replacing axle in Columbia

[Brian]

I forget the details from when I assembled my Columbia. I recall you need to remove the crownwheel in order to separate the unit. What I'm wanting to do is replace the RH side axle shaft. Hopefully whilst leaving majority of axle under the car....Can I just remove LH axle housing which will expose the crownwheel, undo said crownwheel, and then be able to get at spiders and RH axle while leaving rest of the stuff in place? Or must I pull both axle housings?
Thanks, Brian
And yes, I know about keeping same gasket thickness each side.

[Bored&Stroked]

Hey Brian, let me look at an unassembled one I have in my shop in the AM tomorrow. My guess is that you'll have to pull the entire axle assembly (no real benefit to splitting the banjo while it is in the car). The reason is you have to get to the bolts that tie the ring gear to the Columbia differential area - which requires that you pull the banjo as well as the Columbia (this is what I remember, but will check). To me, all this fussing around is MUCH easier with the whole rear out of the car . . .

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by Brian

I forget the details from when I assembled my Columbia. I recall you need to remove the crownwheel in order to separate the unit. What I'm wanting to do is replace the RH side axle shaft. Hopefully whilst leaving majority of axle under the car....Can I just remove LH axle housing which will expose the crownwheel, undo said crownwheel, and then be able to get at spiders and RH axle while leaving rest of the stuff in place? Or must I pull both axle housings?
Thanks, Brian
And yes, I know about keeping same gasket thickness each side.

Yes , It will come out as you explained. But as mentioned,it’s probably just as easy to remove the whole thing. Gotta ask, what’s wrong with the right side axle ??

[Brian]

Gotta ask, what’s wrong with the right side axle ??



Actually- nothing!!
Long story. It's like this you see....when I go about building something, I tend to possibly go overboard- i replace everything with new parts.


My Columbia was no exception, except the only new axles I could find were NORS, not genuine Ford. These were 37-40 81A prefix things, although the vehicle is a 35. Same length axles, however side gears and spiders are different, no problem, it all fitted up....Then discovered I needed a shim on the LH axle taper to position the LH hub in proper place. That's not right, especially with new parts....
Nowadays we all complain about the absence of quality in new, China made parts, obviously quality of aftermarket parts has long been an issue.

Anyway, of late, I have been doing a hydraulic brake conversion, and upon trying to torque up the rear hubs, discovered I cannot get anywhere near correct torque on that LH side; the thread seems to be stretching.


Advertised here on the barn for another axle...had some replies [thanks all who responded], and was in the process of completing a deal when I found, here in NZ a pair of 35-36 [48 prefix] axles. I already have new spider gears. So, now the plan is to replace both axles and spider gears. Hence the original question.
If it was an original diff it would be easy to simply pull the LH housing and remove both axles ,crownwheel and carrier as a unit. Hoping I can do much the same with a Columbia...

[G.M.]

About 30 years I bought 13 Columbia rears that were all apart out of 1940
convertibles. A guy named Greg Mathews in Media, Pa. collected 40 convertibles.
He had them all apart stored in the cellar and garage. He was getting divorced,
his wife was getting the house and he had to remove his parts. I put them in
5 or 6 of my cars and still have the rest in the garage. I have a fixture on my
1/2" steel welding table to cut down the right axle housings of the longer 48
Columbia axle to fit earlier rears and also relocate the spring and shock mounts.
I may be interested in selling all the parts and the welding table as on package.
Don't contact me for one rear or parts they are not for sale. G.M.

[Brian]

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Looking on Google images, I pulled this picture. So, I think, upon removing LH axle housing, then crownwheel, I should see this arrangement. Simply pull spiders and RH axle. Easy peasy, all without having to remove entire rear end [I hope]!!

[Lawrie]

Brian you are correct on the repo axles, I bought some nors ones a about 20yrs back and fitted them to the 33, , then when I went to take the hub off one using the correct puller it just mushroomed the thread over , it was as soft a taranaki cheese.
I only use ones with the ford logo on them now. ,if you look on the shaft about 1 or 2 inches back from the gear you can see the small ford logo, these ones last and are as hard as,
Lawrie

[Brian]

Yeah; Genuine Ford Parts, fit right, last longer

[Bored&Stroked]

You're still going to have to pull both axles (as an assembly) and the pumpkin to get to the ring gear bolts - that is a pretty heavy bunch of iron - especially laying on it's side. Me, I'd pull the whole axle and make an attachment to mount the rear on an engine stand - so you can rotate it around. Sure makes things a LOT easier.

One can also make a simple wooden stand - tall enough for the bearing journal to not hit the floor, makes it easy to work on it as well. You can make it high enough for the axle to be in if you need too.

Best of luck, let us know how it goes!

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[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by Brian

Looking on Google images, I pulled this picture. So, I think, upon removing LH axle housing, then crownwheel, I should see this arrangement. Simply pull spiders and RH axle. Easy peasy, all without having to remove entire rear end [I hope]!!

Ah, so you meant 'right hand' when facing the car from the front . . . not the Columbia side of the rear axle.

[Brian]

I meant LH as seated in drivers seat.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Brian

I meant LH as seated in drivers seat.

Brian, You can leave the right axle housing in place if you'd like to (only) replace the left axle.
Spread the spring and remove it from both sides.
I'd leave it (spring assembly) in the frame - simply disconnect the shackle bars.
Remove the left axle housing after removing backing plate.
The rest is pretty straight forward.
You'll need to remove the safety wire from the nine (9?) bolts, remove the bolts and pull the axle and ring gear at once.
Insert the NOS axle with special bronze washer making darn certain it (washer tangs) are in the proper places prior to reinstalling the bolts. Rewire and zip the rest up....

[Brian]

Yeah, I got that...however, because my replacement axles have a different tooth count than what's in there, I also intend to pull the spiders and RH axle and replace. I'm into the job, should know later today if it's doable.

[Brian]

Kube's information is correct....by pulling LH housing, I can only replace the LH axle. To get at the rest I need to strip Columbia side. Bugger!! More work. Oh the joy of it all!

[Brian]

LH side off

[Kurt in NJ]

put it in overdrive and turn till the spyder is visible in the notches, pull it out, pull axle out

[Brian]

Kurt, You are The MAN!! I 'thought' the spider would come out, but wasn't in line with the notches. Of course, what you say makes perfect sense!! Thank you! Brian

[Karl]

Brian do you need some of the old bits back from me ! Still feel guilty abput the heads ! -Karl