This is my first time dealing with a later model Ford rear end component, so forgive my lack of knowing the following. I've got a question regarding Torino "big bearing" axle ends. I had big bearing ends welded on to '40 Ford bells, and am wondering if there is some "crush" that is applied to the seals when everything is bolted together. In the attached photo there is 0.215" between the bearing end and the retainer plate (red arrows). The thickness of the brake backing plate is 0.120", and the gasket is measuring around 0.040 uncompressed. With it all added up, the math says there is 0.055 of space left between all the components. Does the seal get compressed this amount to "balloon" out the rubber ring on the outside of the seal between the bearing housing and seal, or do I need to shim this somehow to take up the extra(?) space? P/S: Cheap grade 5 bolts for mock-up
The axle is too long or the bearing is not pressed all of the way on. If the axle is too long it will bump into the spider gear cross pin and cause it to be hard to turn. I have never heard of seals on a rotating surface needing to be squished, the spring inside the seal applies pressure to the seal surface of the axle.
@Pocket Nick The axles are correct length and have clearance in the differential. Even if the bearing wasn't pressed all the way on the axle it wouldn't cause this issue. It's a matter of the bearing and seal possibly being too wide. The bearing is seating completely into the housing, and the seal is in the correct position. Were there varying widths of bearings?
What make axles? Did they have a spacer ring that was installed before the bearing? I run into situations where the spacer width varied by brake offset. Not saying that's your issue, but might want to ckeck.
I'd have to take the caliper out and dig a Ford backing plate out of the pile and measure it but some of that "slack space' is where the backing plate takes up space. Next step is figuring out how thick a normal Backing plate that fits a big bearing Ford axle is where it goes on the flange between the axle and the bearing retainer. Or figure out what spacer ring you need if you aren't running backing plates Per jmountainjr's post as he types faster than I do.
Tapered bearing two piece or ball bearing? I believe the big bearing housing were ball bearing. Looks like you have tapered bearing as I see the seal on the outside. If I’m not mistaken, the big bearing housing had a seal in the housing.
Yes, there appears to be a spacer ring that was put on before the bearing. If there was not a spacer ring the distance would probably be a lot closer to what I'd need, but without the spacer I****ume that a different seal would be required. Spacer is shown in first photo below. The backing plate thickness I measured at 0.120, just shy of an eighth of an inch. They appear to be ball bearings. There is a seal that has a rubber ring which seals against the inner diameter of the housing, and also a seal that rides on the axle shaft. Photos below.....
That looks like a tapered roller bearing. I’m not sure what ends he put on, but if he put big bearing ends on it, I’m pretty sure you need sealed ball bearings and the seal goes in the housing and seals on the axle surface. Pretty sure.
You two fellas seem to have a good grip on this. So my question is: If I get the correct bearing, retainer and seal (1.562 ID) should I be able to reuse these axles?
Maybe. A sealed bearing with correct OD and ID with outside "O" ring takes care of the bearing and seal unless you also want a housing tube seal, but not needed. Have you checked if the brake off dimension is correct for the brakes you plan to use? Measure from the shoulder the the bearing rests against when fully pressed in place to the outside edge of the axle flange. Backing plates and shoes are designed to work with a specific offset dimension. The big ford end and the Torino ends tylically use a different offset. The early big bearing ends are 2 3/8" and the Torino ends are 2 1/2". They also use a different bearing. The early big ford end used a sealed bearing that was not lubed from the housing. The later Torino ends used tapered bearingd because Ford thought they were needed for disk brakes. The tapered bearings are lubed from the housing and require an outboard seal. However with so much aftermarket ends and retainers out there you can find lots of different combos used. I would start by talking to the vendor you got the ends from for required bearing / seal info.
I think the whole thing has to be rechecked. Axle length and all. I would start by finding out what bearing is supposed to fit in the new housing ends. I suppose it’s going to be the sealed ball bearing style.
I think so, it'll end up seating right and you said diff/side gear relations are good with the gap gone.
Thanks so much for the "counseling". I appreciate it. There's always a learning curve when I am working with "new to me" stuff.
Looking at your first picture,****uming all the parts are correct, the outer seal is usually installed into the housing with a purpose build driver and not drawn into the housing with the retainer. What brakes will you be using?
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