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Old 26-03-21, 14:13
Mike Kelly's Avatar
Mike Kelly Mike Kelly is online now
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Default Rebuild Jeep axle housings

SELECTING THE RIGHT AXLE HOUSING FOR YOUR WW2 JEEP By ANDY WATSON


During my 14 years experience on Jeeps I've seen and repaired many unusual breakages in all parts of Jeeps, sometimes using methods or tools that are home made. Of recent months, I've set numerous Jeep crown wheels and pinions; a few of which, were for VMVC members. Several of the diffs. I worked on went into housings which were just good enough. Sometimes a number of housings were submitted, some, already paid for dearly, were found to be unusable.

I've compiled this check/diagnosis list for the use of members who :-
a. may need to purchase a housing before continuing a restoration
b. are going to buy one for a spare
c. have housings on hand and are unsure of their usefulness

Obviously, to inspect a housing as set out below, it should be stripped and reasonably clean to adequately reveal any possible faults. If the asking price of a secondhand axle housing is $15 and it's difficult to inspect because it has hubs , a diff. inside it or knuckles on it; buy it - it's worth that money for the bits on it - then check over the housing at home . How much is an axle housing worth ? I'll leave that for the buyers and sellers to settle ! I do feel, though, that if a bare axle housing is costing $20 upwards , it should be at least usable.

The checks are grouped in three sections: 1. Front or rear axle housings; 2. Front housing; 3. Rear housing. Faults found under checks preceeded with an ' X ' render the housing unusable as it is. Other faults discovered during checking are left to the tolerence of the restorer, or his ability to repair them.

GROUP 1.
1. X check housing for straightness, check carrier bearing cup faces for parallel
2. X check for any oxy torch or hacksaw cuts
3.X check that diff. carrier bearing caps marked with a punched number or letter correspond with those stamped on the diff. cover mounting face of housing adjacent to the axle tubes.
4. X check mounting face on cover of diff. housing generally for cracks
5. X check inner & outer pinion bearing cup bores for looseness due to cup spinning
6. X check carrier bearing cup mounting faces for scoring/grooving due to cup spinning
7. X check carrier bearing cup faces in housing for grinder damage etc. check flat faces on carrier bearing cups fro grinds or filing after manufacture
8. check carrier bearing cap securing threads
9. check carrier bearing caps for signs of being tightened down over metal fragments or grit etc.
10. check diff housing for holes, bulges, or other internal damage due to bursting of diff. under excessive loads or abusive treatment
11. check pinion oil seal counter bore for out of round or indentations due to housing being dropped on hard surface
12. check oil drain plug thread. If the plug is in, check that it can be removed
13. check axle tube spring seats for radius due to extended use with loose
' U ' bolts
14. check bump stop saddles for damage or packing with heavy rust scale
15. check axle tube each side of bump stop saddles for excessive chaffing by loose U bolts
16. check axle tubes for for heavy welds after manufacture or severe rust pitting. also the inside of tubes for rust scale
17. check diff. cover threads

GROUP 2.
1.X check spindle bearing cup ( king pin) mounting bores..Cups should be an even all - round knock in fit with a hammer & suitable drift. All 4 of these must not be loose
2.X check external surface of hemispheres on the ends of the housing for bulges due to bursting of constant velocity joint
3. check external surface of hemispheres for heavy scoring and scratching of surface, particularly wear in ' steering straight ahead ' position ( this fault is common on axles with rubber external knuckle seals) check also for severe rust pitting
4. check inside of hemispheres , if grooved due to C.V. joint failure, check nu.2 again. Check for rust etc.
5. check counter bore for Bendix joint thrust washer , if visible, also check counter bore for Tracta joint bush/thrust washer or internal knuckle seal
6. check brake hose loops adjacent to hemispheres for damage etc. Check brake ducting ' T ' bracket rear of left hand tube for stripped threads or other damage. Also check fro broken lock stops at ends of axle tubes
7. check the steering bell crank pin mounting bracket for looseness of pin or indentation due to careless handling etc. If bell crank pin is loose, housing is unusable. Also check cycle cotter hole for damage or indentation

GROUP 3.
1.X check wheel bearing adjustment/retaining threads for stripping, crossing or heavy rust damage
2.X check for flare of end of wheel spindle, usually due to axle shaft coming adrift of all but one or two of the six retaing bolts
3. check rear wheel spindles for damage due to inner race of wheel bearing cone spinning on the journals. The journals should not be more than .003 out of round
4. check wheel hub oil seal at spindle for grooving, out of round, rust, pitting etc.
5. check brake plate mounting flange for buckle , dents, or elongated holes

Housings that pass all these checks are extremely rare, as are new axle housings. Try to use components in good condition when rebuilding and remember also, the difficulty you may face getting parts as you use your vehicle in any off-road or heavy duty situation.

By ANDY WATSON - former member VMVC

n.b. this article first appeared in the VMVC newsletter in Dec. 1981. Andy was, at the time, the mechanic at Stokoe Motors , the Willys dealership in Melbourne since the early 1930's.
__________________
1940 cab 11 C8
1940 Morris-Commercial PU
1941 Morris-Commercial CS8
1940 Chev. 15cwt GS Van ( Aust.)
1942-45 Jeep salad

Last edited by Mike Kelly; 26-03-21 at 14:25.
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