Solicitation of pointers on how to get this center cluster out. Had a freebe 55 Axle lying around and thought I'd give it a look over. Don't really know what I'm doing. Haven't gotten rough with it so far....thought I'd pause to ask a question. While it may be an unpopular choice....I suspect that as long as it meets my width requirements....it could more than handle the 8ba in front. The cover only comes close to removal then stops. I suspect maybe the gear is being held or ??, Or may need to push on thru (give it some more grunt???)
Me thinks the same, but if the axles have been pulled, a little more grunt. Ford used that axle thru 56. Will hold up behind a flatty, but hard to find parts for.
A little trick for pulling the axles is to turn the drum around and thread the lugnuts with the flat side towards the drum on until they are flush with the studs. Then use the drum like a slide hammer.
Another low budget axle removal trick is put a reasonably big chain several feet on a lug. Then snap the chain. That reaction at the lug will help pull the axle loose. Sent from my SM-A102U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Yes indeed it was an Oops moment but got to learn on it!! In the end I found damage to the ring gear...I may have caused it but I'm not sure. At this point....current 3rd member issues, a rebuild, no drums, no brakes.....I believe it's ready for the scrapper. Thanks to all for the tips....
the gouges on the big round part of the case are probably from the pinion nut getting loose, so the pinion gear moved back...which is also probably related to chipping off the ends of some ring gear teeth. Yeah, it's gonna need some work, and there's probably a better one to start with out there, somewhere.
First thing is 55's were noisey, second was they were noisey. They were the same/similar from 49-56. Lots have been taken out. I'd did and sold it complete for $100. A lot of 55-56's are upgrading now as we are seeing more of them... Keep checking Craig's list. Their highest ring and pinion was 3.22. Something to also think about.
An 8 inch out of a Maverick will swap in with only changing the spring pads. One from a '65/66 Mustang or Falcon will work as well but IIRC its just a tad bit wider WMS to WMS.
Here is another option some guys have used usually around $100-$150 in a U-Pull-It and only 56.5" width https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-7_5-axle.shtml The 8.8 is a little beefier but in your case the 7.5 will handle a flat head easily. The upside is in case you need brake parts they will be cheaper and more available than the 1949-56 Ford axles. Is this near you ? https://gainesville.craigslist.org/pts/d/lake-butler-wrecked-1997-ford-ranger/7282039742.html
Glad to hear it. We bought a new 55 and whined the 9 years we had it. My dad knew if many that did. Our 56 was quiet. 3.22 or 3.21 were available in 56. I was just stating that the highest available from 49 thru 56 was the 3.20’s
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