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I've got the rear end apart, and I am about to press off the rear axle bearings (that were installed backwards by Bubba), but I am going to ruin the 4-bolt retainer plates on each axle when the bearings are pressed off. I've searched the archives, and Dale Pearlman's name keeps coming up. Does he carry the 4-bolt axle plate retainers? The rear end is a 57 pass care posi unit #3743833 with 4:56 gears that will be replaced with 3:73's. Thanks.
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Re: C1 rear axle retainer help needed...
Unfortunatly Dale is no longer with us. His nephew Ken Hansen is running the show now. Orindale's 731-783-0815. Rob -
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Mark,
If you find a source for the retainer plates, please let me know, I could use one too. I looked at Carlisle on the week-end but didn't find any.
PierreComment
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Re: C1 rear axle retainer help needed...
Mark
Why are you going to ruin them? I've had several pressed off and on and never ruined one.
TerryComment
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Re: C1 rear axle retainer help needed...
Terry,
As I have opened up the rear end and pulled the axles, I found that "Bubba" has worked on this rearend. I found 16 sheared teeth in the bottom of the case, but none of the gears in the carrier are sheared. Also, the axle bearings were installed bacwards with the oil seal towards the inside of the axle preventing them from being lubricated. As such, I don't know how long they have been installed this way and I don't like to rely on bearings that will ultimately fail. I ordered 3:73 gears from Summit and hope to have them professionally installed locally. I may try to do it myself, time and weather permitting. I used my trusty Dremel MotoTool to remove the bearings and races. Took eight cuts, 5 cut-off wheels and about an hour. Easy. Of all the tools I own, the Dremel has gotten me out of more tight jams than any other. When I get the rear end housings painted, axles installed, new brakes and parts, and new brake lines installed, it will look like new and be worthy to install in the 59 for many miles of troublefree motoring. Oh, I almost forgot......by cutting the bearings off I was able to salvage the retainer plates as I have learned they are nearly impossible to find.Comment
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Re: C1 rear axle retainer help needed...
Mark, I think all of the replacement axle bearings you'll find now are the sealed bearings. I have the bearing, Napa seal numbers and procedure to alter the sealed bearings for 56's but I believe 57's are larger bearings and different #s but the procedure will be the same. RobComment
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Re: C1 rear axle retainer help needed...
Mark,
Just a couple of things.
The Axle bearing retainer plates for your 59 can be found on 57-64 passenger car axles.
Also, you say that your rear is a 4.56 posi, and you plan to change to 3.70 gears. IF THE RING GEAR CARRIER IS A 4 SERIES CARRIER-----------------------------IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU MUST USE A 3 SERIES CARRIER WITH THE 3.70 GEARS!
Now, here is a slight twist to what I just said. IF, JUST IF, you have 4.56 gears, but the ring gear is installed on a 3 series carrier, with a spacer plate between the ring gear and carrier flange, they you can install the 3.70 gears. Otherwise, you are going to have to locate a 3 series posi carrier. Thus, if this is the case, I would suggest that you buy one of the new Eaton posi units that is specifically made for these early Chevy rears because it will be much cheaper than buying an original Chevy (made by DANA) 3 series posi unit. Plus, it will be brand new, not stressed or cracked from 40+yrs of use and abuse!Comment
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Re: C1 rear axle retainer help needed...
Tom, thanks for the heads up on the rear axle ID. I had not thought that the carier may be a 4 series vs. a 3 series. Is there any positive way to identify between the two? It seems odd that the ring gear would contact the back of the rear axle housing (several vertical stripes where gear scratched back) and just barely clear the top and bottom of the cast carrier housing. It may be that "Bubba" installed 4:56 gears in a 3-series housing and thus the previous and potential future interference. It might also explain the missing gear teeth I found in the bottom of the axle housing.Comment
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