It looks like the axle on my Hunter Estate needs sorting out ASAP 
Before I spend time & cash bashing my knuckels and the axle - does anyone know of a RWD Ford axle that's a straight swap?
Background info:
I like the overdrive Hunter gearbox and am hoping to keep that and the prop to make things simple and cheap, so ideally just a bolt-in axle swap.
I'm looking at the possibily of a modern motor (RWD'd 1.7TD
), not planning anything yet but would like to know if there's modern RWD diesel & axle that will update the complete running gear.
Budget for this year has already been spent so am wanting a cheap option (no LSD / GT premiums
), and something that's easy to find please
Questions :
Axle width? Any links to sites so I can check the size of various Ford axles? Any suggestions what I need or what would suit?
Ratios? The Hunter Factory manual says 4.22 for 1500 Estate, 3.89 for iron 1725 with overdrive, 3.70 for alloy 1725 no overdrive - so I'm guessing standard would be (still is??) 4.22 or 3.89 - what Fords would suit it better?
propshaft flange? Will a Ford Axle bolt up to a Hunter prop? (can't justify paying to have work done on the prop )
length of nose on diff? if the Ford diff is different to what's on, the prop will be to long or short
Spring saddles? are Ford rear springs same distance apart as the Hunter? How difficult is it to cut the saddles off a new axle and reweld in the right position?
Last resort - is there a Ford engine / box / prop / axle that would be a bolt-in swap ?
Reasons mine needs work ?
The brakes on one side are shot so either the halfshaft bearing seal is leaking (I changed 1 side a while ago and it was NOT fun) or the brake cylinder has blown a seal. Either way needs parts, time, and new shoes.
Just noticed the clevis linkage on the handbrake is nearly worn through, would be easy to weld up and redrill but if I can swap for a new unit...
It's very low geared (as it's an Estate) with lots of backlash, would like to fit unworn saloon gearing to make it more relaxed at speed.
It's too wide! There's space between the inner arch and the tyre but the outer sidewall scrubs on the wheelarch lip, if I can find an axle 2" narrower, I can go up a few tyre sizes
Any ideas, suggestion, or offers of cheap axles in the North East will be gratefully received
A random axle like what I want
Before I spend time & cash bashing my knuckels and the axle - does anyone know of a RWD Ford axle that's a straight swap?
Background info:
I like the overdrive Hunter gearbox and am hoping to keep that and the prop to make things simple and cheap, so ideally just a bolt-in axle swap.
I'm looking at the possibily of a modern motor (RWD'd 1.7TD
), not planning anything yet but would like to know if there's modern RWD diesel & axle that will update the complete running gear.Budget for this year has already been spent so am wanting a cheap option (no LSD / GT premiums
), and something that's easy to find please Questions :
Axle width? Any links to sites so I can check the size of various Ford axles? Any suggestions what I need or what would suit? Ratios? The Hunter Factory manual says 4.22 for 1500 Estate, 3.89 for iron 1725 with overdrive, 3.70 for alloy 1725 no overdrive - so I'm guessing standard would be (still is??) 4.22 or 3.89 - what Fords would suit it better? propshaft flange? Will a Ford Axle bolt up to a Hunter prop? (can't justify paying to have work done on the prop ) length of nose on diff? if the Ford diff is different to what's on, the prop will be to long or short Spring saddles? are Ford rear springs same distance apart as the Hunter? How difficult is it to cut the saddles off a new axle and reweld in the right position?Last resort - is there a Ford engine / box / prop / axle that would be a bolt-in swap ?
Reasons mine needs work ?
The brakes on one side are shot so either the halfshaft bearing seal is leaking (I changed 1 side a while ago and it was NOT fun) or the brake cylinder has blown a seal. Either way needs parts, time, and new shoes. Just noticed the clevis linkage on the handbrake is nearly worn through, would be easy to weld up and redrill but if I can swap for a new unit... It's very low geared (as it's an Estate) with lots of backlash, would like to fit unworn saloon gearing to make it more relaxed at speed. It's too wide! There's space between the inner arch and the tyre but the outer sidewall scrubs on the wheelarch lip, if I can find an axle 2" narrower, I can go up a few tyre sizes Any ideas, suggestion, or offers of cheap axles in the North East will be gratefully received
A random axle like what I want
. I know a chap who breaks Hunters is asking £60 for the saloon diff he's selling - if I do that I still need to take my car off the road to fix the oil leak on my axle.
