mid summer maintenance

[Frankenstein57]

 Bored Friday night, pulled the rear end out,  replacing axle bearings so I thought it would be a good time to fix a tracking issue, and fix an oil leak. Hope to have it back on the road by mid week.   Mark

[petew]

Thought that's what you did in the Winter up there !

[Frankenstein57]

I really should have done it then, I am chasing a vibration at 53 to 65 mph. It limits the freeway driving a bit. So I thought I would just get it done. Last winter l got re energized on my 57 project,  so this sat covered in the corner

[gasman826]

Serious axle bearing change.

[hotroddonnie]

Well you'll be glad when your finished and be able to drive it on any Hi way you want. 

[Ecode70D]

   If you don't find much wrong with that rear end job, You  might check the driveshaft inclination after the whole thing is sitting back on the leaf springs.  When I build a car, I try to dial it in to as close to 1 degree as possible.  A lot of times that's overlooked.  If it is not right, you could get a vibration.   Jay       

[Frankenstein57]

Thanks for the tip Jay, I thought I would seize the opportunity and take a leaf spring out. The car has 7 leafs instead of 6. The rear is a tad bit high, and the ride is stiff. Of course the center pin bolt snapped, now I need to get 2 of those. Well, at least this stuff is getting done!    Mark

[SkylinerRon]

While it's apart new spring bushings and insulaters would make a big difference.

Ron.

[Frankenstein57]

The rear stuff is new, I'd probably have to cut the front bolts. This car spent time in Michigan.

[Frankenstein57]

Got the ranchero put back together today.  Pretty happy to have identified my vibration, it looks like the right side axle bearing burnt up at some point, and the owner replaced the axle. The axle was to long, it stuck out of the flange 1/4 "  when I would tighten the flange bolts it would bottom out against the pin in the carrier. So I cut some off of the axle on a lathe, and it slipped in just fine. One wheel bearing was going bad,  so I have two new ones in there now. Kicking myself for not finding it sooner, you can't take for granted . previous repairs are done correctly. Just took a nice ride 55 to 65, nice and smooth. I included a picture of my friends 53 truck, he stopped by to check progress,   mark

[RICH MUISE]

good to hear the Ranchero got straightened out. LOL...I won't be able to blame anything wrong on my car on previous owners. I love your friends truck..especially the red pin stripping.

[Ecode70D]

Mark
    Good for you in finding that axle problem and also for being able to do the repair yourself.  That's what it's all about, doing things on your own.   
Jay

[Ford Blue blood]

Had a couple of those (previous owner) things and have no one to blame but myself!  If you want it to work right you need to check it out.  Radiators, gas tanks and heater cores are gone through by professionals.  Another rule I have is if it is rubber it gets replaced.  Just don't cost that much.  Simple but it works, of the just over 137K miles on my street rod only one break down, my fault.  The 57 wagon had a rear brake issue returning from a car show in Nashville on the street to my house, again my fault for not following my simple little rules.....

[Zapato]

you can't take for granted . previous repairs are done correctly.  mark

You can't take it for granted it left the factory ''correctly'' to begin with either.
That's why they come with warranties. 

Zap-