The Ford Barn

American Iron · 03-03-2019, 09:36 AM

Can I change just the axles and housings from a 39' Ford to a 42' Ford center section? Thanks for any help. Dan

deuce_roadster · 03-03-2019, 09:46 AM

I don't see why not as long as you use the axles AND the housings. The banjo casting is the same. Put new seals inside the housings at the outer end since it will be apart. If this is to go in a 39 it will be exactly the same width as the original 39. If it is to go into a 42 it will be a little narrower and you would have to use the 42 torque tube and radius rods. You will also want to use the 39 spring on the 39 axle housings .

American Iron · 03-04-2019, 11:25 AM

Thanks for the info. I have a 39' pickup with 4:11 gears and I bought a 42' with 3:78's. I want to swap just the center section into the truck with a S10 T5 trans. to be able to keep up with the traffic. It already has a 100hp. V/8. Dan American Iron

deuce_roadster · 03-04-2019, 11:35 PM

Make sure you use exactly the same thickness gaskets on each side of the banjo as was originally on there, that was part of the original setup.

40 Deluxe · 03-05-2019, 12:53 AM

[QUOTE=deuce_roadster;1733108]Make sure you use exactly the same thickness gaskets on each side of the banjo as was originally on there, that was part of the original setup.[/QUOTE

Maybe, maybe not. Those gaskets serve as shims for setting backlash and preload on the side bearings. The machining tolerances could be different on the housings you're using.

deuce_roadster · 03-05-2019, 10:20 PM

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Could mic both banjos and see how close they are to being the same width. My understanding is these are used parts going together not new ones and are probably more forgiving. Alternatively, could do a complete setup from scratch.

rotorwrench · 03-06-2019, 04:50 PM

With used bearings, a person doesn't want as much preload as with new but it has to have at least some preload. The original stack would get the backlash pretty close but it's hard to judge on old compressed gaskets unless you know how much they compress under torque up. It's also hard to judge how much the wear has affected the original backlash. If a person replaces bearings then it should be adjusted from scratch with new gaskets.

03-03-2019, 09:36 AM	#1
American Iron Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 13	Banjo Axles Can I change just the axles and housings from a 39' Ford to a 42' Ford center section? Thanks for any help. Dan

03-03-2019, 09:46 AM	#2
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: Banjo Axles I don't see why not as long as you use the axles AND the housings. The banjo casting is the same. Put new seals inside the housings at the outer end since it will be apart. If this is to go in a 39 it will be exactly the same width as the original 39. If it is to go into a 42 it will be a little narrower and you would have to use the 42 torque tube and radius rods. You will also want to use the 39 spring on the 39 axle housings . Last edited by deuce_roadster; 03-03-2019 at 09:54 AM. Reason: thought of other issues depending on use

03-04-2019, 11:25 AM	#3
American Iron Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 13	Re: Banjo Axles Thanks for the info. I have a 39' pickup with 4:11 gears and I bought a 42' with 3:78's. I want to swap just the center section into the truck with a S10 T5 trans. to be able to keep up with the traffic. It already has a 100hp. V/8. Dan American Iron

03-04-2019, 11:35 PM	#4
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: Banjo Axles Make sure you use exactly the same thickness gaskets on each side of the banjo as was originally on there, that was part of the original setup.

03-05-2019, 12:53 AM	#5
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,779	Re: Banjo Axles [QUOTE=deuce_roadster;1733108]Make sure you use exactly the same thickness gaskets on each side of the banjo as was originally on there, that was part of the original setup.[/QUOTE Maybe, maybe not. Those gaskets serve as shims for setting backlash and preload on the side bearings. The machining tolerances could be different on the housings you're using. Last edited by 40 Deluxe; 03-05-2019 at 10:52 AM.

03-05-2019, 10:20 PM	#6
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: Banjo Axles Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Could mic both banjos and see how close they are to being the same width. My understanding is these are used parts going together not new ones and are probably more forgiving. Alternatively, could do a complete setup from scratch.

03-06-2019, 04:50 PM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Banjo Axles With used bearings, a person doesn't want as much preload as with new but it has to have at least some preload. The original stack would get the backlash pretty close but it's hard to judge on old compressed gaskets unless you know how much they compress under torque up. It's also hard to judge how much the wear has affected the original backlash. If a person replaces bearings then it should be adjusted from scratch with new gaskets.