60 knuckles on 40 axle question (1 Viewer)

[Lifelong40Fan]

I’m building a disc brake axle for my 45. I’m piecing together 60 knuckles onto an axle tube from a ‘74 55. I had to grind the inside of the axle tube for the birfields to fit. All that’s done and I’m assembling the knuckles out. I discovered that when I install the hubs that there is no room for the outer snap ring. I could see this happening if the 60 knuckles are wider than 40/55 knuckles. Does anyone know if this is expected or problematic?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[cruisermatt]

did you already thread an M8 bolt in and try to pull the birf out to install the snap ring?
Are the locking hubs from the 60 or the 55? 55's had the long-body Aisin hubs.

 

[4Cruisers]

Have you tried threading a bolt into the end of the axle shaft and pulling it outward? I think I remember having to do that on an axle I built in the past.

Well, it looks like @cruisermatt beat me to it .

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

I did. Should have taken a pic of it. I pulled and moved it maybe a 1/8”. But it needs to move out more like over 1/2”. I dunno

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Are the locking hubs from the 60 or the 55? 55's had the long-body Aisin hubs.

They are 60 Aisin hubs. Also have a set of warns too. Same results with both.

 

[pb4ugo]

Post 42 maybe helpful.

Lock out 101 (FAQ)

First the washer you asked about Alan: This is the washer that Warn supplies with their lock outs to work with 01/79 and later, shorter outer fing birfs.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[peesalot]

you can do the washer trick or get short body lockouts. So you are using what year 45 third & axles ? Also I see the dowel pins missing from the hub, you really need those in & fit proper or you will shear all 6 studs off sooner or later whichever lockout you end up using the dowels need to be there.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Thanks for the help guys. The pic is with the short body Aisin lockouts on it. And the dowel pins were in the body of the hubs. I don't know, maybe I need to take everything apart again and be sure to keep constantly pulling the birfield out as I'm assemblying. Maybe I'll try that on the other side first to see if it makes a difference.

The third and inner axle tube is from a '74 55.

 

[peesalot]

You may have another difference, you say you have 1974 fj55 birfs & inner axles ? I am not sure but I do not believe the fj55 birf & spindle use the same bearing/support for the stub part of birf in back of spindle? That may be causing the birf to be short, not sure. Try putting minitruck birf on your inners ? OR IIRC there is a IFS hub that is short and works and accepts disc, again, not sure. A call to Cruiser Outfitters or Georg at Valley Hybrids would shed some light.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

So, the long story on this cobbled mess is I bought a 40 disc brake axle sight unseen only to discover it was sprung over and welded spider gears. Blah …. Not what I want for my 45. I happen to have a spare front drum axle from a ‘74 55 in my parts pile with coarse birfields. So, I tore both axles down and used the third and inner axle tube from the 55 with the fine birfields, knuckles and spindles from the SOA 40. Then discovered the knuckles are from a 60. I had to grind the inside of the axle tube to make room for larger birfields. Got all that done, reassembled with rebuild kit from cruiser outfitters and am about 1/2” short of getting snap ring to fit with short Aisin hubs. I dunno. This whole thing has been a pita. Should have just waited for a different disc brake axle to appear.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

I guess one question is what would happen if I reassembled without getting the end snap ring on??? Seems like maybe inner gear on hub might possibly slip outwards (unlikely) and 4wd not work???

 

[cruisermatt]

And you are positive those are short body locking hubs?

 

[pb4ugo]

If you can't use a snap ring then it's common to use a bolt and washer to hold the birf in the lockout.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

And you are positive those are short body locking hubs?

I measured the height to be a tad over 1.75”. It’s really the width of the hub gear though that’s the issue. If the birfield stuck out a bit further or the hub gear we’re narrower, I could slip the snap ring on.

If you can't use a snap ring then it's common to use a bolt and washer to hold the birf in the lockout.

Yes, that’s what I’m expecting to have to do.

Thanks guys for the help!

 

[jim land]

If you can't use a snap ring then it's common to use a bolt and washer to hold the birf in the lockout.

Bolt and washer is common with warn hub and short 79 and later outer axles

With the short aisin hubs it is suppose to work with the snap ring , or something is wrong , like the spindle gasket is too thick

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Bolt and washer is common with warn hub and short 79 and latter outer axles

Interesting. Maybe I have the shorter outer axles???

 

[3_puppies]

Interesting. Maybe I have the shorter outer axles???

all birfs 1979-1990 are the same
the early 1976-1978 are the long birfs

 

[77mustard40]

A short late model outer should be fine with a late model Aisin hub. The Warns are used for the early longer outer axles, thus the washer and bolt solution with the longer warn hub.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

I did put in new brass bushings in the spindles from specter. I bought the bushings for 75-90 spindles.