seventy years old.

If you need any other GM NOS parts for your axle

repair. Please post up the GM part #'s and I'll see

what I can find for you.

Most here on stovebolt have a real disdain for GM

NOS parts and would rather have used parts or

made in china parts.

I tried to find you a used axle or a made in china

axle.

I could not find ether.

I could only find GM NOS......sorry.

Hey Alvin and '54 3600. Thanks to both of you for your responses. Alvin, I think I'm going to check with Dan's Obsolete first since I'd rather have an NOS axle than a used one. If that doesn't work out I may give you a shout. Hey '54 3600 - can't believe you found them - been looking for quite a while for NOS. Thanks very much!

Oh yeah - you can keep every bit of the made in China junk - don't want any of it ;>)

David Bush, says, Hey '54 3600 - can't believe you found them - been looking for quite a while for NOS. Thanks very much!

Dan's Obsolete has ( 4 ) LEFT side axles GM # 3652341

He also has ( 2 ) RIGHT side axles GM # 3652342

If you buy them let's hear how much he charged for these

rare GM NOS parts.

I'm sure lots of stovebolters are wondering how much for NOS axles.


Found another source for these GM NOS axles.

NOS Parts Source
Olathe, Kansas
phone: 913-220-5746

NOS Parts Source has ( 1 ) right side & ( 1 ) left side axle.

His prices are usually outrageously high !

But at least it's another source.

Who ever said, car/truck restoration was cheap !

Hey '54 3600,

Still trying to get together with Dan on this, but he wants pics and measurements. Apparently he's sold them before and had them come back as the wrong part - wants to be sure before he ships. Going to deal with it this weekend if possible, but I've got to work also, so I'll do it when I can. Thanks again for the lead - I think he's got what I need. I'll report back if we get together.

Here's ( 4 ) photos of GM NOS axle - GM # 3652342 - Right Side

Bruce Bugay in Virginia had it up on ebay a month or so ago.

I don't know if it sold on ebay. He had it up for $75.00 & shipping.

You can check with Bruce to see if he still has it.

[email protected]

He usually answers his emails within ( 24 ) hours.

I've purchased many nos parts from Bruce...always great parts.

Photos@photobucket

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/...20Right%20Side/3652342_a_zpsjoa2dmbf.jpg


http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/...20Right%20Side/3652342_b_zpsgjfns49x.jpg


http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/...20Right%20Side/3652342_c_zpsfbqlanwt.jpg


http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/...20Right%20Side/3652342_d_zps1luliomn.jpg


If it's still available it looks like it only needs

minimal cleanup before installing.

That looks like what I have except the race appears to be cast as part of the axle. Problem is that I need the left and it's a different length. I think Dan has it, and for similar money. Just sent him pix tonight, so we'll see what happens. Thanks again for the sleuthing - much appreciated.

Finally got the order in for the NOS left axle with Dan. Price was $75 plus shipping. Will report once it comes in.

David Bush, That's real good news that the NOS axle is on the way.
Please post up some good photos of the new axle.
Maybe you can get a clear photo of the stamped forging number.

Will do once I get it - from what he told me, this is the axle with the bearing race machined in instead of being a press on.

Axle came but not installed yet. Looks right. Bearing came too. Looks right. Will have lots of pics. Still looking for 1 part, so I put an ad in parts wanted - it's an oil deflector. Get that and wheel cylinder rebuild kit, shoes for both sides and 2 new axle shaft oil seals and I'm ready to reassemble.

Thanks again '54 3600.

David Bush,

axle seal photos @photobucket

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/glp0329/592441/Hub_Oil_Seal_GM_592441__zps4sszxf0m.jpg

&

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/glp0329/592441/3333333333333_zpso4o0cyst.jpg


David , this is the part you say you need ( oil

deflector ) GM # 370251

Dan's Obsolete has GM NOS: GM # 370251 , he has ( 4 ) in stock.


On the axle SEALS - original GM # 592441

This part # has SUPERSEDED to GM #

3814280

There are quite a few GM # 3814280's on ebay right

now.

Dan's also has GM NOS: ( 7 ) GM # 3814280 axle seals in

stock.


Special Note
to: David Bush,

I looked in the parts manual.

I see:

Group # 5.816 - GM # 370251

It is listed as a RING RETAINER

NOT an oil deflector.

&

Group # 5.815 - GM # 378548

is listed as a DEFLECTOR

Dan's also has ( 3 ) GM NOS GM # 378548.

May I suggest, double check your parts manual on the part/parts you need.


George
'54 3600

David Bush,

I'd like to see real nice photos of all of the

GM NOS parts you purchased or will purchase.

Your photos will be saved in my parts photo files

for future reference.

George
'54 3600

I've got a camera, but no cable to hook it to my computer - get one on Sunday. At this point I've found all the parts I need, I think. Will post a bunch of photos soon. I've got both versions of the axle now: the race machined into the axle itself (the NOS one I bought) and the axle with the press-on race (already had this type on the truck). I will photograph both and the other NOS parts I've found.

You're right about the 5.816/370251 - it's really a bearing retainer that goes against stops in the axle housing then the bearing goes right up against it with the oil seal driven in on top. As far as 5.392/377706 - oil deflector, my truck didn't have this part on either side. It hasn't had this part since 1987, when the axles were swapped the first time (I didn't do the work then). Not only do I not know quite what it looks like, I don't know what it's supposed to do. The oil seals are easy - NAPA still stocks them new, not NOS, which I prefer for oil seals.

You were asking about stamping numbers on the axles. I now have 3 axles, 1 right and 2 lefts. I can't find any stamped number anywhere on any of them.

OK, finally got the cable to hook my camera to the computer so I can share some photos.

Here's the NOS left axle shaft with the machined-in race:



Here's my old right axle shaft that has the press on race:



The race OD is identical on these two shafts - they are interchangeable.

Also, George was asking how the NOS axle was packaged. Pretty cool, actually - 70 year old packaging:

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/...%20shaft%20for%2046%20half%20ton_TAG.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/...le%20shaft%20for%2046%20half%20ton_C.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/...le%20shaft%20for%2046%20half%20ton_B.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/...axle%20shaft%20for%2046%20half%20ton.jpg

Just about ready to finally reassemble once I can get to a driveline shop to check balance on them and have the studs pressed in.

Hi dave the oil deflector is the sheet metal ring shown in your first photo. The old leather seals would leak so they have that ring that catches the grease and it comes out the hole on the axel/wheel stud mounting plate. I have photos of those parts. I moved my bearings out because of pits on the axel. Poor design by gm.

Hi GW. Actually, there are two oil deflectors: 1 big one goes on the axle flange and is held in place by the studs - that's what you're talking about. Technically, the big flat washer looking thing is called a bearing retainer (5.816/370251) - goes in first against a stop in the axle housing, then the bearing, then the oil seal. Can't figure the other oil deflector, though. 5.392/377706. Trying to get two of them, but they weren't in the assembly when I took it apart. If I can see it, I can figure out where it goes.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq286/blastenpene/46%20Chev/Axle_Only.jpg

Back again with more pics. Got the NOS bearing retainers in the other day. Big flat washer-looking piece. Here are pix:

Ruined axle race:

http://s456.photobucket.com/user/blastenpene/media/46%20Chev/DSC_0147.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

Ruined bearing retainer:

http://s456.photobucket.com/user/blastenpene/media/46%20Chev/DSC_0148.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

NOS beside torched bearing retainer:

http://s456.photobucket.com/user/blastenpene/media/46%20Chev/DSC_0150.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

No luck finding the mysterious oil deflector 5.392 / 377706. Since there wasn't one in there to start with - I'm not worrying about it. Decided to get the NOS passenger side axle as well and replace both of the press on race types. I'll store the pass side axle for future use or sale.