1972 Merc Comet......rear wheel axle shaft

Just had an incident I have never experinced before.......the driver side rear axle shaft disconnected from the axle holder........slipped out and wheel, brake housing left vehicle.....thank goodness it happened at low speed and in a gentle turn.........Nothing seems damaged but just not sure what happened and how to repair.........

Thanks for all the help............

Jdino2

 

Is the bearing still on the axle?

 

Thanks Jamie.......we just pulled everything apart.......the bearing was not attached to the axle spindle shaft....stuck inside the main axle housing......we had to pry it out along with the seal and retainer ring.......looks like we'll need a new bearing and seal and will need a machine shop to re-press the new bearing onto the axle spindle shaft...never seen anything like this....chevy has a C-type clip ring that holds the spindle shaft.........live and learn I guess.....thanks again.

Jdino2

 

I saw something similar to this a few months ago, there was a ford van parked on side of the road and the tire along with the axle was sticking out the side about a foot and a half past the fender....oddest thing Ive ever seen.

Hope you get it fixed soon

 

If you have an old crock pot, heat some 30 weight oil to about 150-175 degrees F. Use a good thermometer and high temp. gloves. Use something like a coat hanger to dip and retrieve the bearing. Put the bearing in the pot gently and let it set for about a half hour. The bearing sould slip on to the shaft. The flash point of the oil is above 300, but use caution.

 

Ford rear axle retention on 8" and 9" is generally considered safer than C-clips like on Chevies and Ford 8.8s, especially in drag racing. If you break an axle, it is a lot more likely that the tire and wheel will stay with the car rather than flying off into space. Typically you will break the axle inside the housing and the retainer keeps it attached.

What happened to you is kind of freaky, though. I would chalk it up to "old car".... things happen.

 

I had it happen to a 1968 Galaxie I had. Went around the corner...and "pop"....car was now sitting on the ground. Axle had came out just as you described.

 

make sure the axleshaft is not worn where it fits in the bearing for some reason

 

jdino2

You may need to replace the axle it may not hold the new bearing.
call bill thomas at 909 888 7949 he is in san berdo
1877n massachusetts ave # 5067

if anyone has the axle he will and all nessary parts


Jay