Improbable Construct's build in LA (Lower Alabama)

[jwagner]

My axles were a bear too, especially the driver's side. Broke a three jaw puller on my first attempt, then used my jack handle as an extension on a breaker bar on a hub puller, and quit when I was pretty certain the puller was about to snap. I ended up taking it to a machine shop and they called to tell me they thought they might break it if they applied enough force to remove it. I told them to go ahead and they managed to return the upright in one piece. Some of these are more stubborn than others.

[ImprobableConstruct]

After three days of heating, soaking, pounding, and hammering the axles are out! I was not getting anywhere so some more searching on the interwebs found a page where someone mentioned they cut off the dust shields and supported the hub in the press. Well I was out of other ideas so I did that. I used the air hammer to loosen the dust shields and tin snips and vice grips to cut and tear them off. Then I was able to do this:



Three pumps after the press made contact and BANG!  The axle moved!!!  I used the press to push the axle to the hub, then an air hammer to get it the rest of the way out.

 Second one went just as easy!  Wheeewww... Glad that is done!

[montgom]

Do you need dust shields? If you do, how do you replace them?

[greg]

[ImprobableConstruct]

Nov 16, 2014 19:04:50 GMT montgom said:

Do you need dust shields? If you do, how do you replace them?

AFIK you don't need the dust shields but they just press on to the uprights if I do need to replace them.

[ImprobableConstruct]

I have been out of town all week. I had to go to Vegas for a class to renew my rigging certifications, rough, I know. Anyway, I am back home and got back to the build. I finally got the lower intake clean (enough) and finally got around to pressing out the bushings. They all came out fairly easily.

I used my HF 20 ton press and a variety of sockets, extensions, and a piece of 1-1/2" pipe.  Took about 2 hours to get them all out.

Between the bushings, axles, and studs the $150 for the HF 20 ton press seems like a hell of a deal.

[kecclest]

Are you an APM millwright, by chance?

[ImprobableConstruct]

Nov 26, 2014 0:57:29 GMT kecclest said:

Are you an APM millwright, by chance?

Nope.  I am a ETCP certified Theatrical Rigger and IATSE stagehand.
I also make random stuff in my garage. 

[greg]

So you're the man behind the curtain? :suspect:

[ImprobableConstruct]

Usually I am the man who hung the curtain, and the lights, and all that other heavy stuff above your head.

[kecclest]

Ooh gotcha. That makes sense, too. Good luck with the build. Looking good so far.

[ImprobableConstruct]

I ordered my tires yesterday from Discount Tire Direct yesterday. I picked up some 205/50-15 Nitto NT-01s with free shipping and $50.00 off for Cyber Monday. On the check out it insisted that I fill out vehicle information, so I put this:



Hopefully somebody there will see it and get a laugh.

[ashneyder]

. I have been eyeing NT-05s on that site. What wheels are you mounting these on?

[ImprobableConstruct]

I plan to put them on Matte Black 15x8 Traklite Holeshot wheels. I ordered some yesterday but today I got an email saying they were back ordered until MARCH!?!? So I am cancelling that order and looking elsewhere.

[ashneyder]

I have been looking at these out of budget concerns www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findWheelDetail.do?bp=4-100&fl=&yr=1999&pc=51788&counter=3&wd=15&rw=7.5&vid=013684. The are fairly light and if you order tires from them as well, everything will come mounted. You will still need spacers for these. But to match my gloss black frame, I still like konig dial-in's the best.