Hi guys,

First, I have a late build (06D) '67 4-4-2, with what I believe to original O-type rear end with anti-spin carrier. There is a heavy enamel like undercoating on the axel tube and I have not been able to find a stamp. Via multiple types of calculations, I believe I have 3.42 gears. From the following pics can someone confirm this is an O-type?


Left/drivers side - I believe I'm seeing the 2 parallel ribs going foward from the top and bottom of the axel housing as shown in the O-type diagram in the CSM.

Rear - 12 bolt cover

Passenger/right side

Now, for my major problem. I had the driver/left side rear wheel bearing go out on Saturday. A very reputable Old's builder told me it will probably need a new axel shaft. I cannot find specific info/specs, like the length, on the axel itself in the CSM? Does anyone know the specific length for this axel and a diagram of how to measue? I have also read that the late build '67's used sealed bearings on the axel, similar to the '68 and '69 axels, and how late is late? Does anyone have any info on this point?
All help will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Chris

 

The 67 O type 12 bolt rear axle used the same axle shaft as the 8.2 B or P axle 10 bolt. Both used the sealed bearing. You shouldn't have a problem locating the axle shaft.

 

66-3X2 442 - Thank you for the rsvp, that's encouraging!

Update to Situation - I pulled the axel this morning. To the untrained eye, the axel and splines showed no obvious signs of wear, scouring or gouges. Hoping it may be reusable? Taking it to a rear-end specialist in the morning to have it evaluated. The inner axel tube also looked pretty good, but harder to see there?

After I pulled the axel, I could easily see the 4 bolt retention plate (pic). It looks to me like a substantial part of the innermost flange on the retention plate actually broke and peeled away. This is what allowed me to pull the axel without removal of the retention plate. I will obviously need a new retention plate too!

 

A key factor will be did the bearing inner race spin on the axle shaft? If it spins, it can wear a groove into the shaft, which is not good. If there's no groove, then a new bearing may be all that's needed. Your shop should be able to determine that.

And I have never seen a retainer fail like that. Dang, you did a job on that didn't you?

 

Yep, I sure did!

 

You said (in another thread) the wheel/hub, etc. was smoking prior to you being able to pull over. I suspect that retainer was a brilliant red hot and suffered metal fatigue e.g. where there's smoke there's fire.

 

Sounds like a plausible theory to me, it certainly was hot. I'm just thanking my lucky stars there was enough of the retainer left to keep the axel from coming completely out on it's own! Really dodged a bullit there!

 

To add to my explanation about the axle shaft. The O type with the sealed bearing was used 66-69 and the B or P type with the sealed bearing was used 66-67. There were 31 spline O type axles used in 67-68 and they had 3.42 & lower gear sets. You might need to check your axle for spline count before you look for an axle if needed.

 

Agree, you did. Things are going to work out fine for you on the rebuild.

 

66-3X2 442 - I have double and triple counted, it's a 28 spline. I have not gotten a response yet from anyone verifying the rear end as an O-type from my pictures. I'm also still looking for a source with specs for the '67 28-spline shaft, specs like length and shaft diameter.

 

I had that happen one night back in college. Pulled out of a parking lot, the rear of the Cutlass dropped, and I saw sparks behind the car. Stopped and got out to look, found the wheel/tire was about 2 1/2 feet outside the wheel well. The axle shaft was trapped due to the angle of the wheel and the axle tube. The shock mount had about an inch ground off the bottom edge. Amazingly, no axle damage, just the retainer had slipped off and let the shaft exit the axle tube.

 

I am adding some pictures of the removed axel shaft with destoyed bearing. If anyone thinks they can identify this specific shaft based on some unusual or unique feature/characteristic it would be very helpful.

 

Chris,
It sure looks like an O-Type to me, but the 100% ID of your rearend is the casting number on the center section.

Review these pictures in 11971four4two's For Sale ad for the location. Post #3 has a good picture of the casting number location.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...2-bolt-157461/

 

Thanks Kenneth. I will check out the thread and then look for them, probably won't be until tomorrow though.

 

It's a Type O axle. There is no question about that. The smooth cover with 12 bolts is unique to that axle.

 

Thanks Joe, much appreciated!