Thread: Bundalenes '51 Restoration

Wow, that was a long time away from my obsession, family and work commitments got in the way.

Our next goal is to get to a rolling chassis. The vehicle I am restoring came with original axle housings and 1 diff but little in the way of hubs and axle assemblies.

I have removed an assembly from a 53 80inch and I assume they are the same or very similar (by the parts book) I disassembled the front housing this afternoon. Normally I would have pressure cleaned this first, but the pressure cleaner is playing up. I need to get some new seals for the unloader valve. My first 2 attempts of replacing the O rings didn't work,

There are a number of things to be addressed in this front end - swivels, bearings, seals, front diff? front brakes (all sorts of issues). This is the first time I have seen a Tracta joint, having read about them and seen pics.

My work area is a bit cramped and needs a good tidy.


This afternoon we went from this








To this






Hopefully I am getting closer to bolt bits back onto the chassis!

Does anyone know any differences between the 51 (wide front springs) and the 53 in this area



Erich

I don't think there's any difference in the 51 and 53 springs. The one to watch for are the S2 springs are also able to fit but they have the slightly different positions for the keepers that hold the leaves together and this fouls on the steering linkage at full lock. Some times fitted by previous owners.

Hope your diffs are in better condition than klonks, I think it cost me about $280 just for the 4 bearings in each. The pinion bearing closest to the pinion gear cost the most, it's a different size to S2 and S2a.

Cheers Steve

We spent the whole day cleaning the parts removed yesterday, quite an effort.



From the likes of this








To this








This allowed us to closely inspect parts and see what is required, Good news the stub axles and drive flanges are OK, the right has a little slack, probably no more than half the Defenders out there and the really good. The wheel bearings were packed in heaps of grease, probably way too much and are in good condition, I probably don't need to replace these, though that are consumables IMHO. The rear seals were leaking slightly as the grease in the inner bearings was tinted black, Also both inner wheel bearings appeared a bit loose on the shaft though there was no sign of them spinning on the shaft. It may be prudent to install them with some retaining compound.










The axle splines also seem OK with no apparent wear nor evidence of twisting. The diff seems to be in good order with the slightest movement, although I haven't cleaned this yet. The diff housing had a lubricant with the consistency somewhere between grease and oil.






The right swivel pin connection (if that is what they are called) - the splined connection to the top of the swivel housing is unserviceable (stuffed) and the left one is quite good - not perfect by any means. The swivels were packed in a thick grease which I think is quite unsuitable but probably the only lubricant which would stay there as the seals were rock hard and the chrome has been worn away at places and will need attention.








As far as I could tell the tracta joints appear to be in good order, but the bronze bush in the end of the stub axle housing which I think should support the shaft adjacent to the tractor joint had a lot of clearance


Bronze bush in which the shaft in the background runs




I haven't got far with the brakes, other than to find one of the snail type adjusters is way too loose and the spring isn't working at all. This will have to be addressed. I think these are a grind to remove fitting? The snail bit seems OK. I may turn up the stepped retainer in the lathe.





The main item I am uncertain about is the bronze bush near the tracta joint. I must admit I haven't had time to research this.




Erich

I did a bit of pottering after our Australia Day lunch. A great way to spend a few hours, cleaning a few parts which were soaking in the molasses bath.








I also found a pair of good working shocks which scrubbed up pretty well. I am not sure if they are originals , but they look the part. These are Munros







Last thing, I thought I would have a go at removing the axle from the swivel hub. The short one is OK but the press I used isn't deep enough for the long one - have to go to plan B






Still taking bits apart, not turning the spanners in the correct direction yet!!

Erich

The main item I am uncertain about is the bronze bush near the tracta joint. I must admit I haven't had time to research this.

Erich[/QUOTE]


Hi Erich
I bought a brass bush from the bearing shop and cut it in half. The outside diameter was right for the axel stub housing, but the inside diameter was too small for the axel, so I pressed the bushes into the housing and machined them to size in the lathe at work.
Cost was about $15.

Cheers Steve

Going back through this over the course of today has been quite informative. It's shaping up well for you, well done

We did a bit of shopping today as I had to go to Karcraft anyhow. I was able to buy about 2/3 of the items I was after - mainly seals, tie rod ends, and hub nuts and tabs.

I also went to a hard chrome company in Silverwater with a swivel hub but the price just for the hard chrome without any polishing was $150 per swivel. I want to have the swivels chromed rather than other options I have read about. I may look at the exchange option.


Thanks for the info Steve, we have a pretty competitive bearing supplier up the road, just need to find time to get there. I might have to get a smaller boring bar, mine are large and larger, a good investment regardless.


I do have a set of adjustable reamers, but somewhere in my grey matter I remember that it is not good practice to ream out bronze bushes or was that sintered bronze?



Erich

Originally Posted by Bundalene

I do have a set of adjustable reamers, but somewhere in my grey matter I remember that it is not good practice to ream out bronze bushes or was that sintered bronze?

Erich

Yep don't ream sintered bronze

Cheers Steve