Johnny's Dart repairs

[Johnny Dart]

I started to fit up the axle case today. checked I hadn't cut the shafts too long ,with a blob of plasticine on the end, they were good.




Trail fit of re-drilled discs.





Glued on steel cover.





All ready to put under the car, and get the pinion angle right, and the axle centralised under the arches, then tack the spring shoes on , remove , strip and weld up.
That will happen over the winter.





I will need to sort out the brake hoses/ piping , and the hand brake cables , when its all in place under the car.

[Pete]

Very impressive work!!!

[Mossy68]

Been a real interesting axle build JD.
Looking forward to see how it works in the car.

[68Roadrunner]

Nice when a plan comes together, impressive, well done. Richard.

[Johnny Dart]

Been a real interesting axle build JD.
Looking forward to see how it works in the car.

Thanks,
I want to build an engine, overhaul/beef up the 727,fit the axle over the winter.
I've been a bit held up with decorating/building the upstairs of the house.so haven't got on as well as I hoped.
I don't have a load of money to throw at the car , so its all being done as cheaply as I can , but still done well, no corners cut.
I am a bit of a perfectionist.
I am looking forward to it coming together and will take more pictures to post up when I do stuf and things

[Johnny Dart]

Its axle time today

Old weedy open axle out.



New build shortened Dana 44HD with locker , super strong shafts ,discs






All up in position , pinion angle set, spring perches tacked in place.
All got to come out tomorrow to weld the spring perches on, then back in, and put the callipers on , pipe up the brake lines, work out the hand brake linkage, and test.

[Johnny Dart]

Pulled it all back out day, welded the perches on,put it back in with a lick of paint.
Propshaft is too long, so I'm looking for another one to cut down,if any one has a spare one I could buy.

Pipe up the brakes,but I need to buy some rear brake hoses.
I bought some Jeep handbrake cables , that fit the axle end, and I can adapt to fit the Dart end.

[Dave81]

Be interesting to hear the comparison when done.........remind me did you for from 2:76 open to 3:55 SG (or equivalent)?

Exactly what I've got in the wings and would love to hear the difference it's made?

[Johnny Dart]

Be interesting to hear the comparison when done.........remind me did you for from 2:76 open to 3:55 SG (or equivalent)?

Exactly what I've got in the wings and would love to hear the difference it's made?

Dave, the axle I've taken out is an open 2.76, what is now in is a 3.77 , with an automatic locker device. And disc brakes.
So it's locked , like a spool, and unlocks to allow the wheels turning at different speeds, ie,turning a corner.
A sure grip is a slip limiting device , but its never locked up.
And as most of them have had 45 years hard you , usually shagged out.

[latil]

Dana 44 is a Jeep axle? I had an Indian Mahindra with them on it.

[Johnny Dart]

Dana 44 is a Jeep axle? I had an Indian Mahindra with them on it.

Jeep grand Cherokee V8, and Dodge viper both use Dana 44HD axle.
Its a heavy duty light axle (centre casing is aluminium)
It;s easier to get a Jeep one than a Viper one in this country

[latil]

The Indian licensed version is all iron and very heavy with the original brake drum/hub on a keyed taper to the halfshaft as per wartime Jeeps!

[Johnny Dart]

I did a bit more wok today, I fitted up the discs and calipers. Next job pipe up the hydraulics.

[Mossy68]

Looking good

[Johnny Dart]

Piped up the hydraulics, with new pipes this evening.





Sorted out new axle hand brake cables being too short , with Bananarama! solution.