56 Olds/Pontiac Rear Axle problem

Hey Guys,

I've got a 40 Ford with a 56 Olds/Pontiac 3.08 16-spline rear end, non-posi. One of the axle bearings disintegrated so I pulled both axles and had both bearings replaced. I pulled the pumpkin out and inspected it just to make sure there was no damage to the gear set. Also cleaned up the outer axle housing bearing seat surfaces.

Put the pumpkin back in and then the driver's-side axle, no problem. But when I try to get the other axle in, it won't go in to where the bearing normally seats....it's about 3/8" out.

I compared the bearings on both axles and they're identical and pressed-on correctly by the shop. So I figure I've goofed somewhere. Does anyone know if the gear set position on the pumpkin makes a difference when re-installing the axles ?

This one has me baffled. Thanks for any help.

 

Are the axles the same length?

Ford Track-Lok differential side gear/posi hub splines have to be aligned, never heard of it with a non-posi though.

 

Is there an old bearing race stuck in the housing?

 

The axles are different lengths.

 

This is incorrect, the axles are the same length for this rearend. As mentioned possibly a left over race or anything back where the splines are that could be blocking it there?

 

Thanks for the suggestions. The axles are both the same length..pics attached....I also marked each one before I took them out just in case.

The axle housing is clear, no old bearing races, etc. It looks pretty simple and I've done similar ones on a mid-50s Chevy, that's why I'm lost on this job.

 

could the housing be bent/warped?

 

It might be an illusion but it looks like the bearing on the top axle has a rounded chamfer on the outer race whereas the lower bearing has a more squared off chamfer.This may cause the bearing not to seat properly.Also you didn't state whether the problem was on the axle that the bearing went out on or not.Did you have any problems removing the axle and/or the old outer race?Maybe some fragment of the old race or possibly a burr in the housing caused by the removal?Just throwing out some ideas.

 

Did you try the other axle in the problem side? That may help determine if it's the axle/bearing or carrier/housing issue.

Are you using the nuts for the retainer to try to draw it in or tapping it in? Maybe use some emery cloth to clean up the housing bore where the bearing goes in. The differant champher just may be from a differant vendor, but the od of the bearing should be the same regardless. 3.150"

 

Bingo. Even though I cleaned the outer housing seat w/160grit it took a 5lb hammer on a 2x4 to drive the axle in on that side. The other side just took a couple light taps.

The only other thing that was odd on this repair was the carrier 10Bolt cover gasket. Every reference I found pointed to a Fel-Pro RDS6431. The gasket I got was 10 Bolt and approx 12" across. Too big...I had to make one up as mine was about 11" across.

Once again, thanks for the help on this one.

 

Sounds like it may have been for a 57 rear end.I had that problem when I replaced the center section in my 55 Safari.The gasket I got was too big and even though it was listed for a 37-56 Pontiac it turned out to be a 57 .No problem as I used it on my 57 Safari.Had to make one for the 55 as well.Glad everything worked out for you.