Sterling rebuild - noob ?'s

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Mar 4, 2011 | 08:53 AM

Pokeman

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Sterling rebuild - noob ?'s

Picked up a '93 F350 Sterling to rebuild and I need some direction. I just got done rebuilding a '79 F350 front 60 and that was all new to me. This is the first Full Floater I have ever had. after I rebuild it I am sending it off for a locker and 5.38's. plan is to rebuild the axle, blast & paint in prep for an install.

1. Where can I find a diagram of the hubs? I assume there are bearings & races, seals, in a full floater hubs that I will want to replace. Does someone sell a complete rebuild kit? write-up available?

2. I am converting to disc brakes with the Ruff Stuff Kit. seems simple and easy. Is it?

3. gear guy will take care of inner seals- with 1 & 2 above am I missing anything major that needs to be addressed?

4. can this axle be shaved with out compromising strength?

Mar 4, 2011 | 08:55 AM

Pokeman

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sorry for the bad cell pics

Mar 4, 2011 | 10:06 AM

nstueve

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From: Des Moines, Iowa

first... I'm sorry to say I can't answer your questions from above. However I and very very interested in the rear disc conversion myself! You should take pics of each step and let us know part numbers... and what it cost in total. I just looked at the $50 kit and it seems like a simple concept... I am thinking it's just a bolt on and re-run the break lines to the caliper and bleed it... Is that the right presumption???

I just added up the parts list and it seems like this only cost $250 for new parts... I hate drum breaks with a passion so I will be keeping tuned for the results!

Also just wondering why you're not doing the gear change and rear locker yourself????

Mar 4, 2011 | 10:22 AM

Pokeman

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nstueve

I just added up the parts list and it seems like this only cost $250 for new parts... I hate drum breaks with a passion so I will be keeping tuned for the results!

Will Do. stay tuned. give me a couple weeks

Quote:

Originally Posted by nstueve

Also just wondering why you're not doing the gear change and rear locker yourself????

basically I don't want to take the time and my neighbor is a very good gear guy who will do it for a couple hundred.

Mar 4, 2011 | 10:29 AM

nstueve

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From: Des Moines, Iowa

guess you got lucky with the gear guy next door! I have the Ford tranny guy in my pocket for rebuilds if I ever need them. We kinda trade services back and fourth...

I just did a complete overhaul of the drums 2 years ago and just took them apart for new e-brake cables and the pads are already busted up... cheap pads I guess...

Speaking of which... What are you doing about a ebrake after the conversion????

AND, is that kit just a bolt up or is welding needed?

Mar 4, 2011 | 10:38 AM

Blue Rebel

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From: Cottage Grove, WI

The rear axle is pretty much the same as doing bearings/races on the 4x4 front axle. Remove the 8 bolts on the end of the hub in your 2nd pic, and the axleshaft will slide right out.
You will need to buy a special socket to remove the bearing nut, and once thats out the outer bearing will come out, and you can pull the hub off.
pull out the wheel seal, and out comes the inner bearing
pound out the races, and install new ones
installation is reverse of disassembly. Get a book though, i dont remember the proper torque/specs for setting the bearing preload