Thread: 1929 Essex Highboy

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Just a short while ago I told you I had the driveshaft cut and fitted back together! So here is a picture of the end all welded up. Of course I had to buy two universal joints so I could assemble it in place. Then in order to make it concentric I put a block on the floor next to the cut end, then laid a straitedge on the block and pushed up against the shaft. Then I turned the shaft slowly a couple of revolutions. This was with the axle sitting up on jacks mind you! This showed a slight misalignment. So I gave it a whack with a hand maul, then turned it again a couple of revs. Again I tapped it. After two or three tries I got it to turn true with the straightedge. So then I tack welded it on opposite sides, then turned it again. It was still true so I tacked it in two more places. Again I turned the shaft, and still it was true. So then I completely welded the joint. Hoooorrrraaayy! You were right Jim. Piece of Cake! haahaaa Then I made up two driveshaft safety loops, attached them to two pieces of 1 inch square tube and welded these assemblies in place. Then I borrowed a slide hammer puller from a friend and pulled out the old axle bearings and seals. Then with a seating tool, borrowed from same friend, I inserted the new bearings and seals. Then with the brakes all done, put on the new drums and then the wheels. These wheels came on an old S-10 truck I bought, they are American Racing 15 x 7. The tires are old and worn, and I will have to scrounge up some better ones later on, but won't worry about that now. Got plenty of more immediate needs. Actually I jump around a lot. I work at something until I need a part, then jump on to something else. Then when I am able to buy the part, I jump back to that---------- Perley

Here are the new axle bearings and seals and the seating tool I borrowed to put them in with. Slick!

Here is the wheel.