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Rear axle removal

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73Midget

73Midget

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Hello everyone. Ok, I purchased my 73 Midget about two years ago and have been working on it ever since. I rebuilt the engine and thanks to everyone here successfully removed all emission controls last weekend. I still need to do a brake job, some minor body work and paint. The only problem is every time I think I am finished I decide to upgrade something buy something new, etc... It's like it never ends... or I'm just crazy!

With that said, last weekend after finishing removing the emission controls from the engine I placed the car up on jack stands removed the wheels and was going to start in the the rear brakes. However, once I took a look at the rusty leaf springs I decided to pull off the rear axle and redo the rear suspension. By redo am going to clean and paint the leaf springs replace all bushings and check the dampers.

My question is, while I have the rear axle removed is there anything I should replace or check to save me time in the future? Gaskets, seals, etc... I plan on replacing the wheel bearing to be safe. Thanks!
 
clean diff breather tube?
I replaced my bushings with rubber (i had never driven a spridget before), now I wish that I had used the poly.
 
There is a grease seal inside the rear axle hub.
Also an "O" ring and paper gasket where the axle meets the hub. Good idea to replace those. No sealant on that paper gasket.
I see you are in Bayville, NJ, I'm in Toms River.
If you need help, or wanna go for a drive, drop me a line.
<spritenut@exit109.com>
 
This is the kind of information I am looking for. Thanks. It's good to know there is someone close by willing to help. I may just take you up on that offer. I still have quite a bit of work before it will be on the road. It all depends on how much free time I have over the winter. I'm shooting for late spring early summer.

Are you going to be going to Britfest 2005? I think it's on the 5th of July this year.

I ride to work everyday with a guy from Tom's River.

my email adress is g_groiss@hotmail.com
 
[ QUOTE ]
... It's like it never ends... or I'm just crazy!



[/ QUOTE ]

Sure it Ends after you have rebuilt the motor and trans, done the Brakes, all bushings ,Springs , carbs fuel delivery, tires ,top, paint, recovered the seats, run all new lines and hoses, had the rad recored , done the heater box, wheel bearings, wiper blade and a complete electrical system overhaul , and aimed the headlamps, Then your about half way done.


But hang in there .. it Will End. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif




mark
 
Just this very minute, "Death is not the end" is playing on the radio.
Makes me think that 73Midget might very well be right... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nopity.gif
 
Not sure how the pinion seal is, though I do not see anything leaking. I will be able to better inspect the area once I remove the axle. Do you think this seal is something I should replace anyway? What about the pinion bearing and the axle case gasket?

I don't want to replace anything needlessly. However, I want to eliminate as many problems as I can from popping up in the future.

What are your thoughts on the leaf springs? I was just going to clean them off, repaint and replace the bushings.

-Greg
 
I wouldn't worry about the seal if it's not leaking since it's easy to get to. As for the pinion bearing, leave it alone if it's not causing trouble either.

As for springs, grease them really well inbetween the leafs. I also like to taper the ends so they're not square but that's just me.....
 
I know this is a thread from a long time ago but I have a few questions (as usual). I've got all the stuff to replace the rear leaf springs on my 76 midget but am not quite sure where to support the car when I drop the axle. I'm afraid of supporting it on the bottom since that looks pretty thin to me. I would use 2x4s on the jack stand saddles but am still afraid of bending the bottom. So I guess my question is will the tub just in front of the rear axle support the weight of back end of the car? And are there any tricks that I should know about as it looks pretty straight forward except for the whole "where can you jack it up" question..
Thanks,
JC
 
Jc i usually place them just inboard of the foward spring mounts.


mark
 
JC,

What I did was place a 2 x 6 just in front of where the leaf springs mount (so I had room to remove them). Had it run from one side of the car to the other and supported using four jack stands (one on each end and two in the middle. I also had the front up on jack stands so the car was level.

I had the car like that for quite some time. At one point I was even in the car working on the dash while it was up on stands. Maybe not the best idea but it worked. Car didn't move at all and no damage was done to the underside.

Hope this helps.
 
Mark and Greg,
Thanks so much for the info. That is exactly how I did it last night. The car is a lot more stable than I thought it would be up on stands like that. Pulled the driver's side rear leaf spring off. That was a very educational experience...lol. Did find that I have a seal leaking in the axle as I have gear oil coating the brakes on that side...Oh well, didn't think it could possibly be as straight forward as it seemed when I started.
JC
 
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