Have a question for Phoenix members. Is there a location that will do the following: (1) re-drill Ford 9" axles to change the bolt pattern? I need to go from 5x5.5 to 5x4.5 (2) Install new axle bearings? Thanks
Steve with Industrial Chassis is in the same building with Phoenix Hot rods If he drills axles or not I don't know.
Every 1/2 ton pickup with a 9 inch in it from 57 until the end of 9 inch rears. I have four of them out here. One is out of a 74 F 150.
Yep, late 50's to mid 70's truck housings. Then again, it's a toss up (cost-benefit) on price for re-drilling OR new axles. Bearings are a wash since both would need them.
There is a hole in the flange to allow a socket to remove the axle retainer from the housing that must be filled with a plug . I clean the hole nicely , make a plug press fit , then tig Weld it to the axle . After this axles can be redrilled to any pattern . I have done a few this way with not one issue .
Anybody with a Bridgeport type mill and a digital readout can redrill axles. Hang the axle on parallels over the back of the table, swivel the head around some and clock up the spigot diameter and away you go. Depending on what studs are being used a custom cutter diameter may be required.
You may have found someone but check your messages. OOPS I couldn't message you because of your privacy settings so if you still need the info message me.
You also could buy a drilling jig from Hell’s Gates Hot Rods (an Alliance vendor) and drill them yourself. You may need to weld a plug in the access hole as someone else mentioned.
Buy one if those red plastic pattern checker and put on and center punch the ones you want and drill them. I drill them at slightly over 1/2” and there’s a Dorman wheel stud that’s just over the 1/2” for the stridations and pull them in with an impact. I slightly taper grind the edge of the stridations. I’ve done this 10-15 times and the drums center on the hub so they are no sweat. Both drag and my land speed Pontiac rears were changed.
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