My 1971 Comet GT axle tag reads WDW AA. My master parts catalog only goes up to 1972 and this code is not listed. The center hub on the rear axle flange is a larger diameter than the front hub, so that stock Ford wheels will fit on the front but will not seat against the axle flange on the rear. I am assuming that the rear has been changed at some point to a later model. If so, in what year did they increase the size of the rear axle flange hub, and will earlier axles work in this housing?
Rear axle hub sizes with our Mav/Comet where 2.43" for earlier, I think up till around 73? Had 3 "holes" and later where 2.78" with large oval hole. Axles should interchange as they where all 28 splined. David
Pete, you didn't mention if 4 lug or 5 lug. This is for 8" housings: You can swap around any year of 5 lug with a 5 lug housing - and any 4 lug axle with another 4 lug housing - but you cannot swap around 4 lug with 5 lug axles, the housing bearings are different. The bigger hub holes came around the same time as the disk brakes - 1974 ish.
Look here: https://www.fordification.com/tech/rearends_ford04.htm WDW-AA Comet, Maverick '75-'77 2.79 gear 8 inch open diff 28 spline.
Is the material to have pilot turned down ? Axles usually have a center drill location that could be held by tailstock in lathe.
Yes, axle hub could be turned down. I forgot that this is what I did with mine, when I reused my 74 axles, removed the wheel studs and bearings, then mounted in lathe chuck via the bearing surface, trued up wheel mounting face. So the same could be done with center hub, if he wanted to turn its OD down from larger 2.78" to 2.43". Regarding the "center pilot" holes on each end, providing they are not damaged, can also check for any axle twist...... David
Should be'74 and later. 1974 was the year front disc brakes became optional on Mavericks/Comets, which would have larger hubs than the drum brakes...
Not that it applies to most Maverick but, hubs/spindles increased in size from 1969 to 1970. TRUE 1970 has larger front bearing, spindle & hub/wheel opening. This has zero to do with disc, my '69 Cobra & Fairlane has smaller wheel centers than my '72 Comet. Or at least did, when I swapped to disc brakes on Comet, I used smaller '69 Torino spindles. I'm not familiar with anything '74 newer, if they increased its the 3rd time.
He is really inquiring about earlier axles with smaller 2.43" hub, so he can use his Ford rims........ David
