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Drilling Ford 9 Axles to change pattern

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 35PontiacCoupe, May 8, 2009.

  1. 35PontiacCoupe
    Joined: Jun 7, 2008
    Posts: 232

    35PontiacCoupe
    Member
    from COS

    I've read some of the threads about drilling 9" axle flanges to change the bolt patterns, and I know there are some people out there that think it shouldn't be done, etc. I've got a pretty good idea of a fixture to make sure everything is indexed correctly but I don't know how close I can make the new holes to the old ones.

    I'm going from 5x5.5 to 5x4.5 and the biggest problem is the access hole is right in the way- of course. There were some people who had drilled to 5x4.75 and made it work, but my templates put the holes pretty close to each other.

    Basically, I'm wondering how much space needs to be left in between the lug holes to keep it stable. If there isn't enough room, how would a plug work? Would it have to be welded in from the backside?
     
  2. 2-TONED
    Joined: Jan 31, 2005
    Posts: 1,683

    2-TONED
    Member

    i sent some axles over to the local mud bogger machinest here & he welded plugs in & then redrilled a pattern.

    i see new currie axles with 2 patterns & the holes are pretty close.
    i too would like to hear what others think.
     
  3. 35PontiacCoupe
    Joined: Jun 7, 2008
    Posts: 232

    35PontiacCoupe
    Member
    from COS

    WHen he welded them in, did he take a slice out of the flange to make sure it wasn't warped?
     
  4. Old Guy
    Joined: Mar 1, 2009
    Posts: 136

    Old Guy
    Member

    Just did a set from 5.5 to 4.5. Plugged the holes, welded both sides, and resurfaced the flange.The only thing that sucks is that the welds get really hard, which makes it a little tough to drill.
     

  5. bigolds
    Joined: Oct 27, 2006
    Posts: 883

    bigolds
    Member

    Did them on my 37...welded...resurfaced...milled new holes...used screw in studs....used to beat the livin' shit out of it...no problems!!!!
     
  6. Been there done that a few times before, I personally had a few issues with balance, after i pluged it.... did not want to spend the bucks to send them to the balancer .... got pretty close (guessing 99%)with a old high speed balancer on the car.
     
  7. When I ordered my axle shafts for my 9 inch rearend from Dutchman, they drilled them with 3 different bolt patterns [ 4.5", 4.75" & 5"]and the extra holes didn't void the warrantee. Must be safe.
     
  8. 35Chevy.com
    Joined: Nov 27, 2007
    Posts: 542

    35Chevy.com
    Member
    from New Jersey

    I would just send them to Moser Eng.

    Gary

    <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="568"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3">[FONT=Helvetica, Geneva, Arial, SunSans-Regular, sans-serif]Redrilling Bolt Patterns
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  9. 35PontiacCoupe
    Joined: Jun 7, 2008
    Posts: 232

    35PontiacCoupe
    Member
    from COS

    Is the balance issue sideways or top to bottom balance?

    I know moser doesn't cost a ton but shipping both ways is a pig too..

    Rocky- did those axles have access holes in them? How much material is there between the holes?
     
  10. 40streetrod
    Joined: Nov 11, 2007
    Posts: 477

    40streetrod
    Member
    from nj

    I would just send them to Moser Eng.
    That's what I did well over 10 years ago, many miles with no problems
     
  11. I just redrilled the new pattern in between . Why weld??????? went from 5.5 to 4.75. Took a morning of measuring and work. Measuring and layout is the key.
    Don
     
  12. BobbyD
    Joined: Jun 6, 2005
    Posts: 581

    BobbyD
    Member
    from Belmont NC

    Any machine shop that has a indexing head can machine them in a few minutes for any bolt pattern you want, thou it will require machining and welding in a plug for the "access" hole. You can send them to me and I'll do it for you right, PM me if you need my help.
     
  13. fab32
    Joined: May 14, 2002
    Posts: 13,985

    fab32
    Member Emeritus

    I send everything to Moser. I have them shorten and respline when necessary, change bolt pattern and install new studs and wheel bearings. I have then send their retainer plates as they are slip on not the captured stock type. When they change bolt pattern they weld up the old pattern
    remachine the flange true to the axle centerline and redrill the new pattern and press in new studs. They can put new bearings on for less than 1/2 what it costs to replace them here.
    Nice thing about them is they have a 24 hour turnaround. When I send them a pair of axles UPS I have them back in less then a week ready to install. Best service of any aftermarket company I've dealt with.

    Frank
     
  14. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    Ford made a LOT MORE different axles with the 5 on 4.5 pattern than with the 5 on 5.5 pattern.

    The 57 to 67 F-100 axle shaft measures 30 inches ( both the right side and the left side ) ... I helped a friend with his project and we used 64/65 Full size Ford axle ... It is 29.5 inches long ... and it has been trouble free for many, many miles. We even used the drums, backing plates and all.

    He runs a 460 Ford with a 125 shot of NOS ... :)
     
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  15. 35PontiacCoupe
    Joined: Jun 7, 2008
    Posts: 232

    35PontiacCoupe
    Member
    from COS

    This is what I want to do. How close were the holes to the access hole/existing holes? I'd rather drill without welding if I can.

    Moser is still an option but I'd rather do this myself if possible because I'm cheap and like doing things myself..
     
  16. 2-TONED
    Joined: Jan 31, 2005
    Posts: 1,683

    2-TONED
    Member

    yep he surfaced them. -- he is a very good machinest but he cant get off the mud bog 4x4 shit.
    he charged me 70.00 for the pair new studs included.
    i wanted mine surfaced. he does alot of 4x4s with the big tires they wouldnt know if the axles were warped or not.
     
  17. budd
    Joined: Oct 31, 2006
    Posts: 3,478

    budd
    Member

    i'm think of drilling my axle from 4.5 to 4.75, i would start by placeing them in my lathe and take a little cut/sctarch to give me the correct DIA. then print out the pattern on my office printer and center punch the locations, or i may mill my wheels to except uni-lug washers as they are aluminum.
     
  18. 35PontiacCoupe
    Joined: Jun 7, 2008
    Posts: 232

    35PontiacCoupe
    Member
    from COS

    How much space between the old holes/access hole and the new lugs is acceptable though? I'm looking at the template that I made with both patterns and it looks like about 1/8" of material in between. I don't know if that's enough- that's really what I'm looking for...
     
  19. seabeecmc
    Joined: Jan 28, 2005
    Posts: 1,185

    seabeecmc
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    "How much space between the old holes/access hole and the new lugs is acceptable though? I'm looking at the template that I made with both patterns and it looks like about 1/8" of material in between. I don't know if that's enough- that's really what I'm looking for... "

    Ain't it Hell trying to get a straight answer on the H.A.M.B.? Regards, Ron
     
  20. 35PontiacCoupe
    Joined: Jun 7, 2008
    Posts: 232

    35PontiacCoupe
    Member
    from COS

    Yes. Yes it is! I appreciate all the other ideas though!
     
  21. budd
    Joined: Oct 31, 2006
    Posts: 3,478

    budd
    Member

    i'm guessing your saying that between the access hole and an old stud hole, by spliting the difference you end up with 1/8" of meat, i was thinking of filling the access hole with a plug welded in and skipping the area i needed to drill and tap, i know 4 studs has enough strength for the way i drive and if i have 5 and one has 75 percent of the strength of the other 4 i'm good, so i would avoid being 1/8" away.
     
  22. enjenjo
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 2,689

    enjenjo
    Member
    from swanton oh

    1/8" is plenty.
     
  23. enjenjo
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 2,689

    enjenjo
    Member
    from swanton oh

    1/8" is plenty
     
  24. 35PontiacCoupe
    Joined: Jun 7, 2008
    Posts: 232

    35PontiacCoupe
    Member
    from COS

    Garrr... 1/8" is plenty, 1/8" isn't enough... Has anybody done it with that little space and survived to tell me about it?
     
  25. Ron Mayes
    Joined: Mar 24, 2006
    Posts: 708

    Ron Mayes
    Member

    Buy a wheel adapter for your needs , knock the studs out and use it as a fixture........... simple :rolleyes:
     
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  26. 35PontiacCoupe
    Joined: Jun 7, 2008
    Posts: 232

    35PontiacCoupe
    Member
    from COS

    Adapters cost almost as much as it costs to have moser do it themselves. Plus the real problem that I have is the access hole being in the way, not the lack of a fixture..
     
  27. budd
    Joined: Oct 31, 2006
    Posts: 3,478

    budd
    Member

    theres a difference in stud DIA. as well, some are quite small, i bet if you put your new holes on the front side of the old holes it would be fine, or even cutting odd the old studs and leaving them in there would be stronger.
     
  28. 2-TONED
    Joined: Jan 31, 2005
    Posts: 1,683

    2-TONED
    Member

    i had some axles once that had the access holes filled & i could get a wrench back there to tighten the bearing with the brakes off.
    you could try that.
     
  29. 2-TONED
    Joined: Jan 31, 2005
    Posts: 1,683

    2-TONED
    Member

    you got that right! i think sometimes they sit around on their computers eatin cheetos & drinkin beer & answerin questions..........:eek:
     
  30. fab32
    Joined: May 14, 2002
    Posts: 13,985

    fab32
    Member Emeritus

    I beg your pardon..............................Cheetos and Mountain Dew!!!

    Frank
     

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