HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jgrh64 · 06-29-2007, 08:20 PM

I've recently invested a ton of money in the old truck and I'm running thin, so I need a cheap fix for the drivers side rear axle shaft. I went to change the brakes and found the rear seal was leaking so I pulled out the shaft and seal and noticed the seal looked almost new so I looked at the shaft and the bearing had worn a grove into it can it be welded and reground cheaply (is it OK to do this ?) or can I get a sleave to slip over it ? any thoughts ?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 06-29-2007, 08:59 PM

I would suggest replacing the axle shaft. The groove will act as a notch and could lead to the axle breaking at that point. Used axles are relatively cheap and you should be able to find a good one as a lot of years will fit.

JIm

Longhorn Man · 06-29-2007, 09:08 PM

actually, it's probably a '70 only piece.

72hotrod · 06-29-2007, 09:17 PM

You can buy a sealed repair bearing that rides further outboard on the shaft, but I had a new one burn up before. And like JimK said, that groove does make the axle weak, but it will probably be OK until your boat comes in. If it leaks on the brakes they wont stop very good, though.Good luck.

jgrh64 · 06-30-2007, 08:20 AM

I ONLY have 198,000 mi on it , it's just getting broken in.

Since this is a 70 only piece and coil springs has any one ever changed to a later model and converted to coils from leaf - is it easy or possible ?

tommie · 06-30-2007, 10:14 AM

are you in cleveland tx or ohio? if your in tx, I have an axle shaft for a 70' 1/2 ton. you ccould come by and pick it up.

jgrh64 · 06-30-2007, 08:23 PM

Cleve OH, found out that advance auto parts can get them for me @ $86. ea. I just have to wait.

Longhorn Man · 06-30-2007, 08:24 PM

did they ask you to remove and measure your shaft? There were 2 different lengths in 70.

jgrh64 · 06-30-2007, 08:27 PM

I"ll make sure to do that before ordering, thanks for that info , mine was built in '69 if that makes any difference

Longhorn Man · 06-30-2007, 08:34 PM

odds are it is the short one then, which, if it is, then it is the common piece 67 - early 70. But I've seen the wider ones used in early trucks... I shoulda checked the plant code in the VIN.

nartkers · 06-30-2007, 08:36 PM

I just took both my axle shafts out. They are 6 bolt and I am converting to 5 bolt. They look good to me. If you cover shipping they are yours.

jgrh64 · 06-30-2007, 08:40 PM

right now I'm about broke and work is between projects -I got a little crazy replacing parts (you know how that goes )but THANKS so much for the offer and all the advice given on this subject

Longhorn Man · 06-30-2007, 11:31 PM

if the 5 lug shafts are thesame as the 6lug ones, then that would be the wide axle... the later axle

06-29-2007, 08:20 PM	#1
jgrh64 Prestige member Old Farts Club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 502	HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft I've recently invested a ton of money in the old truck and I'm running thin, so I need a cheap fix for the drivers side rear axle shaft. I went to change the brakes and found the rear seal was leaking so I pulled out the shaft and seal and noticed the seal looked almost new so I looked at the shaft and the bearing had worn a grove into it can it be welded and reground cheaply (is it OK to do this ?) or can I get a sleave to slip over it ? any thoughts ? __________________ Hey sombodys gotta do it!

06-29-2007, 08:59 PM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft I would suggest replacing the axle shaft. The groove will act as a notch and could lead to the axle breaking at that point. Used axles are relatively cheap and you should be able to find a good one as a lot of years will fit. JIm __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

06-29-2007, 09:08 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft actually, it's probably a '70 only piece.

06-29-2007, 09:17 PM	#4
72hotrod Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Red Chute,LA Posts: 62	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft You can buy a sealed repair bearing that rides further outboard on the shaft, but I had a new one burn up before. And like JimK said, that groove does make the axle weak, but it will probably be OK until your boat comes in. If it leaks on the brakes they wont stop very good, though.Good luck.

06-30-2007, 08:20 AM	#5
jgrh64 Prestige member Old Farts Club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 502	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft I ONLY have 198,000 mi on it , it's just getting broken in. Since this is a 70 only piece and coil springs has any one ever changed to a later model and converted to coils from leaf - is it easy or possible ? __________________ Hey sombodys gotta do it!

06-30-2007, 10:14 AM	#6
tommie 97' Tahoe 2dr/2wd Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Huffman,TX Posts: 1,168	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft are you in cleveland tx or ohio? if your in tx, I have an axle shaft for a 70' 1/2 ton. you ccould come by and pick it up.

06-30-2007, 08:23 PM	#7
jgrh64 Prestige member Old Farts Club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 502	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft Cleve OH, found out that advance auto parts can get them for me @ $86. ea. I just have to wait. __________________ Hey sombodys gotta do it!

06-30-2007, 08:24 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft did they ask you to remove and measure your shaft? There were 2 different lengths in 70.

06-30-2007, 08:27 PM	#9
jgrh64 Prestige member Old Farts Club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 502	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft I"ll make sure to do that before ordering, thanks for that info , mine was built in '69 if that makes any difference __________________ Hey sombodys gotta do it!

06-30-2007, 08:34 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft odds are it is the short one then, which, if it is, then it is the common piece 67 - early 70. But I've seen the wider ones used in early trucks... I shoulda checked the plant code in the VIN.

06-30-2007, 08:36 PM	#11
nartkers Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mid-Michigan Posts: 178	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft I just took both my axle shafts out. They are 6 bolt and I am converting to 5 bolt. They look good to me. If you cover shipping they are yours.

06-30-2007, 08:40 PM	#12
jgrh64 Prestige member Old Farts Club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 502	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft right now I'm about broke and work is between projects -I got a little crazy replacing parts (you know how that goes )but THANKS so much for the offer and all the advice given on this subject __________________ Hey sombodys gotta do it!

06-30-2007, 11:31 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: HELP-1970 1/2 ton rear axle shaft if the 5 lug shafts are thesame as the 6lug ones, then that would be the wide axle... the later axle



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