The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk front axles

I have a 41 1/2 ton and I got a front end out from under a 54 1/2 ton. Will this fit right under my 41, and will the Bendix brakes work in conjunction with the hucks on the rear, I'm going to go to a dual master also. Dave

I am surprised to see that the same front axle was used from 1941-1954.

Guess that answers my question about fit, but what about the brakes, will there be an issue with bendix on front and huck on rear. How about discs on front and Hucks on rear. Is it easy to change from hucks to bendix on the rear? Will other years fit the rear,I might be able to get one from the sixties, would they work? Dave

I don't think you would have any problems with mixing the two brake systems.

Thanks

PLEASE check--I've read many times that a residual pressure valve is NECESSARY when you mix disc and drum brakes!

Residual pressure requirements are different for discs and drums (I believe 10psi for discs and 2psi for drums). Residual valves can be purchased to install in your brake system. If you plan to run drums in front for a while, be careful when you get your dual master. If it comes from a vehicle with front discs, it may have a 10psi valve built in (and maybe a 2psi one as well).
Also, if you are worried about interaction between fronts and rears from different eras, get a proportioning valve to fit in the rear brake line. You will be able to reduce the pressure to the rear brakes and make sure they won't lock up before the fronts.

Not only did they use it form 1941-1954, but it will bolt up under a 37, 38, 39 and 40 with no problems and is a heavier unit than the 37, 38, 39 and 40 unit. In addition, that axle will take the car backing plates and hubs from 49 - 54, allowing you to use Bendix brakes on the front and five lug wheels. It is a nice conversion for a truck that gives you many "upgrades" for safety and looks.

Sorry, I didn't see the part about discs. Having Bendix upfront and Hucks in the rear should not be a problem. I think with discs up front, you would want a dual Master, a booster and all the proper valves.

What dual master should I use, since I'm using the original 3 speed I don't think I can use a booster any preference out there? Since we are on the subject, if the axles are the same will a disc kit designed for an AD work for a 41?

Just found out, axles are the same but the springs are different, the 54 springs are about 2 inches longer.

I have a kingpin rebuild kit and I just tried the bushings in the spindles and they bounce around like a bb in a box car. The old ones came out tough but not corroded. Do you think there is a difference in size spindle bushings in the 54 than the 41-46? I checked the kinpin itself in the axle, I can push it in by hand, but not easy, when it is in it is solid, no motion.

It looks like the 1/2 ton replacement set is the same from 1941-1955-1st This set includes the 4 bushings.

Having been there and done that I can speak with some authority on the subject. the axle width is the same from 1929 (I think) to 1954 share the same dimension. The earlier ones have a smaller dimension king pin and bushings up to about 1936. From 1937 and later the king pins and bushings are the larger diameter. The spindles are of similar size and shape the only difference being the diameter of the king pins and bushings. As for the disc brake conversion, 1967 and later Chevelle and Camaro discs will work without modification except for spacing of the bearings to make needed clearance for the discs. I have done this modification several times, and it works great. To clean up the look of the disc installation I have made a mount bracket for the caliper which is an easy item to make, the stock bracket can be used as is if you want to save a bit of fabrication. Good luck, it is an easy conversion. As for Discs or Bendix front brakes and Huck rears, it works fine as long as you use the residual pressure valve for Discs, the Bendix and Huck brakes use the same residual valve.

Maybe some of this info found on Nostalgia Sid's site will be useful here and here.

Back to my kingpins again, I measured my spindle holes and they are 1.087 and the new bushings are 1..051. My king pin is .865. What is a standard bushing, I called napa today and they don't show bushing size in their information. Does anybody know what is going on here? Dave

There are oversized bushings for when the axle hole has wollered out and must be reamed or machined to a larger diameter. I don't know what is available now...
This page shows .010 OS for your 1/2-ton axle and .020 OS for some other applications.
You may need some custom bushings made.
Good luck.

Would a .010 oversize have a wall thickness of .005 or .010 I would think it would be .005