VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Rear Axle

Hi folks,

Had the left rear axle break on my 32 sedan today and had to bring her home on a rollback. I haven't taken it apart yet but it wobbles like it has broken right at the bearing so I need advice on replacing it along with getting another. Suggestions are welcome of course....

Mac

Is your axle shaft the early or the late? You will need to know which one since they are not interchangeable.

The Filling Station sells new 1932 axle shafts but only the early type.

Check out your 1932 shop manual on how to replace the axle shaft.

As I stated above, I have not taken it apart as of yet and will do so tomorrow. I do understand that there are two different sizes and I have looked through the manual as well. I was looking to acquire typical hints and or procedures and have sent an e-mail to the FS as well to get an idea of all the parts I will need. Thanks folks...

Mac

The first thing that you will need to do is to determine which axle you have after you get it removed. Removing the axle is pretty much straight forward so you can probably follow the manual.

When you get a new axle you might also want to order a new axle bearing, a new bearing retainer lock, and new inner & outer axle seals.

Also Bil aka Billy Possum (C&P Automotive) Makes a 1932 Axle, Early version...

probably could call him and talk to him about it as well, great guy very helpful !!

When those axles break it often is near the bearing. The short piece should be easy to remove. The long piece a bit more tricky. Take a long wire and make a loop (circle and half) in the middle with ID nearly the same size as the OD of the axle shaft. Bend the legs to 90 deg. Slip the loop over the end of the axle a inch or more. Then pull out the axle. You can also do it with a small rope but it is harder to lasso the axle. There is not internal clip so the shaft will come out without opening the center section.

Thank you Chipper....So it is common to break at the bearing? Interesting. Coat hanger wire would be Ok? Best and peace...

Mac

Hi Geezer,

I'm not sure what bearing Chip is talking about. Most of the time, the break is in the smalls cross section of the axle. At least all that I have seen broken.

Coat hanger would work just fine, and it is really easy to do.

You can only use the rope thing if you are in Texas.

Bruce,
There is only one bearing on each axle that I know of on a '32 Chevy. The two breaks I have seen were both just inside the axle bearing near where the threaded part ends. I suspected that one was due to cracking from an accident and finally breaking. Not sure on the other. In those cases the remaining axle piece can be removed from the outside.

Earlier axles tend to break in the splined area next to the differential. It is necessary to remove the differential cover and sometimes the differential to remove the short piece that remains in the gear.

And with it being the rear axle you'd have to use a heel rope right?

Good observation. Heeler it is. Didn't expect a Yankee to "no nutin bout roadie-O-N."

Got the axle out this AM...It was broken about 10 inches from the bearing and was a clean break. Hot glued a 30#, donut magnet onto a dowel and out it came. Where do I measure the axle to know early from late? Thanks folks for the help...Rope did not work as I am not a wrangle but wear Levi's...

Mac

Filling Station. Stephan Kassis Teck Article:

The early 1932 axles were 1.275" OD at the outer end of the axle shaft. The late 1932 axles were 1.375" OD at the outer end. The small axle used a 3/4" nut while the large axle used a 13/16" nut. The bearings on both axles are the same (New Departure # ND 1208) but the hubs are different and must be matched to either the large or small taper of the axle.

Thanks for the info....I have a large taper axle and will need to find one. Steve has been great help at the FS and will look to see if he has one....Peace,

Mac

Gary Wallace is shipping me an axle on Monday!!! Thanks Gary...

Mac

Awesome...

Glad someone had one for you!! If one of the SOURCES does not have one or a lead to one, then you KNOW you are in TROUBLE @@

Yep....After I got the stub out and washed the old stinking lube off, the spot of the break had a dark semicircle through it. It think the thing has been cracked for quite a while....

The one that I broke was dark at the break except for a little fingernail bright spot. The rear wheel had a wobble before the axle broke.

After I get things back together, I am going cut a piece off and take it over to the Electron Microscope lab at Clemson and take a look at the metal fatigue lines at the break....Should be interesting. Might even get a few pictures...

definitely be cool to see !!

especially after studying all that stuff a few semesters ago in my Metals Class. See the grain structure, fatigue, etc...

Considering it lasted over 80 years

Mine also had a small fresh circle on one side with a metal twist for the fresh break. The larger, dark portion looked to have been cracked for a long time.

It will be cool to hear what a real failure analysis investigation yields. Was the crack present at time of manufacturing (one would think not)? Can you "carbon date" the original failure? Haha... Maybe you can detect a crack in a replacement axle by ultrasonic method.

I have one leftover axle large diameter, two small diameter. But they've all got the bearings welded on or some variation. I wouldn't trust any of these old axles further than I could throw a stick.

Mark

I will post the results afterwards.....Should prove interesting indeed. This will not be a full failure analysis but the ME kids should have a good time messing with it...

Should be a great REAL WORLD Example and test subject !!

I had a bent LHR Axle on my 1930 Roadster and ordered a new Axle from the Filling Station with the applicable Seals , Bearings , Retainers , etc . The Parts were reasonably priced and shipped the same day as ordered . The Axle arrived at my door Ten ( 10 ) Days later in Australia . I would recommend that you fit a New Axle instead of using a Used Axle that is 80 + years old , because you never can tell what you get with a Used Axle .

The Filling Station Guy's are always very helpful.