1955 chevy truck broken rear end

Carlos

Carlos

Active Member
Hi,
long time since I posted here, hope you experts are doing well and still around here :D

This time I try to help a buddy with his truck.
Recently he bough a 1955 3.100 Apache, not sure if this is fully correct, but that is what the salesguy told him the truck is supposed to be.

Now the rear end gave up, ring, pinion, bearings - all worn out, yesterday the outer bearing behind the brake drum failed, has about 1/2 inch "play" now.
As we don't know the real type of rear end, nor do we have a manual, we are stuck.

As I always got lots of help here I thought it is worthwhile to post some pictures and ask you if you can figure out what we are dealing with, so we can search for spare parts and a shop manual.

Would be great if you could have a look.

thanks a lot folks

regards

Carlos
 

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It appears you have the stock rear differential,

http://www.performanceonline.com/1955-5 ... -flip-kit/

http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/DiffList. ... veType=RWD

http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-rear- ... -1957.html

given the cost and difficulty of rebuilding the stock chevy rear and its limited parts availability and strength, ID suggest finding and swapping to a ford 9", below some info, finding a decent ford 9" might be a bit more difficult where you are, than here but it certainly should be available in salvage yards, as there have been hundreds of thousands of cars and pick-up trucks built with them installed., yes youll need a new drive shaft , or yours altered but its not difficult to do.
and some of those differentials had disc rear brakes, Ive purchased complete 9" ford rear differentials WITH disc brakes for between $200- $270 in the past

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=7&p=11864&hilit=ford+differential#p11864
 

Welcome back Carlos !

I hate to differ with Grumpy, since he has only made one mistake in his life......he just thought he was wrong. :D

I think it depends on your situation and what you can find or resources you can pull together. If you can find a salvage yard with a 3rd member, then it won't be that hard to remove the 10 bolts and remove it, pull the axles with a puller, then replace with your salvage yard piece. If you go this direction there is nothing to adjust, just remove and replace components. If you rebuild the one you have then that's a different story.

That is if you can find something like that in Germany. The axle bearings will need to be replaced, but shouldn't be that hard to find along with the seals.

Now you might very well find that the 3rd member is not completely OK, but that is what you have to decide when you determine the direction you will take. At least you will not have to worry about modify the suspension to make a Ford 9 inch work.

So it really comes down to what you want in the end and how much work you are willing to go to get there. If you want something to handle alot of HP, then you certainly want to think about the Ford rear end.

http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/PartCats. ... &DiffID=37
http://www.summitracing.com/search/depa ... r-bolts/10



So in the end, Grumpy or anyone else is NOT wrong......you have to decide what's right for you.

 

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Thanks for the welcome, I'd really like to meet you folks some day.
I don't want to get between you both :mrgreen: trying to argue who is right or wrong :D
On the other hand it might be "interesting". (Just kidding)

Thanks a lot for your support.
Given the situation we are in here, i.e. no salvage yards for US cars, I guess my preferred option would be to go for a complete swap of the rear end, towards a 9" Ford, whe we might even have a choice for gear ratio.
Will depend if $$$ are :shock: Or :D , will check with the classicchevy guys

Before I check into the alternative of rebuilding the stock 3rd member which I would also like as a new litle challenge, I'd like to understand what hp it can handle.
The current engine prooduces around 260hp, would a stock rear end handle this, or is the Ford a must here?

Carlos
 
Carlos said:
Thanks for the welcome, I'd really like to meet you folks some day.
I don't want to get between you both :mrgreen: trying to argue who is right or wrong :D
On the other hand it might be "interesting". (Just kidding)

Thanks a lot for your support.
Given the situation we are in here, i.e. no salvage yards for US cars, I guess my preferred option would be to go for a complete swap of the rear end, towards a 9" Ford, whe we might even have a choice for gear ratio.
Will depend if $$$ are :shock: Or :D , will check with the classicchevy guys

Before I check into the alternative of rebuilding the stock 3rd member which I would also like as a new litle challenge, I'd like to understand what hp it can handle.
The current engine prooduces around 260hp, would a stock rear end handle this, or is the Ford a must here?

Carlos
Click to expand...

The stock rear end is up to task to handling 260 horsepower.
Its not necessary to use a Ford 9 inch.
They are not as strong in stock form as most people believe. Unless you find an original nodular iron case 9 inch from an original Big Block Mustang or Grand Torino.
Stock production run of the mill Ford 9 inch can handle about 400 hp.
A 1957-64 Pontiac Olds 9.300 full size passenger car rear end can handle over 600 hp with stock axles.
Add aftermarket axles and a racing spool, it can handle up to 2,000 HP. Same strength as a Dana 60.
I would use 1957 to 1960 Pontiac Olds rear for an upgraded rear diff myself. Leaf spring application original, simple swap. 1957 Olds rear nice and narrow.
Fit fat tires underneath in stock wheel wells.
Drop out center section 3rd member like a Ford 9 inch for simplified maintance and gear changes.
If you want a 9.300 Pontiac Olds rear Or a Ford 9 inch, I can set you up with complete rebuilt units. Weld leaf spring brackets for completed installation.

Brian R.
 
Got your PM Carlos.
My satellite internet is supposed to be fixed tomarrow Carlos.
Post pics for you this weekend when its up.
You decide if right for you or not.
The posi units for 1957 - 64 olds pontiac rears are rare.
Last one I bought for myself, I paid $900.00. Complete 3rd member with 5.13 gears, for 31 spline axles.

Last 1957 Olds rear I bought, paid $450.00.
Was supposed to be 3.70 open non posi rear.
Found 5.86 gears instead, open carrier.
Some of the old time Gasser guys did not like posi, used 1 peg leg open diff unit.
Most Nostalgia Dragsters used open diffs too.
When the car got wild at speed, no posi made the car easier to recover at 100+ mph.

I love these old 1957-64 Pontiac Olds rears.
Massive stout construction. Massive tapered roller and ball bearings. Over engineered never to fail on the street.
Seldom failed drag racing. Even yet today.

I know where there are 2 Lincoln Versailles Ford 9 inch rears. One has factory disc brakes. Other drum brakes.
Be 28 spline axle shafts. No posi, have to purchase a posi unit or detroit locker if you want twin strip rubber layed down doing burnouts.
Cost less to purchase and build.

Brian R.
 
Hi Brian,
txs for the information,
I'll go and ask my buddy about ratio and locker the next days. I would assume he doesn't need the locker as he will cruise around mainly, no drag strip, but I'll ask. You never know :)

And no worries about your internet, we are not in a hurry, snowfall caught us again today :( .

Carlos
 
Hi Brian,
as I was guessing, my buddy doesn't need a posi or locker, but would aprecciate a slighly changed ratio to lower the RPM when cruisin' around, if this is doable w/o big efforts.
Carlos.
 
Hi Carlos,

I have not had a good chance to take photos for you & post them.
My basement started to flood from the very heavy midwest rainstorms( 7 inches in less than 24 hours) that passed through recent.
I caught the water seepage in time & pumped out away from my 97 year old farm house.
What an adventure. My basement never leaks ever.
Never say never..... :shock:
Saved all my Pontiac & Corvette parts & tools.
Others I know like my little brother had 3 feet of standing water in his basement.
Some had 7 to 8 feet water come through.

What gear ratio does your friend have in his 1955 Chevrolet truck right now ?
What gear ratio does he want to change to ?
The more I look at the photos, it looks like the same rearend used in a Tr- Chevy, 1955-57 Bel Air 2dr or 4dr.

Any future Mods in mind ?
How tall of a rear tire does he plan on using ?
What is his budget or want to spend ?

The 1957- 64 9.300 inch Olds Pontiac Gearsets are available new.
But there expensive to purchase. $399.99.
Guy in Texas sells Gears & hard rebuilt parts for them.
Fabcraft Engineering.
Brad Durhrest.
Have to have an admiration & love for them to invest $$$ to rebuild correct & set up new gears.

If on a budget, another 1955 - 57 3rd member setup with gears you want & axle bearing & seal kits is one option.
Ford 9 inch is #2 option.
#3 pick would be a 1970-81 Camaro/ Firebird 8.5 ring gear Differential assembly. These rears are still fairly common. 60 inch tire track, leaf spring brackets easily removed & relocated.
Take some heavy duty abuse even with stock axle shafts. Posi traction is readily available too. All Trans Ams were built with Posi traction standard.

Ford 9 inch is all American favorite today still.
Need to know the axle flange to axle flange measured distance, wheel bolt pattern, Leaf spring bracket center mounting distance, ect if your friend is planning another axle upgrade choice- swap out.
Determine what best fits his needs & budget.

Post back on your thread.
I will work on getting some photos up this week for you of the 1957-64 Poniac Olds rear diffs & parts I have collected up.

Brian R.
 
Hi Brian
Today I had a chat with my buddy, so here is what he would like to have
Today his 3rd member is 3.55:1, a little less to lower RPM would be great
Max hp he wants to be covered is 300hp
If possible he wants to reuse his brake drums, as he had refurbished them last summer with longer bolts fitting his rims.
Total width, flange to. Flange either stock, or one inch wider (would be 62 inches)
Of course axle must be "plug and play" :) , so just the propshaft might have to be cut, but leaf sping brackets etc. Must be in place, ready to be installed.

Overall budget is the limiting factor. I.e. If a wider axle costs big $$$, he goes with stock, same with 3rd member ratio or brakes.

Looking forward to hear what you think.

Carlos
 
Carlos said:
Hi Brian
Today I had a chat with my buddy, so here is what he would like to have
Today his 3rd member is 3.55:1, a little less to lower RPM would be great
Max hp he wants to be covered is 300hp
If possible he wants to reuse his brake drums, as he had refurbished them last summer with longer bolts fitting his rims.
Total width, flange to. Flange either stock, or one inch wider (would be 62 inches)
Of course axle must be "plug and play" :) , so just the propshaft might have to be cut, but leaf sping brackets etc. Must be in place, ready to be installed.

Overall budget is the limiting factor. I.e. If a wider axle costs big $$$, he goes with stock, same with 3rd member ratio or brakes.

Looking forward to hear what you think.

Carlos
Click to expand...

Let me think about this project for the next few days.
I built a Corvette Dana 44 for a friend down in Venzulia, South America a few years back.
Was Fed Ex truck freight shipped to a Florida ocean dock.
Was in customs for 2 weeks. Them took another 2 weeks to get to him.
Shipping I believe ran around $ 500.00 USD for him.
A full size rear axle assembly shipped to Germany, I dont know how much it cost tonight.
Shipping weight would be around 250 lbs.
The C4 Corvette Dana 44 was an aluminum housing and batwing rear cover. On a pallet with built box with open inspection window, weighed around 150 lbs.
Shipping large items in the USA has gotten expensive.
Overseas?
I have alot of projects going on current.
May be 1 month before I can dedicate 100 % effort to your friends rearend project.
Thinking.......

Brian
 
Hi Brian,
Please take your time to think about this Project. I do understand you have other priorities too, and I will of course accept whatever time you need, as W/o your support I would be stuck. I am patient here, definitely.

Shipping should't be the problem, i have Access to regular overseas container travelling betreten US and Germany. w/o additonal cost i can put in some stuff always. :mrgreen: . Lets Figure Out the details later on.

Txs again

Carlos
 
Rear axle brake drums, shoes, hardware, and backing plates are axle type specific Carlos.
Interchange is difficult from say a 1955 Chevrolet 1/2 ton pickup to a Ford 9 inch out of a 1970 Mach 1 Mustang.

I think I know a guy nearby me with A 1957 Chevy Bel air complete rear. See if he has it still. Gear ratio unknown.
It would be an open rear. Posi traction came out in 1958 as an option on select Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile cars.

I am kicking ideas around yet.
You say your on a budget. Not sure how much that means.
Least expensive to purchase and rebuild with new gears and Timken bearings, posi unit would be from a 2nd generation Camaro Trans Am. 8-1/2 inch ring gear, 28 spline axles, drum brakes 4-3/4 wheel bolt pattern, C clip retained axle shafts, 3 something series gear stock OEM.
403 Olds Trans Am had 2.56 gears. 10 th anniversery 1979 403 olds auto trans had 2.73 gear, 3 series carrier actuaully.
Purchase price , maybe 250 to 350 used. Rebuildable core.
Gears and bearing kit, posi rebuild clutch kit, 400 to 450.
About 60 inches axle flange to axle flange with drums installed.

Need to take time to visit a a friends local salvage yard.
Look around. Check with a tape measure. He hides the good stuff. Saves often for me.
Like Grumpys Dana 60 I picked up for him a while back.

Brian R.
 
Hi Brian,
I'd like to have such a friend "equipped" with a salvage yard like you over here. At our salvage yards you find stuff, just for the "boring latest models".
Tried to get differential for a 12 year old Ford, the guy said "I dumped all the old stuff, nobody cares about that any longer"...
So you are really lucky to have such sources and friend, and I am lucky finding yoou here :D
I'll ask my buddy how much he finally is willing to invest.
Carlos.
 
Carlos said:
Hi Brian,
I'd like to have such a friend "equipped" with a salvage yard like you over here. At our salvage yards you find stuff, just for the "boring latest models".
Tried to get differential for a 12 year old Ford, the guy said "I dumped all the old stuff, nobody cares about that any longer"...
So you are really lucky to have such sources and friend, and I am lucky finding yoou here :D
I'll ask my buddy how much he finally is willing to invest.
Carlos.
Click to expand...

I am slowly catching up on projects Carlos.
Current projects for 2 people that have taken much of my free time.
The easy & simple jobs you think that can be completed in a few days have taken much longer than expected.
Then I have the "Honey DO LIST......" :(
I have not forgotten about your friend.
Learned in the past not to bite off more than you can chew............entire group mad at you then because your knee deep in catching up.

Brian
 
I very well know your "problem" being over motivated in accepting jobs and projects. Also the "honey-do-list is obviously the same across countries.
We are in the same boat here.
Maybe you should tell your wife "if a man is promising to fix something he WILL do it, there is no need to remind him every six months" :)
I wasn't too brave yet doing so :lol:

Told my friend he has to wait, there are other priorities lined up ahead, no problem for him.
His budget ends at $1.800 to $2.000, you think that works out?

Regards
C.
 
Carlos said:
I very well know your "problem" being over motivated in accepting jobs and projects. Also the "honey-do-list is obviously the same across countries.
We are in the same boat here.
Maybe you should tell your wife "if a man is promising to fix something he WILL do it, there is no need to remind him every six months" :)
I wasn't too brave yet doing so :lol:

Told my friend he has to wait, there are other priorities lined up ahead, no problem for him.
His budget ends at $1.800 to $2.000, you think that works out?

Regards
C.
Click to expand...

Yes that's a large enough budget to work with Carlos.
SINCE ITS MOTHERS DAY TOMARROW, Only have today to wrap up one project.
Thats Ok, It will get done still.
Remember when we were all younger and everyday was MAN'S DAY ?!!!! :p
 
Hi Brian,
today my buddy had pulled his axle apart, and put new bearings in (after some modifications), so he can drive a few miles back and forth.
That is all he needs for now and gives you enough time to build his new rear end. So again, take your time and no worries.
Carlos
 
Catching up on projects Carlos.
Working on my Suburban this week.
New Scat crankshaft will be in tomarrow.
Doing job in vehicle working on cardboard.
1 piece rear main seal. Slid trans back using 8 Inch long bolts in place of bellhousing bolts.
Removed front differential also. Lots of working room.
Thrust bearing failed.
Someone seated main thrust bearing incorect prior.

Busy year so far.
Get to my friends salvage yard soon for you.
Need my Suburban 1st.
Men need thier trucks'!!!
 
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