The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1953 Drive Shaft

Before I get started, yes I searched the topic and checked all my books but I must be over looking it somewhere. Anyway how do I remove the bell housing at the rear axel that holds the drive shaft? The unit is completly out of the truck, all I want to do is replace the gasket.

Thanks

I'm not sure I understand the question....which won't surprise some people, but if your asking what I think you are here goes.

If the gaaket it on the rear/backside of the housing then just simply take the bolts out and replace it.

If you need to replace the front gasket then thats a different story. Here you have to pull the rear cover. Then push in on the axles and take the little "horseshoes" off the ends of the axle so you can pull the axles out. Don't pull the axles out and leave them laying on the axle seals because it will cause them to start leaking. Now would be a good time to replace them.
Once the axles are out, take the nuts/bolts out around the front of the "pumpkin". Once you get that done get you some one to help hold or pick it up and pull it straight out. A engine puller works good.
Oh,there are a couple of "spider gears" that will "fall down" but don't get excited. Once the driveshaft/pumpkin is put back in you can put those little spider gears back in from the rear of the housing.
Now, if this is not what your looking for I needed to practice my typing skills anyway

Holly Cow, all that just to replace a gasket. I was thinking about removing the rivets at the end of the housing then slide the housing back, will that work?

Those rivets in the end of the Torque Tube does nothing but hole the "housing" that goes over the shaft that drives everything.
You don't remove the rivets to fix a gasket. The torque tube assembly is all one unit. In fact, in all my years I've never seen anyone cut those rivets off. I don't know why one would to that anyway. What you have is called an Enclosed Driveshaft. This changed to an Open Driveshaft in 1954.

Since you have it out of the truck this is not a "hard" job to do. It may be a little time consuming but the overall job with it out is not that bad. The gaskets and rearend lubricant is relatively cheap.....and you do NOT have to take the brake shoes and stuff off when you take the drum off because the axle will come right out between the brake parts.
The entire job should not take more than an hour or two of you have the tools.


**You are talking about the big round gasket that goes between the actual housing and rear end aren't you???

What type of tools are required, I have most of the common types. Nothing special for the rear end.

Nothing special required. Just some plain old standard American wrenches.
Since your torque tube assembly is out I think once you pull the wheels off all you need is a 9/16" wrench or socket....or maybe it was 1/2". Clean the surface good, put the gasket on and reverse the proceedure and your done. Piece of cake

Thanks for the info. The procedure was a lot easier than I thought, I just took me time and it came a part. One problem came up, when I tried to put the Tourque tube assembly back on some of the bolts would not accept the nut, the ends some how are strip and don't have the starter thread. Do you have any suggestions, I can't seem to find them any where to replace them.