Stripped threads on my axle

36coupe

36coupe

Well-known member
I'm still learning about old fords
I decided to check the torque on my rear axles nuts. They where both loose.
The right side tighten up no problem but the driver side pulled the threads.
So now I know what my project this winter will be. I have a couple extra rears that haven't been run in 30 plus years.
I was hoping for a quick axle change but I realize it will take a bit more than that.
 
If you have not already done this, check to see which treads actually stripped. Sometimes just the internal threads of the nut will strip, while the axle threads may still be good, but covered up with the remains of the threads from the nut. If this were the case, the axle threads could be cleaned up and reused. It's worth taking a look before taking the rear completely apart.
 
I replaced an axle last year.Changing the axle is the easy part.The work was in taking the whole rear end out and putting it back in.
 
I have "saved" several axles by re-threading to 9/16" while axle remained in car. Not easy, but much easier than rear end disassembly-reassembly.
 
I have just started a business called www.ez2usetools.com
we sell 2 piece die great for rethreading damaged threads in minutes. Contact me I will glad to send literature on how it works. I havnt got the website done yet, will have video. Sell individual dies also. john
 
36 coupe, would it be possible (with the axle in the car) to build up the damaged axle threads with weld, carefully file it round and then cut new threads? It would be tedious but might be worth trying.
 
19Fordy said:
36 coupe, would it be possible (with the axle in the car) to build up the damaged axle threads with weld, carefully file it round and then cut new threads? It would be tedious but might be worth trying.
Click to expand...

I have done that with perch bolts. I used an adjustable die so I could get tight threads, I would be a little hesitant on an axle. The axles are soft as witness the failures. It might be fine but why chance it.
By the way. All the threads that get damaged are the same thread. The steering shaft, axle shaft and the perch bolts are all 5/8"-18
 
This is not a clear picture but you can clean your thread up with a die nut then drill and Tap out a smaller nut ,the new thread will be smaller than a of the shelf nut and should fit tight 5/8 UNF,I have two nuts screwed back to back and pinned here .Ted
 

Attachments

  • P1010525_3155.jpg
    P1010525_3155.jpg
    46.6 KB · Views: 222
Last edited:
If it were mine I would go ahead and change the axle. I know some have made repairs with good results but for me this is not an area that I feel comfortable about making repairs. It would always be in the back of my mind every time I drove it down the road . And that's just my opinion.
 
A person with many years experience would have a feel of what will work and what wont ! If you do not poses these quality's then take another approach. Ted
 
Ken/Alabama said:
If it were mine I would go ahead and change the axle. I know some have made repairs with good results but for me this is not an area that I feel comfortable about making repairs. It would always be in the back of my mind every time I drove it down the road . And that's just my opinion.
Click to expand...

That how I kind of feel. If my repair wasn't 100% I would be worried.
I had a hubcap come off and miss a kid walking down the side of the road, he happily chased it down for me. A wide five hubcap could do some damage.
I lost an axle in my 58 gmc a couple of years ago, no harm was done but I was on an on ramp to the highway that could have worse. I attribute that to gl5 gear oil and the yellow metal thrust washers on the spider gears.

I have an extra rear and another I can also get ( both are 39 rears).
I wonder if the axles will be the same?

I'm away at work and only discovered the problem the same day I flew out so I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it.
What I think I saw was about 3 or 4 threads completely missing off the axle next to the drum. The nut looked okay but it must of been slipping on the threads next to the slots. Until I pull the drums off I will have to wait and see how much damage is done to the axle. The bummer is both sides where loose and I put about 600 miles on the car since I got it so maybe there is damage there as well.
I haven't been able to read an ratios on the bottom of the banjos but I was thinking the number on the turtle would be another way to conform ratios on a original rear?

Oh yes, I will be ordering clips for the drums and new nuts. Who has the beast quality axle nuts?
For the price on of the split dies would be nice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top