Okay another nube question. What is the difference between a large hub axle and a small hub axle assemblies? Is there something I can measure to tell what I have? Thanks.
Maybe you're talking about the different size brakes on 09-25 and 26/27 rear axles? In that case you can eyeball if you have the large 11" 26/27 brake drums or the older small 8" drums without measuring. There were other hub size differences very early in production, 09-10 had 5.5" hub flanges while all later wood spoke hubs had 6" flanges.
Can the hub sizes be changed, ie. can a pair 8" hubs be removed and a pair 11" hubs be installed?
You could replace the smaller brake drum on the hub with the larger one but you have to use the same size drum with the size axle housings you have. So yes you can change that part easy enough but it has to match the rear axle backing plates.
So Corey, I take it there is 2 different size backing plates from what you're telling me. Is it possible to change the backing plates or would I be better off watching for the correct size in the first place?
You can't change only the backing plates on the housings from 25 back to the 26-27 style. What rear end do you have? Either way you need the brake drums to match whichever rear axle housings you have.
Corey, my car is a 27. At one time it had a Ruxtell axle as the lever and linkage are still there. However somewhere along the line a previous owner has put in a standard axle, which has the 11" diameter hubs. The reason I'm asking about this is I'm going to look at an axle assembly tomorrow. It's not that I need it, but it's a nice to have at the price situation, but if it has 8" hubs I'm thinking I'll pass on it.
If the price is right and the one you look at has the 8" hubs then you could still use the internal parts, but you never know if they're good without taking it apart.
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Thanks Corey. My thoughts were to rebuild it for the learning experience and have a spare to put on my car so that I can rebuild the one that's on it now which just leaks a bit. Long term thought about changing one of them to a Ruxtell, but I've got lots to do and learn before then. Thanks again for the help and advice.