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| | | | Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 40 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 40 | Hi All,
I am disassembling my 1940 1/2 ton rear axle and the axle housing under the leaf spring mounting brackets are paper thin and cracked. Is this a typical failure? Any way to deal with it besides finding a new axle housing?
Thanks, John | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Without seeing it hard to say for sure, but sounds like a new/better one would be first choice.
If considering welding and patching also consider how welding pulls and distorts things, will it remain or once again be true enough to not cause bearing trouble? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 40 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 40 | Thanks Grigg,
Yes I would worry about distortion if I tried to weld in a patch and then I would still have worn out spring mounts to find and replace. I am looking at a rear end from a 1954 3100. The spring spacing looks like it will work, the price is right and it already has the 3.55:1 gears, which was why I was disassembling mine. However, the torque tube is almost 4 inches longer. Any idea if the torque tubes are interchangeable (I would have to use my bearing caps too) | | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 | Which tube is longer? Yours or the one you are considering? I have installed the same TT assembly in a 1940 one ton. We did have some issues with Torque tube length. How long is the bed of your truck?
The banjo housing (the part on your truck that is damaged) is identical. You may need to relocate a few things but the dimensions are similar.
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns.....1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-TonThe GreenMachineIn the Stovebolt Gallery | | | | | Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 40 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 40 | Thanks Sweet,
My truck is a short bed, not sure of actual length as I have a 1939 bed that has been somewhat butchered. The rear end that I was considering (and purchased) has a longer and larger diameter torque tube. The axle housing has different leaf spring and shock mounts and it looks like the wheels will be about 1" wider apart than original. I think it will all work if I can swap the torque tube. I will soon know. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 40 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 40 | Hi Grigg and Sweet,
The 1954 rear end I bought will work with my torque tube and drive shaft. And since it already had the 3.55:1 gears and the seller only wanted $150 it will actually save me money. The only downfall is my truck will be that much less original but that was never my main focus. Thanks again for your help.
John | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | The bolt pattern for the torque tube is the same from 1940-62.
Axle splines are the same also.
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