Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: George Des on August 13, 2009, 20:02:47

Title: Joe's Rear Axle Replacement tool-
Post by: George Des on August 13, 2009, 20:02:47

In one of your posts, you mentioned you had a tool that you use that facilitates re-attachning the rear axle torsion arms to the cones on the underside of the body. I'm contemplating installing a recently rebuilt 3.92 axle and I've been dreading doing it because of the difficulty I had installing the original axle during my restoration. The arms were most difficult to get back up into place. Would it be possible to put up a photo of the tool you use?

Thx

George Desiderio

Title: Re: Joe's Rear Axle Replacement tool-
Post by: waqas on August 13, 2009, 23:14:49

Hi George,

Joe showed me the tool at PUB this year. These are the pictures I took (sorry they are blurry).

He made the tool out of suitably sized exhaust pipe and made cuts on one end so he could curve them inwards, and the welded a nut in there. He also welded a suitable nut at the other end, made to fit the big bolt for attaching the trailing arm.

It basically is very similar to the tool shown in the BBB.

Title: Re: Joe's Rear Axle Replacement tool-
Post by: ja17 on August 14, 2009, 10:58:46

Helo George,

I will take a pic and post it when I get home this evening.

Title: Re: Joe's Rear Axle Replacement tool-
Post by: DavidBrough on August 14, 2009, 11:59:49

Hi George,

When I changed my rear axle I first tried to fit the trailing arms with the springs in place which proved impossible for me to do so I then fitted both trailing arms without the springs to pull the axle into place and then fitted the springs one side at a time which proved to be straight forward and quite easy to do on my own.

Title: Re: Joe's Rear Axle Replacement tool-
Post by: jeffc280sl on August 14, 2009, 14:10:16

David makes a great suggestion to secure the axle and then install the springs one at a time.  It's likely you will need to move the axle forward 1/2 to 1 inch to center it under the cone.  This can be accomplished with a nylon come along or adjustable strap sold in Home Depot.

Title: Re: Joe's Rear Axle Replacement tool-
Post by: waqas on August 14, 2009, 15:42:27

The pictures are now uploaded in my post below. I had technical difficulties when first uploading them, sorry.

I always find that the arms need some lateral movement to get them aligned. I haven't tried the technique of installing the springs afterwards because I typically don't use a spring compressor when working with the rear (except the compensating spring). Might be worth a try next time.

Title: Re: Joe's Rear Axle Replacement tool-
Post by: George Des on August 14, 2009, 16:34:57

Thanks, guys. This helps. Will give it a try first w/o the springs installed.

George