Axle and Hub

[msgove]

I have a 1944 2N on which I"ve pulled both axles, replaced the exterior and interior oil seals, the Sure Seals, the automotive studs in the bearing housing, the brake pads and hardware, and have cleaned, sanded, and repainted everything from the axle housing to the hubs and rear discs.

Now, with the brake backing plates installed, I"ve attempted to put both axles and hubs back in place, but am unable to get the axles (with backing plates in place) far enough into the axle housing for the studs to come through the holes on the axle housing (I can get them about 1/2 through, but no further, and have been banging on it with a mallet for the better part of two hours).

If I could just get one or two studs through enough to put a nut on them, I figure the rest will get pulled through, but I cannot figure out why the hubs will not slide into place. I have tried to spin the hub and axles so they fit into the differential better -- this helped, but only enough for me to get where I am (with no studs getting through the holes in the axle housing).

I haven"t found any other tips in the Service Manual, the FO-4, or on the forum. Am I just missing something simple to get the hubs all the way on?

 

[Charner]

Have you loosened the shoe so it is free to slid into the hub? I had a similar problem recently. I put a binder strap around the finder and hub and would bang a little and tighten the strap a little. Like you said, once the stud came through and I got a couple of nuts on them it tighten into place. Good luck.

 

[David_V]

I had a similar problem. This is just one of those things you have to fiddle with, get really frustrated, walk away, come back and the damn thing will slide right in.

 

[msgove]

Charner: I don't have any problems with the brake shoes -- the backing plate slides onto the hub easily. It sounds like I need to just keep banging away at it.

I'm prettty sure I replaced the studs with the same size, but would there be any downside to replacing them with longer ones (going from 2.5" to 3") to get them through the axle housing?