Ford Capri atlas axle rebuild

[jetbox]

Hi,

I have putting this off for years and trying to get hold of another axle but now with the lockdown I am starting to think about removing and rebuilding my axle.

It has got noisier over the years and guess it needs a new set of bearings.

Does anyone have experience of rebuilding these and can offer any tips and tricks on completing this successfully?

I have read up and see the need for pinion preload and setting up and shimming for correct gear mesh. It looks a bit of a faf but looks doable diy.

[normalbloke]

Be aware, it may need more than just bearings, possibly ring and pinion if it’s really noisy. I had a Dana 44 on a Jeep let go years ago. It was fitted with a Detroit Trutrac LSD. The local ‘expert’ gave me two flippant quotes, which made me determined to do it myself, which I did. Slowly and steadily, as with the Danas you need to assesmble and reassemble depending on gear mesh patterns. I’m OK with the spanners, so don’t be put off. All I’d suggest, is make sure you have everything you need before you start as there are a few tools you may need that Halfords prob won’t have on the click and collect aisle! Not sure how your axle is constructed, but I needed an inch/lb rotational torque wrench, and axle spreader( which I made) gear marking ink, plus the shim stacks to name but 3. Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

[Zener]

These generally just need a set of bearings (crown-wheel and pinion are tough) and no additional adjustments IME providing you have the solid pinion pre-load distance piece rather than the collapsible one otherwise you will have to set the bearing pre-load no definites on this be it early or late they chop and change during production , its a user friendly unit to repair and can even be done on the car I even did Capri 2.8i non LSD back in the day this way (my own car) bearings are all the same for Fords of this era using this axle Cortina/Capri etc wearing the Salisbury/Atlas

[jetbox]

Zener, many thanks for the reply. I didn’t think to try doing in while still in the car but might give that a go first. Plan to start this weekend and see how I go.

So do I understand right that it may or may not have the collapsible spacer on the pinion?

Anyway here goes nothing, Saturday I will start the strip down

Edited by jetbox on Friday 17th April 19:25

[Zener]

jetbox said:

Zener, many thanks for the reply. I didn’t think to try doing in while still in the car but might give that a go first. Plan to start this weekend and see how I go.

So do I understand right that it may or may not have the collapsible spacer on the pinion?

Anywhere here goes nothing, Dillon Saturday and I will start the strip down

Yes correct, may also be worth checking the planetary gears pin/shaft too these can wear and bind/seize onto the gears at each end this causes the roll pin to shear off and the pin slides out and punches through the axle case its not much work and worth checking , and yes I've had this happen on a Capri years ago and witnessed similar

[jetbox]

Stripped down the axle at the weekend.

Crown wheel and pinion look in great condition. Left hand diff carrier bearing had some spooling on the outer race so I guess this is where the noise was coming from.

it’s got a collapsible pinion spacer...

New bearings and bits arrived today so will have a go at putting it together at the weekend, I hope it goes back together with the same shims as removed but will see. ( I have a selection of shims just In case)

Wish me luck!

[guitarACE]

Hi from Sweden.

How did the bearing change work out. I'm about to do the same to my axle om my 1981 Taunus/Cortina MK5

[jetbox]

It worked out fine and the axle has been running quiet ever since.

I had to cut the old bearings off with a grinder as my pullers would not move them.

Good luck