![1963 ford thunderbird rear leaf springs cost 1963 ford thunderbird rear leaf springs cost](https://www.thelastdetail.com/galleria_images/941/941_main_l.jpg)
Once I'm done and have some experience with everything, I'll post the details including axle specs for anyone that might want to go this route. I've read where some let the fluid flow through to lub the bearings but I'm going to go with the kit design and maintain the rear bearings like I do the fronts for now. They'll also add a polished seal area as the kit uses a seal at the end of the axle tube to keep fluid out. I spoke with Dutchman a few days ago and they are going to cut me a pair of axles to my spec with the 19 splines inside and the 27 splines on the outside to match up with the drive flanges that come with the kit I'm buying from Herm. as I learn more and figure this out, I'll post more once I have more info. I'm sure I can find someone here in the area but I always prefer referrals.
![1963 ford thunderbird rear leaf springs cost 1963 ford thunderbird rear leaf springs cost](https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ford-trucks.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/dscn3563_99fe685e5ee97326daeb3298669f4946b3ef6bb2.jpg)
If anyone has a referral to a good machine shop capable of such, let me know. I'll then see if I can find someone here in So Cal that can manufacturer them to spec for a reasonable price. but he's offered to help me by providing spline and seal surface measurements so I can figure out the lengths I would need. so the axle shafts are probably not the right length. now, since my post, I've reached out to Herm and have learned that he does not have kits for the wagon width. So, that has a lot to do with my quest for something stronger. now maybe I had bad replacement axles (I never had them magnafluxed) but I'm sure I had them installed properly to spec, always kept them lubricated properly and tightened, and never drove crazy hard on them. so, the honest truth is that I was never really comfortable with the axles from that point forward. had it crossed the highway and hit an oncoming car, it would have been disastrous. ) but the worst part was the tire/wheel/drum assembly that went flying by me. I was able to coast to a stop without too much trouble (all though the sparks created a fire in the bar pit along the highway. Two of those occurred at slow speeds so no big deal, but 1 of them came apart at highway speed so I lost the wheel with drum while going 65 miles an hour. They served me pretty well for many years, even off-roaded them pretty aggressively with only a few issues, but behind the power of a mild small block and bigger tires, I broke 3 over a couple of years. To Martin's point about keeping the original axles and making sure they're sound (magnaflux), and Greg's points of proper installation and maintenance, for maximum performance, I don't disagree generally, especially behind stock engine configurations and tire/wheel combos. I know I can figure out a swap and make it work, but I always prefer to keep things as original as I can yet meet the needs of how I'd like to use the vehicle. Any time you're replacing something with another design, fabrication comes into play and some folks are better suited (tools and/or skills) to do such. I think Arlen makes some great points regarding swaps. Willys wagons don't, but that would be cool nonetheless. There is a very good reason why real trucks have full floating rear axles. 3/4 ton pickups no longer have full float rears anymore, I guess as a cost cutting measure, and as an exercise of wimping out pickups too. i've never seen this kit but heard about it. Factory full floating rears lube themselves with the diff housing gear oil. Having said that, The full floating axle kit should be awesome as long as there is a way for the bearings to lubricate themselves. FULL DISCLOSURE ALERT I have been guilty of a few boners myself and admit it. The badly done things I have seen over 45 years are incredible. That is important, as there is, in truth, no telling just what a previous so called mechanic did to your baby.
![1963 ford thunderbird rear leaf springs cost 1963 ford thunderbird rear leaf springs cost](https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ford-trucks.com-vbulletin/2000x1124/img_20161030_132907409_57afc2f3192ab287398865de17705ef5933e9b01.jpg)
5.) Again, as Martin said, start with good parts first. 3.) Put your keyway in properly or you WILL split your hub. 2.) Don't be afraid to tighten up your axle hub nuts a lot and use the cotter pin. I agree with Martin The problems with the tapered axle 44 are mostly 1.) Grease your axle bearings regularly or else.