Great minds think alike..... And apparently so do all of us. I knocked out the offending two last night, stacked some washers and grabbed my impact. It wouldn't pull them all the way in. Tried a bit of heat on the axle flange and tried again. Still no luck.
Guess ill be pulling the axles and using a press.
Just for grins let me tell ya what started this....
73 Dart Sport blew a head gasket. So, i pulled the heads and I had the heads gone through at a shop. New guides, resurfaced, new seals. Good to go. I couldn't see myself putting those nice clean heads and intake on that greasy engine. I pulled the engine and transmission out, cleaned it all up, put new seals and gaskets in the engine and trans. Repainted it, repolished the alum valve covers, replaced the nasty water pump and alternator and repainted all accessory brackets. Of course new motor mounts too. Well, if you go that far, might as well rebuild the carb and toss on new cap, rotor, plugs and wires too.
But, now there was no way I could put that pretty engine In That filthy engine bay. I spent the better part of a day power washing, scrubbing and degreasing the engine bay. Well, while I was at it, I figured I'd just crawl under it and clean the entire underside of the car. That was fun.
As I looked at the pretty engine and clean engine bay, I figured might as well replace all the front suspension/steering parts while they are easy to get to. So, all new bushings, bearings, seals, tie rod ends, pitman arm, idler arm, and brakes went on.
The steel brake lines just looked put of place though.... Quick call to fine lines got me a new set of steel lines for the front of the car. I put them on and FINALLY put the engine and trans back in. But dang, those trans cooler lines were looking rough. So, of course I made some new ones quick.
This process has taken about 2 weeks so far, of course i have a "day job" so things take awhile. I started it up Friday evening again, sounds great, so far no leaks.
Before I start driving it again, I needed to fix those two stripped lugs. Welllllll, since the brake system is empty still and I'm already taking things apart, new shoes and wheel cylinders are in order along with the new lugs. So now, I'll be pulling the brakes apart, pulling the axles replacing all 10 lugs, cleaning everything and replacing the rear brakes.
But wait.... There's more! Since tomorrow night ill be pulling the axles anyway, I might as well put new bearings and seals in the rear axle too. Guess those U joints could use replacing while I'm at it. If only I had a big bolt pattern A-body 8 3/4" rear I'd just remove the 8 1/4" and put a 3:55 sure grip in.
Anything I missed? Lol
The bad thing about all of this is, I'm supposed to be starting the body work on my 70 Challenger. It's engine has been done for 6 months!
Laine
