welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
#2737060
01/27/20 01:29 PM
01/27/20 01:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848 Memphis
HemiRick
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OP
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Memphis
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I need to make a small bolt pattern A-body axle into big pattern, I bought a jig to drill the holes....The problem is my current axles have 3 holes in them all ready about where they need to be drilled. Has anyone ever welded up the existing holes? Do you think this could be done safely w/o changing the tempering/strength of the flanges?
Thanks for your thoughts Rick
Last edited by HemiRick; 01/27/20 01:30 PM.
Take care, Rick 68 Coronet R/T 440 & 68 Charger 528 Hemi,and 5 Challengers! 6 cyl, 318, 360, 383, 451
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: HemiRick]
#2737084
01/27/20 02:22 PM
01/27/20 02:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,355 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,355
north of coder
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if it were me, i would purchase a set of axles from Dr. Diff. by the time you get done welding the extra holes shut and drilling the new ones, it's hard to tell what will happen to the flanges. just my opinion. your mileage will vary.
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: moparx]
#2737105
01/27/20 03:16 PM
01/27/20 03:16 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848 Memphis
HemiRick
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Dr. Diff does not sell replacement axles for the the 7 1/4 axle......
Take care, Rick 68 Coronet R/T 440 & 68 Charger 528 Hemi,and 5 Challengers! 6 cyl, 318, 360, 383, 451
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: HemiRick]
#2737120
01/27/20 03:42 PM
01/27/20 03:42 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 701 Northern California
lilcuda
super stock
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super stock
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Northern California
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Dr. Diff does not sell replacement axles for the the 7 1/4 axle...... Just because it is small bolt pattern, does not mean it is a 7 1/4 rear end. 8 3/4's came with small bolt pattern too.
'67 is an abbreviation of 1967 67' is an abbreviation of 67 feet They are not interchangeable.
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: Neil]
#2737156
01/27/20 05:29 PM
01/27/20 05:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848 Memphis
HemiRick
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This is a 7 1`/4 axle, yes the access hole to unbolt the bearing retainer will be welded up along w the other 2 holes and the flange redrilled. The axles will then be chucked in a lathe to make sure its still true and machine the welds flat. I will enlarge one of the old stud holes to make a new bearing retainer access bolt hole.
Last edited by HemiRick; 01/27/20 05:30 PM.
Take care, Rick 68 Coronet R/T 440 & 68 Charger 528 Hemi,and 5 Challengers! 6 cyl, 318, 360, 383, 451
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: HemiRick]
#2737171
01/27/20 06:09 PM
01/27/20 06:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,130 A Red State
SNK-EYZ
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Posts: 10,130
A Red State
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Are the flanges and holes on a 7-1/4 any different than the ones on an 8-3/4?
I had a shop that builds custom rear ends redrilll my small bolt 8-3/4 axles to large bolt and thread them to install 1/2 inch thread in studs. He installed new axle bearings at the same time.
They would install press in (knurled) 7/16th studs (GM I believe) but said the outside diameter of the Mopar 1/2 inch studs was to large but said thread in 1/2 inch studs would be fine.
Kayse can't keep up at all now. lol
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: HemiRick]
#2737174
01/27/20 06:15 PM
01/27/20 06:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 235 Central Mississippi
mopar97
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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Central Mississippi
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This is a 7 1`/4 axle, yes the access hole to unbolt the bearing retainer will be welded up along w the other 2 holes and the flange redrilled. The axles will then be chucked in a lathe to make sure its still true and machine the welds flat. I will enlarge one of the old stud holes to make a new bearing retainer access bolt hole.
This has been done on dirt track cars for years. I know they fall off in the corner and place tremendous loads on the right-side wheels.
Mopar born, Mopar breed, when I die, call me Mopar dead!
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: justinp61]
#2737175
01/27/20 06:16 PM
01/27/20 06:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,752 A collage of whims
topside
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
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A collage of whims
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I'm no metallurgist, so if it was me, I'd ask an axle shop, but I'd bet they'd decline doing it. Other options: Look for a pair of 5x4.5 axles, if there's a B-body or later A-body application. Have axles made (Yukon, etc), though that's like throwing good money after bad. Swap in an 8.75 and (1) be done with it and (2) upgrade. Adapters, if available, though that probably creates a problem with wheelhouse space. Get matching pattern wheels.
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: dvw]
#2737194
01/27/20 06:49 PM
01/27/20 06:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848 Memphis
HemiRick
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Memphis
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Adapters are an inch thick, then the wheels/tires wont fit inside the wheel wells.....no go
Take care, Rick 68 Coronet R/T 440 & 68 Charger 528 Hemi,and 5 Challengers! 6 cyl, 318, 360, 383, 451
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: 500ciDuster]
#2737271
01/27/20 10:07 PM
01/27/20 10:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122 Auburn WA
Dave_J
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Auburn WA
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40 some years ago a shop made a 1/4 inch thick ring that they press fitted over the 7 1/4 hub and then stitch welded it to the hub. They then heated the hub up very warn but not hot and TIG welded the 5 ea 7/16 stud bolt holes up using a copper backer plate behind the weld. Then they redrilled and tapped them for 1/2 inch screw in studs on the LBP. That car had 4.10:1 Suregrip and we ran G60 15's for years.
I also have a set of 1974 Dart Swinger LBP 7 1/4 axles somewhere out in the garage. But not sure its a easy swap. Wheel bearings or splines may be different.
Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994 ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997 Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015
Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.
03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter 65 Formula S Cuda 78 Little Red Express Truck 98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: 500ciDuster]
#2737287
01/27/20 11:09 PM
01/27/20 11:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,171 Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
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Posts: 20,171
Park Forest, IL
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They did do a bearing change so you couldn't just swap over to the bb axles Spacing for the brakes is different too.
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: slantzilla]
#2737314
01/28/20 12:44 AM
01/28/20 12:44 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122 Auburn WA
Dave_J
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Auburn WA
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They did do a bearing change so you couldn't just swap over to the bb axles Spacing for the brakes is different too. The 74 Dart Swinger \6 Auto had LBP and 2.94 SG. I kept the axle for my 65 B-cuda that was LBP (using 68 RR 4 piston front and Ford 9 inch rear). I ran that 7.25 for years but had an issue so I built a 8.25 using a truck's 8 3/8's SG and 3.55 gears. I put the 7.25's rear backing plates and 2.5x10 drums on that 8.25 housing. They fit OK.
Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994 ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997 Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015
Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.
03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter 65 Formula S Cuda 78 Little Red Express Truck 98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
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Re: welding/redrilling rear axle flanges
[Re: Dave_J]
#2737323
01/28/20 02:22 AM
01/28/20 02:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,171 Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
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Posts: 20,171
Park Forest, IL
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The BBP backing plates and axles will swap around all 3 housings. They will not swap onto a SBP 7-1/4 housing. The tube ends and bearing sizes are different.
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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