How do you swap axles? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

case_bt · 01-02-2003, 03:18 PM

I'm going to do a axle swap 6 to 5 lug I have a 70 chevy and 72 axles but I've never done one before what are the steps?

JHickson6 · 01-02-2003, 03:40 PM

Uh well i hope your swapping the whole axle and not just the axle shafts because they might be different length depending on the year and i can't recall which year they switched over. I have a 71 rear axle in my 67 that is about 1 1/2" wider if i do recall, but it will fit.

1. Get your truck sturdily supported all around
2. Disconnect your rear brake line from the one on that runs down the frame
3. Disconnect you emergency brake cable
4. Disconnect drive shaft via 2 small u-bolt at differential
5. You can attempt to get the nuts off of the axle u-bolts in the trailing arms but thats usually a waste of penetrating lube and skin off you knuckles. Grind em, Torch em Sawzall em! Plus most likely they're 30+ years old and there cheap to buy new ones.
Becareful the axle is now completely free, so if you don't have a jack under it, it might slide off of the trailing arms, and you don't want that to end up in you lap.
6. If you leave the wheels on it you can just roll it away otherwise use the jack or a friend to lift it. They have some good weight to them!!
7. Reverse all the "Disconnect" steps with the new axle, (No cutting!!

)

Hope this helps and have Fun!!

case_bt · 01-02-2003, 04:00 PM

I'm just changing the shafts how hard is that

ChevLoRay · 01-02-2003, 04:02 PM

After you pull the cover, drain the oil and remove the C-clip, you are on your way to pulling the axles. You still gotta remove the wheels and brake drums, tho.

Everything I have read on this board, says that 70-73 rear ends are the same width. I know that 65-69 are the same width, too. So, sounds like you're in luck. Bear in mind, that the '73 is a leaf-spring unit, which doesn't matter if you're just swapping axle shafts.

Looks like someone would manufacture a spacer to let the longer 5-lug (71-71) axles be installed into the 65-69 axle housings. I'm betting someone has done just that and would be willing to share the dimensions.

JHickson6 · 01-02-2003, 06:10 PM

thanks ChevoRay for the shaft length differentions!

71BBK10 · 01-02-2003, 06:43 PM

it ain't too hard heres a previous post on what you'll need to do to get the axles out. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=23462 good luck

01-02-2003, 03:18 PM	#1
case_bt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: willis tx Posts: 374	How do you swap axles? I'm going to do a axle swap 6 to 5 lug I have a 70 chevy and 72 axles but I've never done one before what are the steps?

01-02-2003, 03:40 PM	#2
JHickson6 I Love This Stuff! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 739	Uh well i hope your swapping the whole axle and not just the axle shafts because they might be different length depending on the year and i can't recall which year they switched over. I have a 71 rear axle in my 67 that is about 1 1/2" wider if i do recall, but it will fit. 1. Get your truck sturdily supported all around 2. Disconnect your rear brake line from the one on that runs down the frame 3. Disconnect you emergency brake cable 4. Disconnect drive shaft via 2 small u-bolt at differential 5. You can attempt to get the nuts off of the axle u-bolts in the trailing arms but thats usually a waste of penetrating lube and skin off you knuckles. Grind em, Torch em Sawzall em! Plus most likely they're 30+ years old and there cheap to buy new ones. Becareful the axle is now completely free, so if you don't have a jack under it, it might slide off of the trailing arms, and you don't want that to end up in you lap. 6. If you leave the wheels on it you can just roll it away otherwise use the jack or a friend to lift it. They have some good weight to them!! 7. Reverse all the "Disconnect" steps with the new axle, (No cutting!!) Hope this helps and have Fun!! __________________ My Rides 1967 C10 In Pieces for now 1985 Ford B700 SourPuss Bus - BIG BLUE 2003 Silverado CITY WORKER YELLOW!!

01-02-2003, 04:02 PM	#4
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	After you pull the cover, drain the oil and remove the C-clip, you are on your way to pulling the axles. You still gotta remove the wheels and brake drums, tho. Everything I have read on this board, says that 70-73 rear ends are the same width. I know that 65-69 are the same width, too. So, sounds like you're in luck. Bear in mind, that the '73 is a leaf-spring unit, which doesn't matter if you're just swapping axle shafts. Looks like someone would manufacture a spacer to let the longer 5-lug (71-71) axles be installed into the 65-69 axle housings. I'm betting someone has done just that and would be willing to share the dimensions. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-02-2003, 06:10 PM	#5
JHickson6 I Love This Stuff! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 739	thanks ChevoRay for the shaft length differentions! __________________ My Rides 1967 C10 In Pieces for now 1985 Ford B700 SourPuss Bus - BIG BLUE 2003 Silverado CITY WORKER YELLOW!!

01-02-2003, 06:43 PM	#6
71BBK10 Teufelhunden Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Camp Pendelton Ca Posts: 572	it ain't too hard heres a previous post on what you'll need to do to get the axles out. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=23462 good luck __________________ 1971 K10 lwb fleetside 402 T350 205

01-02-2003, 04:00 PM	#3
case_bt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: willis tx Posts: 374	I'm just changing the shafts how hard is that



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.