Rear axle rebuild-63 Hawk-what parts to order?

[rusty nut garage]

I'd suggest reading up on rear end maintenance. If your not sure when the last time the axle bearings were serviced you'll have to at least start there. Also take a look @ the backlash of the ring gear to pinion. Remove the differential cover and inspect the unit as best you can you might also get some gear pattern compound and check the pattern of the gears if everything else checks good.
Does it make the noise under acceleration, or deceleration, or all the time?
Good Luck


Russ Shop Foreman "Rusty Nut Garage"
57 SH (project)
60 Lark VIII 2dr sd (driver)

[starlightchamp]

Rear axle rebuild-63 Hawk-what parts to order?

Finally got the Hawk on the road after a year of renovation. There is a lot of road noise from the rear at road speeds that I first thought was tires. Now I am more suspect of wheel bearings. I'm not sure how to trouble shoot. Jacked up the rear and spun the wheels but didn't learn much- I did notice a run out of about 1/2", that is, the right side tire wobbles.
Any tests I can make before disassembly to find the cause(s) ? What parts will I need besides wheel bearings?
I know this is crystal ball question but as a minimum what parts assuming both rear bearings need replacement. Car has 94,000 and probably the bearings were last packed during the Nixon administation. Maybe JFK's. I have all three manuals but would like guidance from guys that have "been there".

1950 Champion Starlight
1963 Hawk GT
Santa Barbara
CA

[Dick Steinkamp]

I'd focus first on that 1/2" wobble. If it's the wheel, replace the wheel/tire and give it a try. If it's not the wheel...DON'T DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT'S FIXED. A broken axle will ruin your day!

[John Kirchhoff]

I'll make an addition to Dick's comment, not only will it ruin your day but a number of other parts as well.

[N8N]

yup, I would suspect the axle shaft itself before the outer bearing, but obviously if you are replacing the shaft replace the bearing as well. I am willing to bet that the wobble, if not a bent rim, is probably a bent axle shaft which is NOT FUN!

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[sbca96]

Chances are if the wheel is wobbling, the nut came loose on the axle
and the hub has been moving on the tapered axle. This means you need
an axle and a hub to fix it.

If you want to never worry about it again, the Fairborn flanged axle
kit is the way to go. It includes bearings seals and axles.

Axle info:
http://www.studebaker-info.org/rjtechx3.html#Axles

Fairborn kit:
http://www.studebaker-info.org/text3/flangedaxles.txt

Picture procedure :
http://www.ncsdc.com/TechnicalPages/...e/RearAxle.htm

Tom

'63 Avanti, zinc plated drilled & slotted 03 Mustang Cobra 13" front disc/98 GT rear brakes, 03 Cobra 17" wheels, GM alt, 97 Z28 leather seats, soon: 97 Z28 T-56 6-spd, Ported heads w/SST full flow valves, 'R3' 276 cam, Edelbrock AFB Carb, GM HEI distributor, 8.8mm plug wires

[starlightchamp]

Thanks for the help. I measured the runout today with a Dial Indicator at the rims and it was only about
1/16 inch. The previous runout was at the tire tread so I think I'm OK. The car came with fairly new
205/70 Tiger Paw,radial, All Weather tires. i've heard that these deep tread,all weather tires, can make a lot of
road noise and in my case the noise is a function of speed and is present when shifting into neutral. I'm going
to check the gears in the differational and if they look good, try a pair of non weather tires. Doesn't
snow in Sant Barbara and the Hawk won't be driven in rain. Thanks, Tom, for the steer to flanged axles-that's in the future.
...Dick