The axles were removed and stripped down for refurbishment.

Restoration Part 8. Click here to return to the main Dodge lorry restoration page. Part of oldclassiccar.co.uk. Contact page.

July 2007.
During the summer of 2007, much of the time was spent cleaning up the many huge sections of chassis that form the backbone of this old truck. It was also at this time that thoughts turned towards stripping, dismantling and cleaning the front and rear axles. Being heavy items this is no quick and easy task. Both axles had already been removed, allowing them to be checked and overhauled as required. Fortunately the springs seemed to be in good order, so needed little more than a thorough de-rusting, although new bushes would be needed throughout.

	Seen here after their initial de-rusting, all four leaf spring assemblies cleaned up remarkably well given their age. All four on this 3-ton rated Dodge truck are heavy duty, but the rear ones especially are built to carry a decent weight, probably more than this particular example ever carried.
	The front axle was stripped completely in order that it could be checked thoroughly. Some play was found in the kingpins, not surprising really, so a new set that I'd bought some years earlier would be pressed into service before the axle was re-assembled.
	Another view showing the front axle and kingpin arrangement on this 'Job Rated' era of Dodge.
	Each individual item in the suspension and axle department had to be cleaned up, prior to primering. This included the roadsprings, shackles, and U Bolts. New phosphur bronze bushes were made specially by a local engineering firm, and would soon be fitted.
	This photograph shows the hefty rear axle used on this truck. Some versions had a two-speed back end, but this particular example made do with a single speed axle. The differential still shows signs of its initial life, used by the Royal Air Force during WW2 as a crewcoach on a bomber base, 'somewhere in England'. The diff was painted white, and usually had a small light to illuminate it underneath the vehicle, to help following vehicles keep track of this vehicle's position on the road during hours of darkness and blackout, when all vehicle & street lights had to be turned off. Once the axle is clean, this white section will be re-instated.
	And the same axle once stripped of 65+ year old mud and grime. The hubs, which are visible in the background, were later sent away to be shotblasted. Fortunately the diff seems to be in good order so shouldn't require too much attention.
Return to the Dodge lorry restoration page for more info on this rebuild. Previous Page: Part 7 - Making a start on the chassis. Next Page: Part 9 - Stripping the cab back to bare metal.

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