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9 inch ford narrowing question

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by jabberwoki, Jun 8, 2013.

  1. jabberwoki
    Joined: Feb 10, 2011
    Posts: 127

    jabberwoki
    Member
    from puyallup

    Ok so total newbee to this action, we borrowed a fixture from a mate and set about cutting 1 inch out of each end and tiged it all up no sweat.
    I did a test fit with the original axles thinking that they would need 1 inch cut off to match. But when i put them in till they stopped it looks like i only need to take off 1/2 each side?
    What am i missing or is this as it shouild be?
    Thanks for your help.
     
  2. fordor41
    Joined: Jul 2, 2008
    Posts: 1,011

    fordor41
    Member

    Probably enough splines to go in the extra amount. I'd cut off same amount from each axle that was removed from each axle tube.
     
  3. jabberwoki
    Joined: Feb 10, 2011
    Posts: 127

    jabberwoki
    Member
    from puyallup

    That would require re splining as there is no enough splines. I`m ok doing that but if i don`t have too that would save $100.
    My question should read what is the norm?
     
  4. wingedexpress
    Joined: Dec 24, 2006
    Posts: 893

    wingedexpress

    I think that is normal. Most axles don't go all the way in to the cross pin.Can you cut off the 1/2" needed to go in?
     

  5. jabberwoki
    Joined: Feb 10, 2011
    Posts: 127

    jabberwoki
    Member
    from puyallup

    I think i`ll have a machinist do it on a lathe but i`ll have him drill the centering hole deeper just in case it does have to be shortened and re splined further.
    Does it hurt to be up against the cross pin? does not sound good.
    And can you cut an axle with a chop saw with out effing it up ie: to hot?
     
  6. wingedexpress
    Joined: Dec 24, 2006
    Posts: 893

    wingedexpress

    Doesn't need to rub the pin but it can be close.measure how much it needs to go in and ad an extra 1/8" or so.I don't think a chop saw would get it hot enough to hurt.Put some paint or something on the splines and slide it back in to see if it is running out of spines or hitting the pin.You will know how much you can cut off or if it won't work.
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2013
  7. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,264

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I would, as I do, cut them with a thin cutoff wheel in a hand grinder, rather than a chop saw. The chop saw blade is way thicker, and thus generates way more heat during the cut. Go slowly, and let the tool do the work. You will be surprised how well it works. I put a stainless hose clamp around the part of the axle I want to save, to act as a guide, and to keep me from nicking the axle with the tool, if/when I spaz out. Cut toward the screw mechanism, as it is wider than the band, and end the cut there.
     
  8. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,757

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    I got lucky and called an axle resplining co. before I narrowed my existing axle housing. He recommended a much wider axle assembly so that he could respline my used axles instead of having to have custom length axles made. I was told that he could not respline an axle a small amount. I bought the recommended wide 9" rear and sent him the axles. He cut them, respined them installed new bearings and seals for a lot less money than it would cost to have custom axles made.
     
  9. freeflynstl
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 311

    freeflynstl
    Member

    As a way to verify your measurement why not put the center section in and go in with a tape measure, hook the spline (important to make sure you indeed have hooked the spline) and measure out to the housing end. Add your brake spacing and check your existing axles.

    This is probably not the way to measure for new axles but a quick way to compare notes.

    Andy from STL
     
  10. jabberwoki
    Joined: Feb 10, 2011
    Posts: 127

    jabberwoki
    Member
    from puyallup

    Well i took the backing plates of to get a better look at the fit and what do ya know?
    Yes indeed it does need an inch taken out to fit. should have done this in the first place.
    Dooh.
     
  11. Jmountainjr
    Joined: Dec 29, 2006
    Posts: 1,672

    Jmountainjr
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Spend about $20 for a "dog bone" tool and it will answer all of your housing and axle shortening questions. It's cheap insurance to get it all right the first time.
     
  12. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,454

    oj
    Member

    How did you narrow it with the backing plates on?

    Whats a 'dog bone' tool?
     
  13. Jmountainjr
    Joined: Dec 29, 2006
    Posts: 1,672

    Jmountainjr
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Like this:
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Jmountainjr
    Joined: Dec 29, 2006
    Posts: 1,672

    Jmountainjr
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    In use:
     

    Attached Files:

  15. Where do you obtain a "dogbone" tool?
     
  16. Jmountainjr
    Joined: Dec 29, 2006
    Posts: 1,672

    Jmountainjr
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I got the one pictured from Dutchman Axles. It's listed in the tool section. I only bought the Ford 9", but they make several.
     
  17. Fenders
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 3,921

    Fenders
    Member

  18. 55chieftain
    Joined: May 29, 2007
    Posts: 2,188

    55chieftain
    Member

    If these are factory axles you may not be able only to take an 1" out each end. Usually on the axles at least 4" is taken off and than the resplining done. Found out the hard way, sent some axles out to Moser and was told they couldn't do it. I needed less than the 4" removed also.
     
  19. Thanks for the quick response Jim; the project moves on. Herm
     
  20. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,454

    oj
    Member


    Thats a slick tool, i'll have to invest in one of them.. I have the alston narrowing kit i bought back in early 80's and it came with a plate to bolt onto the housing that locates the pinion - for making drag race rears where the pinion is centered.
    thanks, oj
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  21. The dog bone is neat, but not really necessary IF you have the original donor axles. As mentioned, they should be shortened the same amount as the housing (or new axles ordered based on the original lengths).

    If you are building a complete rear end from scratch, that dog bone is very helpful.
     
  22. Jmountainjr
    Joined: Dec 29, 2006
    Posts: 1,672

    Jmountainjr
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I find the dogbone usefull when shortening a housing to double check pinion offset and tube length before welding. Also nice to confirm axle length once you know what brake offset to add to the dimension from end of axle spline to end of housing length.
     
  23. Relic Stew
    Joined: Apr 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,208

    Relic Stew
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    The factory splines are rolled in. The starting diameter is smaller than what is needed for cut splines, so the reduced diameter section needs to be cut off, and the new splines cut into a full diameter section.
     

    Attached Files:

  24. BOBCRMAN
    Joined: Nov 10, 2005
    Posts: 846

    BOBCRMAN
    Member
    from Holly

    Leadmine products, a dealer on Ebay also sells a version of the "dogbone". I like it. A marked/punched flat piece of sheet metal that fits the housing. Shows axle centerline, pinion centerline, housing opening centerline and height, axle length.

    I have cut many axles with a 14" abrasive cut wheel. Just use a narrow, good quality blade and heat buildup is minimal. Just cut a pair of aftermkt axles for my Studebaker last Saturday.
     
  25. Rookie1
    Joined: Apr 5, 2009
    Posts: 63

    Rookie1
    Member

    are both axles the same length ?
     
  26. jabberwoki
    Joined: Feb 10, 2011
    Posts: 127

    jabberwoki
    Member
    from puyallup

    That dog bone is the shizzel i will be getting one of those.
    Thanks.
     
  27. jabberwoki
    Joined: Feb 10, 2011
    Posts: 127

    jabberwoki
    Member
    from puyallup

    I didn`t i just had them on to approximate axle fitment but all they did was get in the way.
     

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