Refurbing rear axle - hints and tips appreciated

[timedwards]

It's taken longer than I thought to get to this point but as you can see by the pic my rear axle is finally off the car. I followed Steve's step by step advice and was able to do it by myself so well pleased.

I decided to go the whole hog and remove the complete axle, wire brush it down and paint it up with POR15 because I had already taken the A-frame, springs and dampers off. It gives me the chance to make a proper job of it.

I will obviously be wearing a respirator and using eye protection but are there any do's and dont's that I need to be aware of regarding what to disassemble or not as I don't want to create problems for myself.

IMG_5298forum.jpg (41.95KiB)Viewed 4439 times

Cheers Tim

[Popsjag]

I am no expert but like to think that I can hopefully pass on what I've learnt, to keep these fine cars on the road.

With regards to the axle (in my opinion) by all means clean it up/paint it but I wouldn't start undoing bolts etc, unless you absolutely need to.

One thing I would do though (before refitting):
Change and refill the diff oil - it's a pig of a job to do in situ!

[timedwards]

Cheers Steve

I will follow your advice re the nuts and bolts and also the fluid change since bolts are stuck tight and there's little room for getting leverage when on the car. I have the day off tomorrow to get the wire brushes out but I have a feeling it will take a little longer than that so I will post a pic up of the finished product if it looks half decent.

[timedwards]

In the end it painted up better than I expected It's definitely got a rustic appeal when viewed close up but looks a lot better than before and hopefully it will be protected better now from the elements. Just need to re-assemble the handbrake shoes I took off the one side and then get the whole thing back on again.

[robv12]

looking good, a job well done I reckon. Not a light bit of kit though are they!!, I gave up pulling them out a few years ago as the hernias stated to complain bit too much!!

[Popsjag]

Very nice job Tim.

Now don't forget to do your diff oil change before you refit it!!

[timedwards]

Thanks very much for the encouragement guys. I found out how heavy it was when I needed to turn it on the trolley to paint! Not easy at all and it's still got to go back on again. Quite right not before the oil change though so I need to get out and buy that and also 'rust proof' where it came out from now I can get to that part of the underside properly.

Coming along slowly but surely.

Thanks again

[timedwards]

Diff oil duly replaced

Springs refurbished and ready to be put back with replacement dampers.

Not to forget why I started all this - the reconditioned A-frame/crossmember with new bushes.

[PeterDavisX300]

I'm assembling all parts to do just this exact job. I'm 'worried' about it. I'm a good Engineer, and used to spanner work, I'll have a 'scissor-ramp' by the time I do the job outside my house, but still not looking forward to it. I've got most of the bits to do a 'One-out, One-in' job. Still daunting! Then the Front needs to be done!

[timedwards]

Good luck with the work Peter, I am sure it will go smoothly and you are much better prepped and ready than I was. It's not as bad as it looks but a big job and it's very heavy when off the car to maul around so watch your back like Mike says in the thread below.

viewtopic.php?f=139&t=9604

One in-one out sounds like a good idea to me! The thread shows how clueless I was so it was a good job Steve emailed me the step by step guide. I also bought this book which I found useful. I doubt if you will need it though but it was a good starting point for me with no background. ('Jaguar World Monthly on Jaguar X300/X308 a complete practical guide'). I think I bought it from Amazon or ebay perhaps. O.K so it is nothing like a complete practical guide for stuff like this but then who in their right mind would be doing this at home?

The other thread on the front end may be of interest too then if doing the job outside.

viewtopic.php?f=139&t=10492

I am trying to tidy some of my threads up so they make a bit of sense and may be of use to some other mad fools. Not convinced I do things in the best way though really, a bit like trial and error but it's good to see what others are doing.

Oh yes and don't make the same mistake I did when changing the big bushes

viewtopic.php?f=139&t=11833

keep safe
Tim