How hard is it to remove the outer brake backing plate off a large 25/27 Ruckstell axle housing assembly by drilling out rivets and pressing off and then re fitting a removed small backing plate and riveting back on the Ruckstell tube, the tubes appear to be the same size.
Small drum has no backing plates, they are cast in place. KGB
I,ve never tried to pull one apart but to me they look to be riveted to the tube the same, the big and small.
Chris
Just trade big drum Ruckstell housing for small drum housing. All kinds of guys have one and will trade for the other. Just did that myself.
Bill
Chris, I have a small drum Ruckstell I will trade for a large drum unit. PK
All the parts on the rear end housings are brazed together
This same discussion took place a few months ago...try searching for it.
Chris, I just noticed your location! I think I could buy another T for the shipping cost. There is a past post dealing with just this swap. PK
It easier to change the tube and backing plate assembly in the Ruckstell housing than changing the ends. They press apart easily and are not brazed.
The easiest way to do it is to find a small drum housing (non Ruckstell) cut both tubes, stick an old sleeve inside the tubes to line it up along with a little marking before cutting, angle the ends and wire feed it. No press needed, takes an hour and when you get done all the rivets are intact and it will be straight. I've done several of them this way and did a couple sets of housings for a wide track in order to get a Ruckstell in it and have it look right.
Why not use the large drum rear end. This will give you a real emergency brake that works forward and backward and in rain or shine. You won 't need any Rocky Mountain or other aux brake and your car will still be all Ford.
I used to change backing plates for guys in Denver. I still do a few. I have some pictures of the tools I use if I have not deleted them. I will try to post them.
I forgot my 50 ton press. It will move something or break it.
I forgot my 50 ton press. It will move something or break it.