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Initial sketch I came up with First prototype, didn't quite fit properly Second prototype. You can see I had to step the back side of it down to fit under the fender better, as well as angle the corner above where it bolts, to match the profile of the bumper Both sides completed Installed
Initial layout sketch for various holes. The only one that changed between driver and passenger was the window controls. Holes cut on a CNC plasma table, but could be done with a grinder and hole saws easily enough. First fit up Spray balm with Red Oxide Primer, as it's pretty close to my exterior Metallic brown/red. Installed.
I plan to make another set, I'd like to put some sort of detail in the center to break up the flat panel feel of it. Some beads running across is horizontally or a border or something. Still thinking.
Below is how I got my bearing off. Took maybe 10 hits with a large sledge, not full swings though, just using the weight of the sledge.
This is what I made for my SST Fitted to backing plate Supported by two steel tables Shaft popped out after some persuasion, onto a rubber mat to protect the threads of my lug studs The piece I pounded on the shaft with, you can see below I shoved a piece of wood in to protect the splines Who needs a press!?
Are these tiny deformities anything to worry about on my axle shaft?
I must have done them while attempting the "pound on plywood over pavement" bearing removal method, though I thought I was being careful.
As long as your axle splines aren’t damaged i would not worry about anything in that picture.
Thanks Melrose. It's the first time I've done anything with axles, so just wanted to be sure. It's those small dents on the lower left on the ridge that I was wondering about. Splines are totally fine.
Finally got back to working on the truck. New brake shoes, hardware and brake cylinder installed with a Speed Bleeder.
Now time to put the axle back together. More newbie axle questions! Anything I need to worry about in the picture above? The darker spots near the bottom of the shaft just before it flares out to the plate are what concern me most. Should I try to remove all markings with light sand paper? Scotch brite?
I believe this area, which is what I was worried about, actually sits outside of the oil seal area? So I think it should be fine.. first time looking this closely at an axle shaft, so I may be overthinking things!
New oil seal/dust cover, bearing, retainer and c clip installed. Tapped the bearing and retainer on with a 1" x 1" x .125" piece of angle iron, as per Axlemans video. New seal installed on the axle housing, used a piece of wood to tap it in evenly. Axle reinstalled, brakes reconnected. Just need to install the drum, adjust the shoes and then bleed. Now I'm fighting to get my other rusty drum off so I can do those shoes and hardware..
Thanks jakey, I've been following along on your build, you're making pretty good progress considering everything else you're up to.
Hoping to get my other drum off tonight so I can finish the brake job, then I can get it back on the wheels and see how my ZUK mod sits. Then drain and refill my rear diff and I should be back on the road! I'd really like to drive her for a bit this summer before pulling it back into the garage for the winter.
Driver side done Passenger side done
Back on its tires. I just need to adjust the shoes and bleed the brakes, then test drive time. I like its stance with the ZUK coils in, we'll see how it rides.
She sat for 2 months roughly, didn't try to start it once. Battery was low enough it wouldn't crank so threw the trickle charger on and set it to "Start" and she fired up immediately. I love this thing!
I would love to have some tan graphics on it, maybe one day.
Last night I pulled my wheels and drums off to readjust my shoes, as I didn't adjust them properly the first time. No problem, that didnt take very long, and my pedal feels really nice now.
When I removed the drum on the side I just did my bearing and seals on, there was a small amount of gear oil sitting between where the drum meets the lug stud plate. Apparently there is a gasket between the lug stud plate and axle plate? I had never noticed it before.. is this something that can fail and leak gear oil? I can't seem to find any mention of it in the FSM...
Jun 6, 2020 | 08:22 AM
