BANG! Clank clank clank...

hornet53

OK, so after driving my 53 Hornet (hydramatic) to Vegas and Ventura CA a couple months ago, then bringing it home this last weekend from Ventura, the rearend decided to let go 2 miles from home. Let off the gas at our freeway exit and BANG! Looked underneath and saw the carrier bearing assembly had come loose from the crossmember and though that was it. It's happened before, so I thought nothing of it. Decided to test drive the car today and the noise was still there.

Long story (medium) short, two of the ring gear bolts in my Dana sheared off and one got caught up in the workings. Two bolts are completely missing, and all the rest are loose and the retainers are all pretty much damaged. The two bolts that sheared still have the threads screwed into the ring gear.

If I can get the rearend apart without damaging the axle bearing (always afraid of that), where should I get a new ring and pinion gear? I would like to think I can re-use them once I get the broken bolts out as there doesn't seem to be any obvious damage to the gears themselves, but I can't see everything yet. If this is the case, where should I source the bolts and retainers?

If there is damage to the pinion gear or ring gear, obviously I will have them changed out by a reputable shop because I don't have the expertise for such an endeavor.


sigh...

Glowplug

Just an observation from your comments; the shearing of the bolts is definitely an indication that these fasteners were under stress or had somehow loosened. Either of these conditions indicate there is another condition yet undiscovered within or without the failed rear end. Your signature block brings to mind "burnouts?". If true there in could be the source of the sheared bolts? In any case, no critic is intended, the Dana rear ends are usually pretty bullet proof. Hudson Dana rear ends interchange with others for example Studebaker, and are reasonably cheap to buy. Being in California, you should be able to find a complete serviceable rear for less money than what it will take to repair you failed unit. Wishing you good luck on your repair journey.

hornet53

Oldfarmer, no burnouts in this one. Hydramatic and 235/70 radial tires make that nearly impossible. If this would've happened to the 10 bolt in my truck, the pictures of the carnage would be accompanied by a picture of upgraded axle I would be installing!

The bolts that are still in place are definitely loose as the ring shifts when I turn the driveshaft back and forth, and there are two bolts that aren't even in there! 8 instead of 10, counting the 2 sheared ones.

All in all, I should feel lucky that in 13 years this will be the first time I will have ever had to put my car on the back of a truck (not counting moving back and forth to NC).

essexcoupe3131

Hornet53,
you maybe could use some easy outs to remove the 2 broken bolts
as a thought and reuse the gears if all is good there, just get a complete set of new high grade bolts
Mike

hornet53

Mike, That is my hope. Though I feel I still need to remove, at least, the ring gear to get to them. I have friends that rebuild 44's in their work at the airport, apparently the pushback trucks use them. they have offered to help me set the new gears up, should I decide I need to go that route.

I have to say though, the thought of a 3.31 or 3.56 gear is a little enticing. The 3.31 should make my speedo run a little closer to actual speed too.

PAULARGETYPE

SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT THE WASHERS ON THE RING BOLTS ARE A 1 TIME USE LOCKING WASHER THEY WILL COME LOOSE IF USED A 2ND TIME IF YOU NEED THEM GO TO YOUR PARTS STORE AND BUY THEM DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE MANY HAVE

hornet53

PAUL, I have a feeling that might be the case here. It took a long time to become the issue it has though. I've owned the car for 13 years and only ever done oil changes on the diff.

Park_W

Check Reider Racing's web site for new Dana gears if you should need them. Or for good info on the Dana's. These guys really know their stuff.

Lee ODell

Hornet 53, I'm partiing out a 54 Hornet if you need a rear end. I'm not too far from you in Burbank.
Lee O'Dell
Cell # 818 689 2015

brumac

Hornet 53, If you replace your existing gears, please consider changing the ratio to 2.72:1 I've done that on my 54 Hornet as per the suggestion of Jim Cropper (Florida) and find that it is a great all around gearing, unless you live in the mountains. Bruce

hornet53

Lee, I'm actually located in Portland OR. I just had the car visiting Ventura for a couple months between SoCal shows. Car is home now.

Brumac and Ken, I may just do that. I was thinking backwards when I said the speedo part. I do run the freeway a lot up here and having that extra top speed, I mean, fuel mileage, would be nice. Not a whole lot of mountain driving, but when I do, it's usually on the freeways.

hornet53

Park, I tried the Reiders Racing website and it is down.

I have a cousin that works at a local (chain) "speedshop" and he is having trouble finding the 2.73 or 2.72 gears for this thing.

Does anybody have a recommendation on where to obtain the gears? I can get the 3.07s but after the discussion here, I would really like to go with the 2.72s.

brumac

Hornet 53
I ordered mine from Border Parts, 3875 Bancroft Dr. in Spring Valley, CA 91977
tel:(619) 461-0171 They sent a kit which included bearings, cups, shims, a new yoke (because of different spline count. I told them what I had and what I wanted to do and they set me up with everything. I was very pleased with them. Bruce

TwinH

Randys lists the 3.07's. Didn't see anything higher.
ringpinion.com/#

DocHornet

I have the original style Dana pumpkin spreader tool for removing the ring gear. Be happy to send it to you for shipping costs if it would help
Phil 512 517-0055 phil at auldridge dot org