What am I doing wrong?

[DBasher]

I've installed the 3rd member and slid in the axles on the 9" but when I go to torque the retainer plates, the axles no longer spin freely. This is a Baer/PBR kit that Greg gave me, (thanks dude!) I've got no instructions but it's all pretty basic, or I thought it was. I'm only at 20ftlbs.....what am I missing?

[Build-It-Break-it]

From the picture it looks like the bolts are being over tightened. It looks like they're not straight but pushed outward.

I believe there's shims you can put between the bearing retainer and axle flange to take up some of the slack without over tightening the bolts.

Try a couple of washers between the axle flange and retainer to get an idea of how thick of shims you'll need.

[68Cuda]

Are the axles bottoming out?

[DBasher]

Originally Posted by 68Cuda

Are the axles bottoming out?

That's what I was worried about. I did a bunch of reading and measuring and everything looks ok. I dug through the nuts and bolts that GW gave me, 2 paint mixing cups, and found some grade 8 washers. With one of these behind each bolt I'm able to torque to 55lbs and everything spins freely. Thanks Ahmad!

Now I guess my only other questions are, do I leave the washers or find shims? And do I need a gasket with tapered bearings and the seals?

Dan

[Build-It-Break-it]

I've used just washers before and have had no problems, others might say different.

I'm glad my fix worked for you

[DBasher]

Me too! I had gotten so frustrated at the front of the car that I moved to the back thinking it would be easy cheesy. With this behind me, all I have to do is everything else!


Dan

[GregWeld]

Dan -- Wilwood brake kits are specific for the axle OFFSET on big Ford (Torino) ends...

There's either a 2.36" or a 2.50" axle offset... That is measured from the face flange on the axle housing to the outside axle flange.... You need to find out what that measurement is.


This is the assembly for a 2.50" offset kit....

http://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/Bra...o=140-10329-DR


They don't offer a single piston rear kit for the 2.36" offset.... and if I remember right what I gave you is a single piston caliper setup (basically a C4 Corvette caliper AKA PBR).

[GregWeld]

Here's a picture of where to measure the offset I referred to.



http://www.wilwood.com/Images/BrakeK...iagram-med.jpg

[DBasher]

Thanks Greg. I went out and pulled the passenger side back apart and it is indeed 2.5....so I should be good. I also moved the caliper to the front of the axle instead of the rear position, not sure if it matters but it looks better to me.

I'm learning a bunch doing this and appreciate not only the parts but the help I get on the site.


Dan

[SlowProgress]

I had to trim one of my axles a little bit. I just put some clay on the end and pushed them in to make sure I had clearance. It is super easy to shorten if one is bottomed out.