Problem with Columbia rear

Automotive Stud

Automotive Stud

Well-known member
I have a columbia rear for my '35 Ford I bought unseen last winter. It's all there, but with it on the ground there's about a quarter turn worth of play in the drive shaft before the wheels start to turn. I have experience with banjo rears but I've never had a columbia that wasn't hooked up and running before. What should I check on this thing to get it back into service? Thanks
 
You may experience a little more "Play" in a Columbia rear end then a convential, but I do not know if I would expect as much as a 1/4 turn. You may start with draining the oil in a CLEAN pan and see if there seems to be metal or other debree in the oil. If everything looks as you would expect, then I would re-fill it and go for a ride.

A WORD OF CAUTION. DO NOT use HEAVY GEAR OIL!!!!

Use 75W-90. Fill it up to the bottom of the fill hole in the COLUMBIA HOUSING. Then, with the rear axle on Jack Stands, run the car in low gear at a fast idle for a few minutes while the Columbia is in DIRECT. Check the oil level and re-fill as necessary. Run in OVERDRIVE for a few more minutes and again re-fill as necessary. Put the car on the ground and go for a short drive. If the Columbia works like it should and sounds fine, I would say everything should be OK.

Short of taking everything apart, it is difficult to really tell where the play is coming from.

Keep us posted as to what you find.

Chris.
 
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I have at least a dozen Columbia's and put molly grease in with the lube oil to the consistancy of honey in all of my rears and transmissions. I live where it's hot all year and never had any problems in well over 150,000 miles which 106,000 is on my 39 convertible. You have to have both wheels on the ground or have someone hold both axles when you check it. Just move the drive shaft a little bit back and forth first so you can feel the ring and pinion. If you move the shift arm toward the center of the rear it will be in Columbia, towards the wheel it is out. Just remember in is in and out is out. I would drain the oil and leave both filler plugs and the drain plug out and rinse it out with diesel fuel, mineral spirits or kereo using a syphon type air operated parts washing gun. About $12.00 from parts stores. Let it drain good and fill it with the oil of your choice. Fill it to the bottom of the Columbia filler hole on the right, drive it a FEW miles and refill. Everyone I have ever done will go down on oil level in a mile or so and make noise in just a few miles. Fill it up and it's OK. G.M.
 
original columbias have a few weak areas where cracking, and loose parts and wear can cause early failure. The guys that rebuild the columbia "bullet proof" the axle by replacing, welding and rebuilding some of the internal and external parts. The rebuilding and bullet proofing have a history of extending the life of the axle. There are several rebuilders that specialize in the columbia across the US
 
I would be nervous with all that play however play could be in the ujoint or in the drive shaft sleve.
 
jimTN said:
I would be nervous with all that play however play could be in the ujoint or in the drive shaft sleve.
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Exactly, I'm not going to put it into a car like this. I couldn't imagine the sleeve having that much play. I've never had a columbia apart but there's a first time for everything :rolleyes:
 
In a modern rearend excessive play is usually caused by worn spider gears. You could try rotating the drums in opposite directions and have someone hold them in that position. This should eliminate the play in the spider gears. Now check the play in the driveshaft and see it improves.
 
Automotive Stud said:
Exactly, I'm not going to put it into a car like this. I couldn't imagine the sleeve having that much play. I've never had a columbia apart but there's a first time for everything :rolleyes:
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I would suggest you buy a set of installation instructions and a Parts List. The Parts List has a good exploaded view of the Columbia as well as all the part names and numbers which would help when talking to the Columbia Parts Guys. I am not sure if there is a repair manual available or not. I got mine from Faxon Auto literature in Riverside California. www.faxonautolit.com


If you are going to go thru it yourself, I would DEFINATELY have the parts "BULLET PROOFED". There were some weaknesses in the design of the Columbia and this overcomes some of these problems. A Columbia will give years of good service as long as it is NOT abused or a LOT of TORQUE is put thru it. Proper oil and initial filling with lubricant is VERY important.

Good luck and let us know what you find when you get the thing apart.

Chris
 
my uncle has a columbia rearend with the banjo rearend that he would like to sell. he is located in gustine, calif. he is 84 and i am trying to help him sell his stuff although i know nothing about these items. he thinks it is a 46-47-or48. if you are interested. thank you for your time, mike
1-831-334-6168
 
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