If I had to do it all over again

Kdancy

I would modify a late model rear end to go in the 37 PU I'm working on. I've been thru 4 rear ends now and have found major problems with all 4. Two had badly worn or pitted ring and pinions, one had the ring coming thru the housing and the last one has the carrier bearings inner race turning against the housing flange it is pressed on to. Washed a lot of metal particles out of that one. Glenn is checking on a 47 carrier assembly to send down so I hope that does it!

Jon B

I'm sorry for all the trouble you've had. I think the rearends were one of the weak points of the '37's. But, that said, my rearend has held up fairly well over the 37 years I've been driving the car. I did notice that the ring gear had a welded cog when I bought it (so I guess it gave some trouble during its first 34 years of life) and in 1980 the rearend went out on a trip and left me high and dry. I put in NOS 4.11 gears at that time and have had absolutely no problem ever since.



One thing: while you have the rear end apart, do check your axles. At the inside end of each shaft is a thrust button that rides against a thrust spacer in the differential. These buttons will wear slightly over the years and the entire shaft will then have some in-out play. What happened to me was, that the axle shaft and brake drum would move inward during a turn, and the rivets on the drum began to cut into the brake cylinders! This was not dangerous because the movement was maybe 1/16" of an inch, but it sure made for some interesting noises! Anyway, be sure to set up the clearances when you install the shafts and if necessary, replace the thrust button (you might be able to simply build them up with a weld and grind to proper depth). No sense in going back into the rearend once AGAIN at some future date, after all you've been through!

Park_W

Sounds like the axles you've worked with have been really neglected and/or stored for too many years. In normal or even somewhat abusive service and reasonable storage conditions these axles have performed very well over the years. With all the cars getting modern drive trains, stepdown axles installed for beter ratios, etc., one might expect there would be more good original ones available.



Jon's advice is right on.

Kdancy

Update-

I wound up taking apart two 47 rear ends and used the ring and pinion + housing from one, then had to use the carrier assembly (minus ring and pinion) from the other to build a serviceable 4:11 rear end for the 37. Just put the axles in and checked end play this pm. Now to get the e-brake cables in place before installing the drums!

Now I have an assortment of parts from 4 rear ends scattered across the shop + a 4:11 ring and pinion from another 37 rear end.

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Park_W

What we do for love !

[Deleted User]

Do you have any pics of the work you did ? Post them up. I too will be building a 37 pickup and would like to learn as much as possible. thanks

Kdancy

aristch wrote:

Do you have any pics of the work you did ? Post them up. I too will be building a 37 pickup and would like to learn as much as possible. thanks

I'll put some links up tomorrow.

Pinion ---



More here---



http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/studebaker2/37%20Terraplane%20PU%20axle/37%20Rear%20End/