Axle question

[RED68SWB]

Hows it going everyone.

I got a problem with my rear drum brakes. They squeak like crazy. I got a 68 SWB with a 5x5 bolt pattern. When I pulled the wheels and drums off I noticed that the rear axle was about 3/4" longer on both sides than it was supposed to be, leaving my drums too far away from where they are supposed to sit. My pads are only making contact on about 75% of the drum. Its a 5 x 5 bolt pattern, so its not original. Does anyone know when chevy started with the 5x5 bolt pattern? Im just trying to see if any one has any idea what my course of action is. Im thinkin I need to replace the rear axle, or something along those lines.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Wrenchbender Ret]

They went to the 5 hole in 71 at the same time putting on disc brakes. The axles were longer. There are special after market axles for that or you have to change the whole rear end.

[Green Machine]

The 67,68,69 and some 70 rears were narrower, Mid 70-72 got the wider housings, all were still 6 bolt. Looks like someone swapped in some wider 73 up 5 bolt axles to get the 5 bolt pattern. Would have worked just fine if they started with mid 70 to 72 housing. Anyway I don't think you are in big trouble, I am sure I read on this board somewhere that you can find a wider 5 bolt drum that will cure the problem.

[DA68]

Sounds like you have 71 - 72 axles in your 67 - 70 housing.
I was planning on doing the same with my '68 untill I found a complete 72 rearend. I know there is a wider drum that will help offset this issue. Try the search function on the site here.

[RED68SWB]

I found a 12 bolt rear end off of a 68 C10 for $100. Im probably just going to buy a 5X5 axle conversion kit from summit.

Thanks for the replies

[LONGHAIR]

Yup, sounds like long axles in a short housing, but IMHO it is not as easy as running wider drums. The axle itself has a "bearing area" right behind the flange that is were the bearing is supposed to ride. Simply putting the long axle in the short housing moves this bearing area out away from the bearing, plus the fact that the axle was not intended to run with that much "extension" from the bearing.
Personally, I would purchase a set of conversion axles or at bare minimum have a set of six-luggers re-drilled.....of the correct length of course.

[Green Machine]

Now might be the time to consider what else you are going to do brake and wheel wise. Chevy went to a wider rear axle in 71-72 because they went to disks on the front which give a wider track up front. If you put disks up front, then a wider rear would match better, or if you want to put wider rims on the back than front, sometimes the narrower rear is an advantage. Just something to consider.

[jbristo67]

Originally Posted by Green Machine

The 67,68,69 and some 70 rears were narrower, Mid 70-72 got the wider housings, all were still 6 bolt. Looks like someone swapped in some wider 73 up 5 bolt axles to get the 5 bolt pattern. Would have worked just fine if they started with mid 70 to 72 housing. Anyway I don't think you are in big trouble, I am sure I read on this board somewhere that you can find a wider 5 bolt drum that will cure the problem.

71 72 were 5 lug not six on half tons

[jbristo67]

Originally Posted by RED68SWB

I found a 12 bolt rear end off of a 68 C10 for $100. Im probably just going to buy a 5X5 axle conversion kit from summit.

Thanks for the replies

I bought my 5 lug rear for 150. The deals are out there you just have to hunt for them a little bit. There is a guy here locally that has a bunch of 5 lug rears that might not cost to much to grey hound them.

[Green Machine]

Originally Posted by jbristo67

71 72 were 5 lug not six on half tons

My bad - brain fart - that is the reason for using the newer axles to get the 5 bolt ! Engage brain - then type !!!

[westofb]

I am not to sure this would work, but was just wondering if a person could make shims (and of course longer bolts) that would space out the backing plates, thus lining up your brake lining and drums better. Just a thought I had after reading your prob. Hmmm.... 3/4 inch would be one heck of a shim. Just thinking (typing) out loud.

[jbristo67]

Originally Posted by Green Machine

My bad - brain fart - that is the reason for using the newer axles to get the 5 bolt ! Engage brain - then type !!!

LOL I have that problem alot too

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by westofb

I am not to sure this would work, but was just wondering if a person could make shims (and of course longer bolts) that would space out the backing plates, thus lining up your brake lining and drums better. Just a thought I had after reading your prob. Hmmm.... 3/4 inch would be one heck of a shim. Just thinking (typing) out loud.

This does not solve the wheel bearing issue though.....

[Green Machine]

Here is a link to a post that seems to report that the longer axles have room to run the wheel bearing in the "wrong" location, IDK, looks iffy to me. Longhair has a valid point about the bearings and that shaft sticking out too far, regardless of how it is done, putting the longer axles in a short housing, results in more bandaids to fix the problem.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2907045

[jbristo67]

Thats why instead of spending 400 on my 67 rear I put a 72 rear in it instead