Rear Axle: You can be lucky

[krogash]

I have a '62 Lark 289 3 speed. Came with a roughly installed 27 rear axle with blown spider gears. I have obtained a dana 44 std rear axle but it was missing brakes and hubs.

Over some time I have cleaned it up and repainted it as well as the brake parts from the 27. There was even dried mud in the axle tubes. Spring bushes have been replaced. I found that the easiest way to press the rear top bushes into the chassis was to use a porta power. You have to be inventive when working by yourself.

I cleaned up the adjusting shims from the 27 ( 0.005, 0.010, 0.025 and 0.050" and had been fitted to both sides) today and fitted up the backplates etc. I did a rough measurment and fitted up the pack minus the 0.025. Set up the dial gauge and axle endplay measured out at 0.0035". Manual states 0.001-0.006. I had been dreading this job; but now can't understand why. Maybe just the great unknown for 1st time.

Ken

[RadioRoy]

It's always less scary once you get into it. I am always amazed when I finally get over fretting and get down to it, how much more easily it goes than I had imagined.

Keep up the good work.

[warrlaw1]

Exactly. Lack of knowledge breeds paranoia. I know a lot more about my car since I've just tore into it.

[52-fan]

It always comforts me to think of all the people I have known who managed engine swaps and various repairs with crude tools and no help. I know if they could do this stuff I certainly can. The hardest part is getting started.