Front end rebuild

[ccasteel]

Finally getting around to rebuilding the front end. Before I break into it, are there any SST's I will need? And if so, any one have loaners I could borrow?

Haven't done this before, so any tips also appreciated.

 

[weejub]

I noticed some people replace bearings at this time, too, if needed. You would have to buy and have on hand and make the call or wait for them otherwise.

 

[2fpower]

YEs on bearings and yes there is a SST to center the axle in the hub. I believe it resides at Eriks', but is really Erics'.

Rodger, Roger???

 

[ccasteel]

I have 4 small bearings in the white boxes on the fender. Should there be more? I bought the kit from cruiser corps.

Erik(c) can you either confirm out deny?

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

I have the sst. It's not Eric's it actually belongs to chef but resides here. There are a lot of things to do when the front is being rebuilt. I can provide a crash course.not avail till next week. I have manuals and tools I can loan I would start by taking apart and cleaning everything first keep shims where they are. I'd cut backing plate down and use it for a spacer and run flex line to caliper from axle. Bring your birfs with if you want help separating them from the inner shaft. Cleaning is the time consuming part. Backing plate deletes are avail at many vendors. I have pn for hose here. U using marlin seals? What brand of bearing it does make a difference even tho web wheelers will tell u differently. I've probably built at least a dozen front ends over the years

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[tornadoalleycruiser]

Four bearings are correct. Wheel bearings only die when abused I keep a set here just in case. Hub gaskets will be needed depending on what hubs it has on it and inner c clip when splitting birf. Like I said I can provide a crash course. Get it all clean and painted. Rotors are a good thing at this point as well if needed and upgrade to bigger calipers dependent on year of axle. Older roters were pressed on with wheel studs others bolted. Big knuckle or small might want to insure they sent u right shims as well

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[tornadoalleycruiser]

Do u have a fsm it explains the measurement process in detail and how to set preload.

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[ccasteel]

Erik, my anxiety just shot through the roof. I have the FSM. I'll take it home and read it tonight to see how intimidating it will be. After I get a good baseline understanding, you can school me on the suggested improvements. FYI, I suspect my axles, therefore brakes et al, will be the originals. It's a Dec 1977.

 

[trainrech]

Read though the FSM a few times. It isn't a difficult task, but it will take you a few hours to do the first side. The 2nd side will probably take half as long. Pre-load involves a fish scale and what it takes to turn the wheel. I'd suggest making a copy of the pages for your FSM as they will be a greasy mess by the time you get done.

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[ccasteel]

I read through the FSM a couple times. Doesn't look too bad, but they must list 10 different sst's. Even though a crescent wrench is apparently an sst. What I don't have is a press or any special tools for installing bearings or races. Youtube gave me some insight into the use of a fish scale for measuring preload.

My objective here is two fold:
1. Stop the leaking
2. Take out some of the slop in my steering

I really don't want to get too far into the front end, because I know with the time I have available, and the pace at which I work, it will be out of service for far to long. That said, if I'm not going far enough to achieve my objectives, let me know, because I don't want to duplicate my efforts down the road.

 

[R.E.M.]

If you wait a little longer we can have a front axle rebuild party. I plan on rebuilding my 60's this spring and haven't done one before.

 

[ccasteel]

I can hold off a bit. The only issue I have is, from roughly mid April to Mid June, I lose my work space. My friend who owns the building and let's me use it, is moving and will be storing a bunch of stuff in there.

Anyone else up for a rebuild party? I'll host either before the shed fills up, or after it empties out. It would help if we had at least one experienced person there.