'46 Chevy Shorty - Page 37

Tango · 08-31-2014, 10:47 AM

Thanks Jack --- and Roger working out the sequence of things. Good example are those rear window frames. They were single piece affairs that hosted both the quarter round and the rectangular glass in front of it. My plan included deleting the rectangular glass on both sides with steel inserts welded in place. At the last moment it occurred to me that if I ever had to replace the remaining quarter round glass there would be no way to do it. I wound up having to cut the existing frame then build a support for the delete that is separate from the other part of the frame.

Got lucky on that one. Who know how many similar issues I will discover I missed down the road.

Oh well, as they say in Galaxy Quest...

Onward!

Tango · 08-31-2014, 08:14 PM

DammmitDammitDammmit!!! --- just discovered that the new Dana 80HD axle has a bent lug bolt. Tried fitting the new rim and it slipped right on one side but the other wouldn't go. Measured all the lugs and somewhere, likely in transit, one lug got whacked hard enough to throw it off about three millimeters. And from what I can tell, doing it right and replacing it requires tearing down the freakin' axle. It appears it cannot be put in place without major disassembly.

Therefore...

I plan on trying to heat that sucker and whacking it BACK into position. Wish me luck.

opus · 08-31-2014, 08:18 PM

Heck, if heat dont work, cut the sucker off!

ol trunt · 08-31-2014, 09:32 PM

Hey Tango. Before you go further I'd suggest that you jig up the axle and check it for runout from several points. I rebuilt a Suburban roll over once upon a time and had the same bent lug problem. although the lug was no problem to change out, it turned out that the accident had caused a bent axle flange--which I would have picked up on had I done a runout test. Fortunately, replacing the axle shaft solved the problem. Can you find out from the place (person) you bought the rear end from about its history? Not good news but better to find out now rather than after the bus is all new and shinny and you are in the middle of nowhere on a camping trip. Jack

Tango · 08-31-2014, 10:25 PM

Thanks for the info Jack --- I had it gone over by the top axle shop here in town when I re-geared it. They said it was in great shape (?). That said...the lug bolts were not on the check list and the one problem child is not visibly out of line. I had to mike them to find the culprit. May have happened in transit from the re-builder. He was a bit of a dufus who drug it around pretty hard unloading it.

Let's hope that's all I find. Next stop after picking up a few nuts for it...the torch and a big-ass piece of pipe.

claydbal · 09-01-2014, 04:45 AM

tango, can you loosen the backing plate to get clearance for removal/insertion?

Tango · 09-01-2014, 11:03 AM

Howdy claydbal --- Being totally unfamiliar with this axle other than it's specs & reputation, I plan on going by a Chevy dealer after Labor Day to see if I can find a trick on replacing these puppies. Years ago, I would have assumed there was no way a manufacturer would engineer anything so stupid as to require major disassembly for a minor and vulnerable part...but these days?

And, don't even ask me about changing a frikkin' headlight on a #%&# !Toyota 4-Runner!

I'll let you all know what I learn.

r_w · 09-01-2014, 07:09 PM

The "trick" used to be a lugnut (to protect the threads) a little heat, and a BFH. Not approved but never had a failure as long as the threads were still true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxRng9seYxQ

Or get out the special press tool. Basically an overgrown C clamp with a hole in the backside to press out the stud.

http://www.mile-x.com/otc-4295-Wheel-St ... 7AodU00Aqw

Sometimes parts stores have this in their free tool rental.

Tango · 09-01-2014, 11:13 PM

Roger the lugnuts & BFH --- Problem is still that the lugs are too long to remove without major axle disassembly. Hoping someone at the local Chevy house can provide some kind of shortcut. Otherwise, it's oxy acetylene & a BFH to try and whack it back where it belongs.

Thanks to all for the tips & support.

somewhereinusa · 09-02-2014, 06:55 AM

Is there a place on the backing plate with a big enough open space to bore a hole, or is the axel flange also in the way?

r_w · 09-02-2014, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Roger the lugnuts & BFH --- Problem is still that the lugs are too long to remove without major axle disassembly. Hoping someone at the local Chevy house can provide some kind of shortcut. Otherwise, it's oxy acetylene & a BFH to try and whack it back where it belongs.

Thanks to all for the tips & support.

There should be a spot they will back out, barely. A dimple on the backing plate somewhere.

Tango · 09-02-2014, 09:04 AM

Hey Somewhere --- at first I thought Chevy had been pretty clever as there are openings in the casting directly behind each lug. Turns out they are not nearly deep enough to get one out or in. Headed to a Chevy shop today looking for some lug bolts and hopefully a simple solution. I will pass on what I find.

bansil · 09-02-2014, 10:42 AM

you really don't need all the lug nuts, for wheels on the bus to go 'round and 'round

GreyEagle · 09-02-2014, 01:23 PM

Kinda looks like the old floor shifters ....... back in the day!!!

Tango · 09-02-2014, 03:50 PM

Here's one Ol'Trunt (and any other Old Timers) will appreciate --- Went to one of the oldest and biggest Chevy dealers in Houston this morning to buy a few lug nuts to protect the bolt while I try to "rearrange" it. Back in the day, counter men in the parts business...well, knew their business. Nowadays it just ain't so. These morons couldn't find lug nuts without a freakin' VIN NUMBER! Really? Not only that, their super computers couldn't even find the right truck! Fer Cripes sake...it is a 1998 Chevy c-3500 HD with a Dana 80 dually rear axle and 19.5 "x 6" wheels. What the hell else do you need? There is even a Wiki page all about them but could the factory "experts" tell me anything, sell me a couple of lug nuts??? Nope...still need a VIN number. So much for all that wonderful data retrieval crap that computers were supposed to make possible and so much for being professionals.

And it is just about as bad at wrecking yards these days. You used to be able get answers to almost any auto part related question...now all you get is a blue-screen, deer-in-headlights, blank stare.

opus · 09-02-2014, 03:58 PM

Just like owning a 2 stroke Detroit. Those folks are having a terrible time. All the fixit guys that knew Detroits are slowly fading away.

ol trunt · 09-02-2014, 08:17 PM

Hey Tango, that kind of stuff makes me so mad my eyes cross! It is no wonder we as a nation are on a slippery slope decline what with out sourcing and "specialization" to the point of madness and the "no me job" attitude rampant among our citizenry--stop it Jack, get off the soap box. Does anyone even know what that means anymore? GRRRRRR!

No worries, go with the flow. Scope out a Chevy tonner in a parking lot, copy the vin off the public number on the dash and give that to the good old boys at the parts house--easy peazy. Jack

PS Good Luck

Tango · 09-04-2014, 09:24 AM

Have not tried plugging it into the Chevrolet Super Computer yet, but...the wrecking yard where I got the axle managed to track down what SHOULD be the right VIN on this puppy. Will find out today.

Either way, it doesn't change the fact that GM's (and I guess all other makers these days) information systems suck dog eggs. I did forward a copy of my previous rant to the management of that dealership just to make sure they are aware of this deficit in common sense. Whether they give a damn or not is a whole nuther issue.

opus · 09-04-2014, 09:31 AM

Just wait a minute....you want them to fix the error AND care? Sadly I'm afraid you are living in the past. ;)

GreyEagle · 09-04-2014, 01:13 PM

Maybe this will ease the pain.........
http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/4635276825.html

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