Series 1 Rear axle shafts

[Hamberger]

Will Series 2 fit into an Early Series 1 ? (1951) Somewhere in all my surfing there was mention that prior to 1954 they were different??

[ANDYD]

The Series 1 axle shafts are hard to find and very expensive if you can find them.

The later Series axle shafts (with the correct spline count) are a little longer but can be made to fit but you will need to fabricate or buy a spacer (see photo).

Cheers
Andy

[bsa_m21]

Actually, Series 2/3 rear axle shafts fitted to Series 1 cases, as shown above, are not straight forward.

The 80" semi-floating rear axle shaft looks like:

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To use the series 2/3 axle shafts, in addition to the axle shafts, you need source the axle spindles, hubs, drive flanges and all the other bits from the fully floating S2/3 rear axle.

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The spindles are a straight bolt-on fit to the backing plate and brake set up. However, these axle shafts are 5/8" longer than the 80" ones so you will need to get spacers made and source longer bolts as in Andy's pic.

Or, with a lot more work :bounce: , you can replace both complete axles (front and rear) with Series 2 axles, but the problem is that you have an 80" with narrow rear springs. You will need to replace the 4 frame spring hangers or modify the spring saddles on the later diffs to suit. Either way, its lots of work.

The advantage of the first method is that it is a straight bolt on change, except for the spacers.

M.

[swamijake]

I can make you spacers if you need them.

[Hamberger]

Thanks everybody. Good to know. My Current axles are fine. Just looking to get a spare set of everything....just in case :D
Trying to get a hold of Tony4921 maybe he still has some.

[bsa_m21]

Pretty hard to break a rear axle shaft in an 80", although I have done it :bounce:

However, through the school of experience (I do use my 80" offroad after all), here are a few thing in the 80" axles to be cognizant of:

• You are more likely to break a tooth off one of the ring gears in the diff's, than the axles. Fortunately, all 4.7:1 diff gears are basically the same from 1950-1984, and still available. Get a matched pair of pinion and crown wheel/ring gear. 80" p/n 233199, S2 p/n 504869, etc. You may need to play a bit with spacers, but that's about it.

• The rear hub bearing retaining collar, p/n 07297 (available from some UK providers and the S1 club) - you need to grind off the old one and a 10T press to press on the new one. Get 2

• The bronze bushing holding the Tracta joint outer stub axle/driving shaft, p/n 217354 - if it wears too much you can break the shaft. I made up my own, adapted from stock Princess Auto bronze bearings, on my little 6" metal lathe.

Also, some people change the steering box to a later S2 type. However, steel replacements are available for original the bronze nut and steering shaft screw. Also, if needed you can build up the threads in a worn bronze nut with babbit from old crankshaft/rod bearings. I did this on my 80" a few years ago. Not as good as the steel replacements, but way better than it was.

Regards,