| bo8109b | -- 03-27-2010 @ 7:16 PM |
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The rear wheel bearing races which appear to be an intregal part of the axel housings are in bad shape. What is the fix for this? (1948 sedan) Carl K. This message was edited by bo8109b on 3-27-10 @ 7:42 PM
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| 40fordor | -- 03-27-2010 @ 8:04 PM |
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The worn surface of the axle housing hub must be machined so that replacement bearing bushings (races) cam be installed. Most early Ford vendors have kits for this and two are required if both sides are defective. Others like SUPEREAL can give better instructions.
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| ford38v8 | -- 03-27-2010 @ 10:17 PM |
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Carl, this is a job for a machinist. The housing is turned down for the press-on race. I understand that there are some inferior races out there now, so you must go with a machinist who knows the source is good. Many Antique Ford dealers can take the job in and stand behind the work. Alan
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| supereal | -- 03-28-2010 @ 8:46 AM |
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That is a common problem with old Fords, appearing as damage to the underside of the axle housing bearing surface. As said above, there are repair sleeves available. C&G sells them for $59/pair as B-4012. To install, the rear axle housings must be removed from the banjo and placed in a lathe so the ends can be turned down to accept the sleeves. It takes a lathe with a large "swing" to do the job. C&G does this, but doesn't specify the cost. See page 65 in their catalog. There has been a problem with sleeves that were not sufficiently hardened, and soon disintegrated, so be sure to inquire of the vendor regarding quality. Many axle housings were damaged by failing to keep the roller bearings packed with the proper grease, which is the fibrous, yellow, "drum brake" type. The last one we saw damaged beyond repair was packed with synthetic grease, instead. Also, be sure to carefully examine the bearings. If you detect any pitting or other damage, they must be replaced. Usually, "script" (genuine) Ford bearings will survive, but there are many repros that will not hold up. There have been attempts to market sleeves that don't require machine work, but they often require special bearings that may not fit the race in the hubs.
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| jerry.grayson | -- 03-28-2010 @ 2:54 PM |
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The mystery of wear on rear axle bearing surfaces has never been understood by me. I have noticed that 46-48 housings are very often galled, while earlier years quite often with many miles remain slick. I have never used the sleeves for this problem and I just look for better replacements. I am not comfortable with the sleeve fix and roller bearings.
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| TomO | -- 03-29-2010 @ 7:41 AM |
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I had my housings sleeved in 1978 and they look just as good today as they did when installed. The galling happens when you don't pack the bearings regularly. Tom
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| supereal | -- 03-29-2010 @ 2:49 PM |
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It is likely that the increased rate of wear on the axle housings is due to the increased speeds after WWII. Prior to that time, gas and tires were rationed, and most drove at speeds well below 50 mph. Wear quadruples as speed doubles, caused more rapid deterioration of the axle housings which were not very hard to begin with.
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| Stroker | -- 03-29-2010 @ 4:05 PM |
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I can just hear the "Hot Rod Crowd" gathering up examples of Ford axle housings being used in high speed applications in an effort to discredit Super's comment. The Kenz & Leslie streamliner set many records over 200 mph at Bonneville, as did numerous Lakesters, and roadsters using the early Ford axle. I was involved in one project where we ran well over 260 mph with an early Ford axle with stock wheel bearings. So....the bearings are wonderful! Problem is, these records were all set with 3-passes over a 7 mile course. That's 21 miles TOTAL! "Out of sight, out of mind". We take rear wheel bearings for granted these days, as most are sealed ball units that basically last the life of the car. Early Ford rear wheel bearings require maintenance, and of course that involves the "dreaded" pulling of the rear drums. Given the lack of modern seals, and the consequences of destroying a perfectly good axle housing, I believe that the use of a good fiber-based grease as suggested in the previous post should be an annual inspection point. Hopefully, most of us will drive our cars over 21 miles this year.
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| ford38v8 | -- 03-29-2010 @ 5:43 PM |
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I think Stroker nailed it. In the good old days, everyone relied on the gas stations for not just a fill up and clean windows, but also to replace tires, batteries, belts, mufflers, water pumps, and of course, the oil change and lube jobs. Not every gas station had all the tools required for the job, so the wheel bearings got a shot from the grease gun to the zerk on the backing plate. This, of course, got on the brake shoes, and earned the gas jockey a brake job for his indifference! Alan
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| ptero | -- 05-30-2010 @ 9:50 PM |
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The instructions for the bearing sleeve kit I bought require machining away what amounts to half of the thickness of the axle housing to make a proper press fit for the sleeves. This would seem to greatly weaken the axle housing. Am I reading this correctly? I am thinking of machining the the inner diameter of the sleeves a bit to leave more material on the housing. Any suggestions?
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| supereal | -- 05-31-2010 @ 8:28 AM |
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The housings have to be reduced enough to allow a press fit of the sleeves. Don't reduce the inner diameter of the sleeves, or you will reduce or eliminate the advantage of the replacement. The load bearing capacity of the axle housing is considerable, and breakage hasn't been a problem if the replacement is done properly, as the sleeve is less likely to break than a badly galled housing. Tampering with the sleeve will likely interfere with the hardening necessary for the load.
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