Thread: 2a GS Refurb ARN 178-334

Slowly assembling the front axle until I hit a problem..... One of the driveshafts wouldn't fit back into the axle housing, either the splines not fitting into the diff or the bearing not matched......After some investigation the problem was resolved.

I have a number of long & short front driveshafts that have been salvaged from a several different axles. They either have rust damaged inner axle bearing or rust damaged seal collar (or both !). I found a long driveshaft with a good inner bearing track and seal collar but didn't think about the mating part of the axle bearing ! Not good practice to mix & match bearing components but as most of them were Hoffman I thought it would be OK.
Turns out that Hoffman & SKF were used, the bearing external dimensions are controlled but the diameter of the inner race that the rollers bear on is different between manufacturers.

A lot of bearing outers have been thrown out due to rust damage but I managed to find one that fitted and drifted out the one in the swivel housing and refitted the replacement. In future as a shaft is removed i'll have to write the bearing manufacturer on the shaft unless I'm replacing the bearing.

DSCN4432 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

A few swivels either being repaired or ready to throw away (any usable bearings will be kept).

DSCN4428 by Colin Radley, on Flickr



Colin

Haven't had much spare time lately, if I have it's been in short bursts between running kids around, fixing the septic system, working on kids cars etc..........

Front axle is taking shape, I do have a problem getting one of the drums over the brake shoes so I need to investigate. Problem is backplates were from one axle, shoes relined but from another axle, wheel cylinders from yet another axle. All the parts should be interchangeable but something isn't quite right.

Ready for a freewheel hub or drive flange....
DSCN4464 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Need to get this side 'sorted'
DSCN4467 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Then looked at re-installing the fuel tank. I wanted to replace the piece of foam that sits round the filler & vent tubes. Stops dust dirt etc. getting in round the hole the pipes fit through but where to get one.....
Decided if I cut out a couple of pieces of aluminium I could clamp them either side of a piece of foam, compress it down and then cut with a sharp knife.

DSCN4480 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

DSCN4481 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Probably could have made it a bit bigger & a bit neater but the principle works and it'll do......

DSCN4482 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

I have to get the front axle that's currently fitted out and install this one when finished so I made up a couple of dollys that will sit under the spring plates and when strapped in place will allow the axle to be rolled in & out under the vehicle.

DSCN4485 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

I could have just put wheels on and rolled the axles out & in but this way I don't have to lift the vehicle up so high because wheels aren't fitted and it will exit & enter from the side.





Colin

Uncovered the original rear axle (it had been fitted with a Salisbury when I got it) and moved it into the garage.

DSCN4531 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Had to drill the heads off two of the countersunk screws holding the drums on, the others came out with a 'seeing to' with an impact driver. Drums rusted inside and the linings came off the shoes as I removed them.

Hopefully there is no water inside this one, fingers crossed, otherwise I'm looking for a diff again.....


Colin

No water in the diff oil when drained so hopefully the diff is usable.

Managed to get some exchange brake shoes for $25 so time to strip & inspect.

Started stripping the axle and found this
DSCN4541 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Looks like a hub may have come off at some point allowing the backplate to drag along the road. The inside of the drive flange was polished as though the hub nut had made contact.

Don't have a spare backplate so neatened this one with the help of an angle grinder.


Colin

Stripped the rear axle and starting to paint it.

Removing paint from the axle casing I found this repair.
DSCN4545 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

I wonder how the damage happened ? Anyway, the diff looked in good condition so once the casing is painted I'll re-assemble.
Brake cylinders came up OK. Girling ones with hard chromed pistons but some corrosion in the bore so a quick hone and a new kit fitted with red rubber grease.

Just need to work out what to do with the brake drums. They need machining to remove corrosion so I might machine the faceplate of the lathe, drill some holes for mounting bolts and give it a go.....but maybe find out the cost for a brake joint to do the job first.

DSCN4547 by Colin Radley, on Flickr



Colin

Rear axle is nearly finished.
Ended up getting the drums machined (BGT Brakes in Dandenong), just need to fit the shoes & drums.

DSCN4554 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Decided the fuel tank was getting in my way in the garage so re-fitted it.

DSCN4566 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Probably need to drop the other tank and check it out....

Found that the headlights & sidelights don't work so when I move it to fit the axles that's another thing I need to look at.


Colin

Had some time during the week and thought I'd better look at the pinion seals on the axles, no drips but an unknown quantity.

One was leather and past it's use by date the other was a modern seal in a steel housing. An absolute pain to remove so I ended up unbolting the seal housing to drift them out then used the press to fit a modern replacement.
I had a couple of seals in stock but sourced a couple more from a local bearing supplier.

Undoing the nut

DSCN4596 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Re-fitted using Permatex sealant on the brass shim. Not sure why it's a brass shim rather than a gasket but re-installed it.
Found that the mud shield sections were some distance apart on one axle so carefully tapped the shield so that the gap was reduced to a minimum to keep mud/dirt away from the seal.

Struggling for time at present so Corowa seems to be getting closer with little progress. need to get some sides on the shed, re-fit the hoops and track down where the new canopy is hiding.
Need to fit the axles, look at the engine (smoking a bit at present), fit replacement doors, change the windscreen frame, tidy the wiring, get the brakes working.......

There is then the trailer I've been gifted that needs modifying for the Series I (to get to Cooma), some minor work on the Series I, still haven't done the cambelt change on the Defender, the Dormobile has been on the backburner so need to get it mobile again.



Colin

Salisbury axle coming out.

DSCN4610 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

DSCN4612 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Hard work single handed but nobody around to help, too busy on Facebook/Youtube. Usual problems with seized bolts etc., just need to find a suitable drive shaft for the Rover diff going back in.

The owner before the one I purchased the IIa from had swapped out both axles and decided on a Salisbury for the rear. Not sure about it's condition but the drive flanges have been welded to the drive shafts !!
Luckily the original axles came with the vehicle when purchased.


Colin