'40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Got my rear drum off with the special tool and as before it came off with a "pop" !

The spindle had some rust on it. Is it okay to take some fine emery cloth and clean up that spindle ? I know from what I was told before that when I reassemble the drum that spindle has to be super clean and dry.

Thx....Mike

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Yes, that's fine.

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Best by far would be to use grinding compound with the drum:
Remove the key, put some compound on the taper, install the drum with the nut just tight enough to allow you to spin the drum by hand. This removes all burrs and blemishes from both drum and taper, and mates the pair to each other.

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

My question is how do you get the compound off? I use valve lapping compound and it left a film that I still haven't been able to remove with the usual cleaners.

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

A shot of brake cleaner and a brass wire brush for in the keyway, another shot of cleaner and a wipe with a shop rag.

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Brake cleaner didn't do it for me. I'll scrub with the brass brush. My compound could be old, but I don't see how that should matter.

I am using the "green" CRC with is the CA friendly version. I'll hunt down the good old red, burn your eyes out when it squirts back at you version.

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

NOW may be the time to hit it with emery cloth! DD

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

I need to get some finer emery cloth. I think mine is 60 for plumbing. That may be too course.

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Don't know how bad your spindle is but, I would start with 320, then go to 400, then 600, with a few drops of oil.

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Guys thx !! I'll use light emery and CRC "Original" to clean. I'll brass brush the keyway also.

I appreciate the help.

Thx...Mike

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Fordy..... will do.....raining right now and will go out to barn in awhile.

Thx

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

I've adjusted all the cams so that there should be enough room for Drum to slide on, but it's way too tight and not sliding on very well. Am I missing something ?

Thx.....Mike

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

You sure the parking brake is FULLY released? DD

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Yes parking brake fully retracted. The other right rear went on easy, but the the drivers rear is really tight !

I’ll measure the lining thickness this morning.

Thx......

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Mike, that won't tell you much if your anchors had been adjusted to the previous worn shoes. Retract your anchors, they'll have to be readjusted anyway.

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

38 ....I've retracted the anchors as far as they will go. The drum is stuck on now and have to use the hub puller this morning to get off. Ran out of time last night. I'm wondering if I need to grind down that ridge that forms around the edge of drum from years of wear. I'll check that out today.

Thx.....

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Drum has no ridge and I can see that no matter where I move the top or bottom adjusters the drum just won't slide into place. I can see on the shoe lining where it's rubbing on the drum. Shoe thickness is .18....... Can I safely sand those areas down ?

Thx....

Re: '40 rear axle tapered spindle
 

Yes, I had to do that with my rear drums. I used some old fashioned chalk and scribbled lines on the shoes. I turned the drum as much as I could and where the chalk was missing was the high spots. Took a bit, I got them to seat perfectly in the drum.

NOTE: Wear a good mask/respirator. There could be asbestos in the lining.