The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts coleman axle

does anybody have some kind of instructions and a diagram of how to lubricate kingpins and bearings on a Coleman front axle in my '72 GMC 7500 6X6

Are they open or closed CV joints, if closed with wipers they should lube the berings and pins with the diff oil, but if open then most likely the pins don't need to be lubed, and the berings need to be taken out and packed once awhile.

they don't have CV joints in the axle shaft like the Rockwell instead they have a big hub with a gyroscope type thing that is attached to the hub and axle i will try to get pictures later today.

ok i went and started taking it apart and then found out the brakes had grease all over them. i think that somebody put the seal on backwards. whats the best way to get the grease off of the shoes?

heres more pictures http://community.webshots.com/album/563616467iqvoxl

There is no good way other than having them relined. Once they get oil or grease on them it soaks in and you can't get it all out. When you use the brakes the heat will draw more oil out, you can't win.

If you absolutely have to reuse them as is, first wash them with some brake clean. Then carefully, soak them is a shallow pan with white gas (Coleman fuel) and once you think they are soaked through drain most of the extra gas out of the pan, then light the remainder and the shoes on fire. Supposedly this will get more of the grease out, but nothing gets it all out.

Grigg

I'll try that. if you look at the pictures do you think the wheel seal is on backwards? also do you think that i could use the white gas then light it then use a torch to heat a little bit then soak in the gas again or would that weaken the lining too much?

I don't know about the wheel seals, what does the manual say? It could be that the more important job is keeping dirt out,.. or is it grease in? best to check the manual.

Repeating the soaking and lighting may do something, not sure on heating with a torch. Again, you won't get it all out, and relining them is best. If you are gong to clean and repack the bearings, and install a new seal, then you may as well do a good job on all of it and fix the brakes properly at the same time.

Brakes are an important feature on a vehicle, even more important on a heavy truck.

Grigg

Thats a FABCO design front axle, with compensator rings instead of U joints, its been years since I've played with one of them, I do remember Salinas Valley Ford telling me to bring lots of money for the comp rings if I ever needed one.

Abento do you now about which way the seal goes on?

Grigg i don't have a manual for the axle just the rest of the truck do you know where to get one?

these brakes are the best ones i have ever used i didn't take it apart because of the brakes.

A quick search on Ebay for "Coleman manual" revealed this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Amer...itemZ220265784912QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
It appears to be what you need.

Grigg

i went out and took seal out and called NAPA with the # and they said their books don't show anything. it looks more like a square o ring with a lip on it that goes on the spindle instead of a seal that presses into the hub. the # is AHS 74-8 if anyone has another # for it i would like to know it please.

Don't forget about that manual, it has about 3 hours to go, and no bids yet:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220265784912&rd=1

Grigg

i just put a bid on it

And won too,
Congratulations!

Grigg

Sorry, I can't quite tell from the pictures and haven't seen one since I got rid of the half cab truck.

do you guys know where i could get the seal? i went to NAPA and Northwest bearing and neither could get it.