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I worked on the steering box rebuild today. After reassembly and before final torquing it rotates from stop to stop with a slightly noticeable increase in resistance at the center point of the rotation. I used the same thickness of gasket shims, lubed parts before assembly. I will have to research more on setting proper load on bearings. I installed the steering box and mocked up my steering shaft which I think will fit.
Finally, after much back and forth and waiting on parts I was able to pick up my differential yesterday. The shop replaced all bearings, seals , and new yoke. I stayed with the 3:50 gear set which was in good shape. All new bearings and seal for axles. With Easter weekend, and cooler temperatures I won't dive into getting the rear axle set for a week or so. My plan is to get front and rear axles set at same height on centres and then tack the rear axle at 2.5"- 3" degrees above level. I know most of the body weight is from centre of cab forward but for now need to get a rolling chassis.
I have been back and forth with this rear axle, since getting the 3rd member rebuilt I have been working at repositioning the spring perches and shock mounts. I am ready to place the rear axle in its resting place but before that I am going to rough assemble the centre section and axles to see if they fit up. I am concerned that the axle tubes may have pulled with the welding on it and may not be straight now. It does LOOK good though.
I had a couple free hours yesterday so thought I would finish up the rear drums and install the axles, wrong. The first issue I have is the stock parking brake cables do not mesh with the parking brake actuator, they will not stay connected. The backing plates and drums are from 1984 F150 so may have to resort to new cables of that year. The second issue is the bearing and retainer are binding with the axle tubes. This axle housing was pitted with rust. I cleaned it up some but looks like I will need to polish it down some more. The spare axles I have seat in the diff easily without bearings on them. I walked away from it yesterday but will take a look again today. Hopefully the axle tubes are not warped from welding. I determined that the backing plate holes I "modified" were misaligned not allowing the bearing to seat. I am going to try to get them right by making a jig that will hopefully get better alignment.
Sometimes walking away for a bit really helps.
I'm building a driveshaft for my roadster. I had banged the new front yoke into the tube, installed the U Joints and mounted it in the roadster with a dial indicator against it so I could try and get it straight. I messed around for about 2 hours spinning the shaft, banging on it here and there, etc. I never could get less than 0.6 runout. I went back and forth and was going to give up and just take it to a driveshaft shop and have them do it.
After taking a break I walked back out to the shop, leaned into the cab and realized that when I went to spin the driveshaft I was leaning against the tranny, thereby inducing movement in the system....DOH!
I rigged it all up fresh. Stood back where I could see the dial indicator and then rotated the rea axle by pushing on the tire with a stick. Within about 10 minutes I had my runout down to .04. Good enough!
Walk away, think of something else for a bit. It will all come together. I doubt the welding warped the axle tubes. I've cut spring perches off, welded perches back on, welded shock mounts, etc and have never had an issue with it.
[QUOTE=bobbytnm
Walk away, think of something else for a bit. It will all come together. I doubt the welding warped the axle tubes. I've cut spring perches off, welded perches back on, welded shock mounts, etc and have never had any problems. QUOTE]
Yep Bobby I think rhe issue will be solved when the backing plates align. I've got a set on there now from the original axle with no problems. I will tear into the ones I modified to give me larger shoes. Failing that, plan B.
So how hard was it to adapt later backing plates?
I've considered it on various projects over the years but have never gotten around to trying it. I figured it can't be too bad
So how hard was it to adapt later backing plates?
I've considered it on various projects over the years but have never gotten around to trying it. I figured it can't be too bad
It does have its challenges, matching up the bolt pattern on the backing plate required realigning the holes. I should have made a jig to get the alignment. I abandoned those, too much time to rework.
I am using another backing plate I have but am now dealing with the parking brake actuator not fitting these plates. I'll dive into it again tomorrow.
Bobby
this is a template I used to modify the backing plates from an 84 F150 to fit bolt pattern my the F47. The red signifies the new bolt pattern, half a hole out.
I cut wafers from some 1/2" round stock to fill the original holes, then drilled out the new holes. I was slightly out on alignment so that prevented the axle bearing from lining up and seating in the axle tube. I think this is totally doable, but the bolt holes need to be ***** on to work. I have elongated the holes but need to fill the voids. Going to use the original set of plates for now.
Tom, you've been working like full time all winter. Good for you! Would that we were all so motivated. It will be a proud moment when your truck is back on the road. Me, I've been lazy with almost nothing new to report on my truck other than the gas tank seems to be leaking again. Keep the progress coming.
