I have a narrowed rear end housing from my 62 Fairlane (small housing, small bearing, 28 spline) that I'm in need of an axle length of 24.625" The off the shelve 28" Currie cut-to-fit will cut down to 25" however just a tad too long for my application, which doesnt leave 1" of spline to engage the carrier. There does not seem to be as many offerings with the small bearing 28 spline as 'Big Ford' axles. My thinking is either have one built (WHERE?) or have someone lengthen the splines on the Currie cut-to-fit (WHO). Thanks in advance.
If you have to buy the cut-to-fit axle, and then pay to have the splines cut deeper, you might be getting into the range of just having a single custom axle made.
Moser has axles splined 'way up', as does Strange Engineering. My son bought axles from Strange, measured them and shortened to fit on the chop saw. To re-spline your axle would take a special 'broaching' machine (old by today's standards) and very costly. Contact this one: Nitro Gear & Axle 8" & 9" Small Bearing Triple-Drilled Rear Cut To Length Axle Shaft | Nitro Gear & Axle (nitro-gear.com)
I can't find now but in the last few days I have seen some cut to fit axles that must have had a foot of splines. Keep looking, was probably here in HAMB as I don't stray too far.
I nicked off 5/8" on my Dutchman axles when I got my housing narrowed and I still have enough for another 1/2" or so. From what I remember I only had about 1 1/8" of engagement on mine. It's a small bearing 9-inch, 31 spline which should be the same as your 8-ich. Pretty common. Yukon used to sell cut to fit axles, check out their website.
I would say yes they are. Only the bearing OD is different. When I ordered 31-spline axles made for my small bearing 57 housing I had to get a "special" adapter bearing to go from a thicker axle to a small housing. The bearing itself isn't that special as they built plenty of 31-spline big block Mustangs, Fairlanes, Cougars factory assembled that way.
I bought a cut-to-fit axle for a 8" Ford rearend from Yukon. Off hand I don't recall the spline length or minimum it could be cut down to, but they might make an axle for your small bearing 9". It's been a few years ago but at about $150 with the bearing (as I recall) I was pleased. Lynn
I quickly looked on Yukon's website and found this. Does it fill the bill? https://www.yukongear.com/shop/ya-f9-31-3300 Edit......I looked back and saw you were looking for 28 spline. Would a 8" Ford 28 spline axle work in a 9" housing? I've never tried it but if it has the small bearing it might work. The axle I bought from Yukon was a 28 spline cut-to-fit with small bearing and the splines were pretty long as I recall. Try this one? https://www.yukongear.com/shop/ya-f8-28-2718 Lynn
The 8" axles will fit a small-bearing 28 spline 9" (and vice-versa), I've done it. Many years ago I narrowed a 9" by a small amount (about 2" per side IIRC) to get big tires under an OT Mercury. This was before the days of readily-available aftermarket axles. I found a pair of axles from an early Fairlane 8" and by cutting about 1/2" off the ends had my 'custom' axles. I did have to check to make sure the existing splines were still long enough, but they worked. You do need to check your wheel hub register size however. Ford has changed that several times, and if running drum brakes its fairly important that the drums register properly to the axles. It may matter with OEM wheels also, its generally not an issue with aftermarket. Again, it's been a long time but IIRC I did have to change out the drums so they'd locate right without excessive runout.
This should work for you. Small brg. 30" long with 10" of splines. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1854564507...3SvhZpU2pz7rf0oL/YHQy3XptQ|tkp:Bk9SR4KujrjNYQ
UPDATE: I had received a couple Currie cut-to-fit and thought that they just might fit. Well, after cutting I'm 1/8" from fully seating the drivers side wheel bearing into the housing. I've run out of splines which keeps the axle from seating. So, do I relieve the spline where the taper starts, basically turning it down in a lathe, or send it out to have the splines cut longer? Other option would be to buy another axle such as the one listed by Xdrag48?
159 and wait for it, cut and install or shop charges and two trips back and forth to a shop. Is there anywhere near you that can extend the splines? You know you won’t be happy turning the axle down and not have full spline engagement. Edit: Besides when you twist the axle, it’ll be easier to see with splines that extend out a bit
The bearing should stick out a bit from the housing to allow for the thickness of the backing plate. The bearing acts as a registrar. The axle retainer flange should sit pretty much flush on against the backing plate.
Dutchman axles are the only way to go. You can order anything you want. Here is my order sheet for when I did the axles in my coupe. https://dutchmanaxles.com/
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