Cleaning donor rear axle housing

[OttawaFFRer]

My donor parts prep has slowed to a crawl since my wife decided she was buying a bigger house this month, I sold the present one on Friday having been on the market for just 3 days.

This afternoon I thought I might sneak into the garage and do something...anything...

I started cleaning the rear axle housing to prepare it for paint, I was using a wire brush and a plastic 'scrubber' both attached to a drill. It seemed to do an okay job.

What would you advise I try using?

Cheers,
Vic

[DARKPT]

We used the wire brush on two drills to get the job done. Just remember to get some primer on that shiny metal so it doesn't start rusting. Ours turned out real nice!

[Ray]

After spending a lot of time and effort with wire wheels, brushes and de-greasing chemicals, I just had it sand blasted for about $25.00 (but that was in 2002.)

Ray

[Ian G]

I used a "flapper wheel" on a 4.5" electric angle grinder, followed by various wire brushes on a drill. Be sure to use safety goggles & dust mask.

[refteck]

If your looking for someone local for sand blasting, check out Majestic Auto Restorers in Kars. They are very cheap if your not in a hurry. When they have a few items they will blast and paint all at once. I had a recycling bin full of sled parts blasted and painted for $30.

Jamie

[FFinisher]

If your looking for someone local for sand blasting, check out Majestic Auto Restorers in Kars. They are very cheap if your not in a hurry. When they have a few items they will blast and paint all at once. I had a recycling bin full of sled parts blasted and painted for $30.

Jamie

I too receommend Sandblasting, I ahd the rear axle spindles and exhaust manifolds sandblasted for $80. Worth every penny.! Wipe it down, and paint it and it is better than new. Since they never painted them

[OttawaFFRer]

Thanks gents, spending a little on sandblastic sounds good, and I'm not far from majestic.

Cheers,
Victor

[dv/dt]

Just make sure you clean it out very, very well afterwards. Also, you're going with the 3-link so, if you want to clean it up a bit, you can remove the quad shock brackets. Some also remove the upper control are mounting ears but I would leave the passenger side one on in case you want to go with the VPM banana brace (designed by yours truely :cool:). I left the upper mounts on but did remove the quad shock brackets.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/dvdt/Suspension/AxleBlue1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/dvdt/Suspension/AxleBlue3.jpg

Cheers, Rod

[Scott Shumaker]

I used an air powered needle scaler to clean mine. Took about 1 hour to do, and it was almost as good as sandblasting, without all the mess and cleaning needed after

[PaulW]

All that sounds good. Don't do what I did. I went with POR-15 and spent probably 8 hours tap-tapping with a scaling hammer to get the worse of the rust off and then had to do the 4 coats of POR (2 base coat and 2 top coats) which probably took another 8 hours in total. The rear end is nice and black and will probably never show another rust spot but I was still left with a piece that was bumpy and warty looking. The good news was that it is under the car, will look good and is FINISHED. Having said that I used POR 15 on all spindles, calipers and the footbox and they look fantastic. Well at least it has been a good way to spend the cold winter hours and pass time til I drive to FFR in April and pick up the kit (oops "Starter Car" )

[OttawaFFRer]

Rod,
that looks great. I hope mine turns out as nice.

I picked myself up a lincoln 180 so I'll likely weld my brackets...its been 20 years since I attempted welding though. I'll be moving into my new home at the end of the month and will wire it for some practice right after I insulate and drywall the garage.

Learned something new today, to remove the quad shock brackets. Is this stuff in the manual or do you pick it up on the fly?

And ahhh...in case you haven't heard me begging enough yet...I'd really appreciate a garage visit from one of the Ottawa locals. I just need 10 minutes in, under and around a car to get a better feel for it.

Paul, it looks like we're both driving down in April for pickup, I'm the 16th.

Cheers!
Vic

[Olli]

After sandblasting and a bit of smoothing...

Olli

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/ollijo/33Rearendpaint013-1.jpg

[OttawaFFRer]

Olli,
very nice.

[Richard Oben]

Power washer works good, then POR 15. HTH, Richard.

[PaulW]

Rod,
that looks great. I hope mine turns out as nice.

I picked myself up a lincoln 180 so I'll likely weld my brackets...its been 20 years since I attempted welding though. I'll be moving into my new home at the end of the month and will wire it for some practice right after I insulate and drywall the garage.

Learned something new today, to remove the quad shock brackets. Is this stuff in the manual or do you pick it up on the fly?

And ahhh...in case you haven't heard me begging enough yet...I'd really appreciate a garage visit from one of the Ottawa locals. I just need 10 minutes in, under and around a car to get a better feel for it.

Paul, it looks like we're both driving down in April for pickup, I'm the 16th.

Cheers!
Vic

Vic,

I will either be the 16th or Monday the 18th all I am waiting for is the Transport Canada approval and for the temps to warm up a little. Starting to get a little antsy as I have done most of what I can do so far. As soon as the rear-end gets back from the change to 3:55 gears I am going to mount up the rear disc conversion and new axles I got from Richard at North race Cars. Next week I am driving to Massena to pick up the FFR wheels plus all the new rotors, calipers, hubs, etc. that I ordered from Rock Auto. But after that it is waiting time.

[OttawaFFRer]

We may very well be picking up at the same time, but you are way in head of me for parts prep and upgrades.

I have my rims already though, delivered a month ago.

[F5RSN8K]

Took it all apart and sand blasted it. Then POR15

[efnfast]

I just used marine clean on mine and POR-15'd it.

[MtnWanderer]

Olli,

Sweet ... what is the finish that you applied?

Thanks .... mike

[Scalded-Dog]

Degreased and POR-15 ..... looks great after almost 4 years

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m83/russbyrd/rear001.jpg

[OttawaFFRer]

Spent an hour with the air needler and a wire wheel and got to this, since time is money I'm sure sandblasting would have been a better option but an hour spent in the garage thinking about my build is an hour of heaven. :)

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx175/ottrunner/P1120091.jpg

[AC Bill]

A rougher surface is actually better, if applying POR-15 to it, then a shiny smooth surface. Believe me it is not a visible item, as these cars sit so low down. I wouldn't even bother with a fancy aftermarket cover plate for that exact same reason.

Unless you plan to "show" it, jacked up over a mirror..it will be fine as you have done it.:)

[OttawaFFRer]

I was going to put a coat of rust killer paint from Canadiantire on it then prime and paint...thinking along the lines of what Rod did, see above.

Next-->I track down 5 lug rear axles.

[PaulW]

I was going to put a coat of rust killer paint from Canadiantire on it then prime and paint...thinking along the lines of what Rod did, see above.

Next-->I track down 5 lug rear axles.

Vic,

I got my 5-lugs from Richard Oben at North Race Cars. In fact I went whole hog and got the complete full disc brake conversion. Take a look at his site and you will see that he has many many options from just the axles all the way up to the complete kit. Shipping was 450 to Massena NY.

As far as the donor goes i think in reality it really ended being just practice in working around a car again. The last part now not being used is the engine as I have decided to go with one from Fortin's in Chilliwack BC sourced through Western Canada Cobras.