The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 2 questions please

First, i am putting a rear bumper on my 1/2 ton and as usual the holes in the brackets don't line up with the ones in the frame.Should i drill the holes bigger in the brackets or in the frame.Second,i put a rear end in my truck out of a '73 firebird.When i started driving it last year people told me i had a wobble in my left rear wheel.The shop that i use said it was the axle.SOOOOOOOO since i've been a bolt member, you all have given me the confidence?? to pull my own axles out.We sent them out to a driveline shop and he said the axle in question had a wow in the middle of the shaft and that it would'nt affect the wheel.I'm thinkin differently,seems to me any wow there would transfer to the wheel Your thoughts please.(I know i know, should have checked the wheel first.)Give me 20 lashes with a wet noodle.

Roy

Roy,

I'm with you on the 'WOW' in the axle...it has to be dead nuts straight from stem to stern or you will see it at the wheel. Don't take any work to that drive line shop for sure.
Stuart

I wouldn't use any axle with a "wow" in it, regardless of where it was located. That's got to put stress on the bearings, and yes, you will see it at the wheel. If you want to keep from replacing the entire rearend, you might look into a set of aftermarket axle shafts. Check the flaps, you might be able to still get replacement axles for a reasonable price.
On the bumper issue, I would suggest taking the mounting bolts loose from the frame. Just loosen them enough to allow you to "float" the brakets around a bit. That should give you enough slack to alighn the bumper to the brakets. Get the whole thing centered, then tighten the bolts.

Bill, the truck never had a rear bumper when i bought.The brackets that came with the bumper don't line up.The holes in the frame are about 3/8 of an inch lower than in the bracket.I guess my question is, which is the lesser of the two evils.Driling the bracket or the frame ?

Bill, when you say flaps, what are you refering to ?

I'd drill the brackets to allow for play.
Flaps is one of the terms you'll see alot on this board. It's short for Freindly Local Auto Parts Store.

Thanks bill,preciate the info.Still learnin the lingo.Will let you know how i make out.

Roy

OK I knew what the "Jesus" clip was but what is a WOW.

a "wow!!" is what happens when ya realize how bent outta shape the part really is

Bill

Thanks. I can't imagine a guy calling it a WOW & say its no problem.
I used the "jesus" clip expression one time in the shop & being I'm Jewish one of my Christian friends got on my case.

Are you really Jewish? I thought there were no Jewish mechanics. Don't get me wrong, the Jewish people are the most talented people on earth, but usually they are doctors, lawyers, or scientists.

O/T but funny, this reminds me of something that happened in our shop. Had a fella that worked for us that was very religous named Stuart. Well, one day, a regular customer (to me anyway) came in to have his car worked on. It turned out his name was Jesus (he was Mexican). Ol' Stuart grabs the workorder, read the name, and proclaimed that he refuses to work on any car that belonged to someone who "mocked our Lord and Saivour by claiming his name ans his own". I let him rant for a bit, the explained that it was pronounced "Hey-Zeus", and that the owner was of Hispanic decent. Got a dopey look out of him while he let it soak in. He didn't realize that was how that name was spelled!

Hey, don't forget they are also carpenters!

Yes. Full blooded. It is rare to find a Jew doing this kind of work. My dad did though, I guess thats where I got it from. A while back my partner asked me if I would mount a couple of new tires on his pickup. Let me get this straight, you want a 74 year old Jew to mount tires on a truck. He didn't know what to say. I did it though.

Wrenchbender is a doctor of Stovebolts !!!!!

And a heck of a nice guy!

You guys are going to swell up my head. George