1939 Ford, Won't move.

[Steve-V]

I was driving my '39 today, mild weather.. great day.  But not for the Ford. 

 

Car all of a sudden went out of gear. The clutch & trans seem to be engaging. The speedo moves when i start it up and put it in gear, but doesn't move. I'm putting it on the lift a little later today. I'm thinking something with the rear end or drivetrain... 

 

I can start the car with my foot off the clutch and in gear, but doesn't move one bit.

 

Any thoughts?

[Grimy]

Most likely a broken axle shaft, although a broken u-joint is possible.  Since the speedo needle moves, the clutch is engaged and the trans gears are turning.

[Steve-V]

Thanks Grimy.  Well I pulled the rear drums and seems it was a drivers side keyway issue.   Cut some hard steel to fit and rolling again!

 

 

Edited March 9, 2016 by Steve-V (see edit history)

[19tom40]

I would think about replacing the axle and hub. The photo shows an axle so worn that the hub will never seat on it, putting extra stress on the key and the axle. The real driving forces should be absorbed by the close fit of the axle and hub's taper.

 

I would also examine the passenger side axle. The condition that you show is usually caused by not tightening the axle nut enough, allowing movement between the hub and axle.Ford specified 200-220 ft lbs torque and then tighten to the next alignment of the slot and cotter key hole. They also recommended that the axle and hub be clean and free of any lube. Some people use valve grinding compound to lap the axle to the hub, then cleaning every thing before assembly.

 

Check this site for more information

 

http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/reartorq.htm

Edited March 10, 2016 by 19tom40 (see edit history)

[Matt Harwood]

Yikes! I don't think I'd be doing any driving on that axle until I got a replacement. They're out there and while the job is a pain, that thing has definitely seen its best days already. Why take a chance?

[Steve-V]

Thanks Matt, It's a new car for me and I'm expecting anything.

 

I'm sourcing the parts needed, any suggestions would be appreciated.  

 

Axle looks pretty eaten up, huh!  A pain is right.  Happy it's not the universal or drive shaft, as Grimy stated.  Before i pulled the drums I looked through the top bolt in the rear and saw it was moving.  I thought, "shew".  Pulled the drums and there she be.

[Steve-V]

I would think about replacing the axle and hub. The photo shows an axle so worn that the hub will never seat on it, putting extra stress on the key and the axle. The real driving forces should be absorbed by the close fit of the axle and hub's taper.

 

I would also examine the passenger side axle. The condition that you show is usually caused by not tightening the axle nut enough, allowing movement between the hub and axle.Ford specified 200-220 ft lbs torque and then tighten to the next alignment of the slot and cotter key hole. They also recommended that the axle and hub be clean and free of any lube. Some people use valve grinding compound to lap the axle to the hub, then cleaning every thing before assembly.

 

Check this site for more information

 

http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/reartorq.htm

 

 

Great Info Thanks Tom

[19tom40]

You are welcome and I really would not drive a car with an axle that looks like that, iy could break and cause serious damage to the car or cause an accident.

[Steve-V]

Heard that, Not driving her before I do the axles.  Sourcing now, any recommendations are appreciated.

 

 

You are welcome and I really would not drive a car with an axle that looks like that, iy could break and cause serious damage to the car or cause an accident.

[Steve-V]

[motoringicons]

Chances are if that axle is as bad as it looks, there are other issues lurking within. As bulletproof as the Ford rear axle is, they can wear out. Fortunately any parts you need are readily available and disassembly, repair or replace, and  reassembly is very straight forward on these.

For parts, try:

http://www.joblotauto.com/

 

and:

 

http://yesteryearfordparts.com/

 

Both of these companies have the usual supply of reproduction parts you will need-and both have a stock NOS original parts as well. Yesteryear has a good supply of nice, used parts and will talk you through problems on the phone. Tell Dave that Guy Z. sent ya!

Edited March 12, 2016 by motoringicons (see edit history)

[19tom40]

That is a very nice 39 Standard. I hope that you get it back on the road soon.

 

I believe that Joblot is out of business and most of their stock of parts has been bought by other vendors. James was the main parts guy and he is now at another obsolete Ford parts house.

 

Gotham Autoparts, LLC
8609 Santiago Street, Holliswood, NY 11423
Tel# 718-878-3699
email sales@gothamautoparts.com
Gotham is Jame's new company! Specializing in Hard to Find & Vintage Auto Part

 

Little Dearborn still lists a lot of parts for the rear end

 

http://www.littledearborn.com/

 

You might try posting an ad in the Parts wanted area of this site, or in the classified section of the Early Ford V-8 Club web site. Complete rear ends do show up on E-Bay and I would check with Lowell Kimble 402-649-1116 and Mike Dennis at Nebraska Ford Parts 402-489-3036 and Paul Rutkowski 859-661-1932 American Parts for used parts.

 

While you have the rear end apart, you probably should have the axle housings sleeved. Check the underside of the housing for signs of wear or pitting. If there are signs, the housings should be sleeved o prevent axle failure in the future. The best source for the sleeves is http://www.columbiatwospeedparts.com/Pages/default.aspx

Edited March 12, 2016 by 19tom40 (see edit history)