There's something fishy with this rear axle

[bcfishon]

I've got a rig that Im working on and do not know any history on it and during the test drive the right rear brake will lock up prematurely and there is something grabby going on,its a pulsing rhythmic grab. Also noted a severe shake in the back area of the rig like a wheel is bent or terribly out of balance. Up on jacks and upon inspection it appears someone has converted the rear axle to five from 6 lug and the center hole on the five lug brake drum is too small for the end of the axle flange to go through. They had washers on the right side to compensate for this and nothing on the left. I'm wondering if someone drilled the axles and used what brake drums they had available. Not sure where to go from here so wanted to hear what others might suggest before I dive in,thanks

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by bcfishon

I've got a rig that Im working on and do not know any history on it and during the test drive the right rear brake will lock up prematurely and there is something grabby going on,its a pulsing rhythmic grab. Also noted a severe shake in the back area of the rig like a wheel is bent or terribly out of balance. Up on jacks and upon inspection it appears someone has converted the rear axle to five from 6 lug and the center hole on the five lug brake drum is too small for the end of the axle flange to go through. They had washers on the right side to compensate for this and nothing on the left. I'm wondering if someone drilled the axles and used what brake drums they had available. Not sure where to go from here so wanted to hear what others might suggest before I dive in,thanks

Wow, where to start...What year is the truck and what rear axle housing are we looking at? The washers on one side of the axle flange lead me to wonder if the axle flange is bent? Redrilling axle flanges is an alternative to buying whole new axles "if" it's done correctly, this one was not done correctly.

[kwmech]

Either find a drum that fits correctly, machine the hole in the drum or pull the axle shaft and have the pilot cut down to fit the correct drum. Replace axle shaft with a real 5 lug conversion shaft

[HO455]

Howdy neighbor! I'm pretty sure I have a factory 71-72 used axle and drum in the garage that should fit unless you have the narrower early axle. Let me know I'm in north Portland.

[bcfishon]

Originally Posted by Ironangel

Wow, where to start...What year is the truck and what rear axle housing are we looking at? The washers on one side of the axle flange lead me to wonder if the axle flange is bent? Redrilling axle flanges is an alternative to buying whole new axles "if" it's done correctly, this one was not done correctly.

The housing appears to be 1/2 ton 68,don't think flange is bent

[bcfishon]

Originally Posted by HO455

Howdy neighbor! I'm pretty sure I have a factory 71-72 used axle and drum in the garage that should fit unless you have the narrower early axle. Let me know I'm in north Portland.

455, that is too kind and much appreciated, if nothing more it would be nice to meet you.