The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Need help repairing 2 speed axle.

1946 chevy cabover with two speed axle. Need good parts website and service instructions or would it be wise to simply upgrade to a modern axle? :confused:

Cajun,
The guys who know ought to be along soon.

Is there anything wrong with your axle now? Or do you just want to service it?

Bill Marlow has a '46 COE and we have a bunch of other guys who are experts on these things can probably tell you where to find stuff. I found some parts for my '49 2-speed at NAPA. I want to replace seals and bearings next, so answers to your questions should help me, too.

Thanks for using the Stovebolt Page!

John

what doesnt work on it first? the cable shift, the shifter mechanism... or in the rear vacuum motor?

John the seals & bearings are all available from the Flaps. The instructions are in the shop manual or repair manual. That stuff is big & heavy.

I would like to replace my seals to, I must ask - whats the flaps? Thanks watching + Listening and hopefully learning.

Well fatweed Im in the process of just trying to replace what I think will be necessary for road ready service:(bearings, seals,diff oil and what ever it takes to make that two speed safe and very functional.

John milliman thanks for the napa tip. I will check with the napa people in the morning.

the two speed itself does work then? i guess for pm, if it doesnt howl and shifts ok. you could replace the pinion seal, but i wouldnt if it isnt leaking, and maybe the wheel seals, but there again if they arent leaking. You could change the gear lube if ya want. If its workin ,as the old adage goes dont fix it...???? if the two speed isnt working or shifting, its probably the rubber diaphram on the rear end. easiest way to check that is pull both vaccum lines, and pull vacuum on it and see if either side leaks.... can even just suck on it. to make it shift or move though would take probably a little more than ya can suck....

if its the shifter mechanism on the frame thats run from a cable, you can usually i think just clean those up and replace o rings i think, dont remember rebuilding one for sure...

If it shifts, does not leak much, and there is no watter in the lube then I would leave it alone for now and try it out on the road for a while.

After that you may have a better idea of what work it may or may not require.
When you replace your rear brake shoes it would be a great idea to replace the outer axle seals and clean and inspect the rear hub bearings.

Grigg

You guys are a great help. There is no sign of leaks as i can and for what I have as a history it was not an over worked truck. I will drive it after doing some brake work and inspecting outer seals and inspect the hub bearings as Grigg has mentioned.

I found a service manual for the Eaton 2-speed rear on line here. Better than buying one or getting greasy fingerprints on yours.

Old Chevrolet Manuals On-Line