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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: dholvrsn on January 02, 2007, 10:41:49 PM

Title: axle swap hassles
Post by: dholvrsn on January 02, 2007, 10:41:49 PM
I am trying to install a small bearing Maverick 8" axle under my wagon. The flanges have been re-drilled for the Pinto bolt pattern. The original drums no longer fit. The Pinto drums are too wide. The Pinto backing plate from a 6.75" rear doesn't fit, and even if I elongated the holes to make it fit, the studs would hit the brake cylinder. What to do now? Would getting 8" Pinto/MII backing plates fix my problem?  :what:
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: fast34 on January 03, 2007, 12:53:43 PM
8 inch uses the same backings as the 6.75.  Can you redrill the Maverick drums??
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: 77turbopinto on January 03, 2007, 01:40:53 PM
The MOST CRITICAL thing to look at is the center hole of the drum. If that is a different size from the axle, you can't use it. That hole lines up/centers the drum on the axle. My Maverick 5 lugs all have the 2.75" ones, and the Pinto ones are much smaller.

Bill
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: Pintony on January 03, 2007, 01:55:50 PM
Hello Doug,
You are breaking new ground...
Going where no one that I know of has gone in terms of rear axel swaps.
Be sure to take good notes so that otheres may follow.

Just so i'm on the right track???
You are trying to convert a Maverick rear axel housing to Pinto 4-lug or ford 5-lug???
From Pintony
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: dholvrsn on January 03, 2007, 09:14:17 PM
It's a Maverick axle that's been converted from a four lug Mav pattern to a four lug Pinto pattern. The Mav hub centers are the same size as Pinto's. Will probably re-drill those drums on my next days off. Unless some other solution comes up that lets me retain the coooooo-el finned Pinto brake drums.

Otherwise, I'm hosed on the Merkur XR4Ti donor. The engine block and turbo are now officially confirmed as bad.

At least I got a R/C Pinto as a belated Christmas present. It's pretty cool.
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: dholvrsn on January 08, 2007, 11:22:56 AM
I'm going to be getting back to this project tomorrow. So what's the proper torgue for the U-bolts and and shackle bolts?
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: dholvrsn on January 09, 2007, 07:59:02 PM
I have the axles sitting on the springs and snugged down. Boy, it was a pain to get every thing back together and aligned! Now I'm ready to tighten it down and would love to know the torque specs for the U-bolts and the shackles, please! Thanks!
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: dholvrsn on January 23, 2007, 08:48:52 PM
Well, this job is three, going on four, times the pain that I thought it would be and it's taking three, going on four, times longer than I thought it would.... >:(

Stripped one of the U-bolts after being given the wrond torque specs. I was told 75 lbs, when it's supposed be be only 40. Also warped one of the hanger plates. Will take the plate off and straighten it and put everything back together when I get the new U-bolts.
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: dholvrsn on January 24, 2007, 08:18:59 PM
Just got back from a 650 mile round trip to get another turbo 2.3 to replace the first one that I got gypped on.

I'm seriously starting to doubt if I really like Pintos that much....

At least the "Farmer's Cadillac" ran like a champ. I got to see some quirky small town old buildings and some scenic windmill farms on the way.

Tomorrow, I go to the National Astronomical Prices Association and order new U-bolts....
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: Farmboy on January 24, 2007, 09:05:41 PM
  On the u bolts, if you have a place that make or sells leaf springs in your area just take a old one there and they should make you a new set on the spot and it aint that expensive'
  Good luck,
Doug
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: Srt on January 25, 2007, 02:31:59 AM
that's what i did years ago. don't know how common those kinds of places are though
Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: dholvrsn on February 02, 2007, 12:58:56 PM
I've gotten everything all but buttoned down again. So what is the proper procedure for tightening the U-bolts down? I've got an equal amount of threads coming out for and aft, but one of each side is at 40 lbs and and the others aren't even close.

Anyway, more pictures of this almost never ending project/torment. The old 6-3/4 axle coming out. The replacement 8" axle painted to go in.

Title: Re: axle swap hassles
Post by: dholvrsn on February 02, 2007, 01:04:31 PM
The 8" axle sitting in the Pinto. All those redrilled holes almost makes this look like the 3/4 ton Pinto.

BTW, you can buy U-bolts at NAPA for $5-6 each.

The old axle should be posted on eBay this Sunday. It has 3.08 gears.