Trying to re-install the rear axle

[DHort]

My daughter and I spent over half an hour trying to line up the U-joint. I have a tool to hold it in place, but just could not get it in the 4th main. I think I need a 3rd person to push from the axle itself, or maybe turn the crank? Anyone have a suggestion on how to make this easier? Thank you.

[Steve Jelf]

Ford used a special wrench, curved to fit between the fourth main and the ball. I've seen it in old factory films, and they make it look easy. Without the special wrench, difficulty varies. Sometimes everything will slide together slicker than snot, and sometimes the job will take forever and drive you nuts.

https://www.modeltford.com/item/352-TOOL.aspx

[Craig Leach]

Did you replace the u/joint with a new one? Some of the new u/joints are a little on the big side & hard to get in the trans output square. I use a Proto 7/8 A&N wrench that is thin with a slight jog in it that works very good.
Craig.

[KBurket]

I use a couple of HF furniture dolly’s so the assembly will pull forward easily.

Then I use a piece of rope to hold up the end of the driveshaft and a heavy gauge wire hook to guide the u-joint into place as I pull on the shaft. I’ve also had a helper slowly push from the differential while I guide the U-joint.

I then use the dollys and blocks to keep the axle at the correct height while reattaching the spring. (Note 2x4 blocks between axle and spring eyes.)

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

A few friends and I just did this on my Touring. One guy underneath to hold the u-joint up, one guy to shove the engine back, and with one rear wheel jacked up, one guy to rotate the wheel to get the u-joint in position. It helps if you can get the square hole in the output shaft to sit with its 4 sides horizontal & vertical. Knowing that it's positioned that way makes it just a bit easier to align the u-joint, (since you can see the u-joint shaft better than you can see the square hole).

Re-reading your original message, I see that you're installing the axle, while I was installing the engine. Not quite the same, is it... Hopefully, some advice will translate and still be helpful.

[DHort]

I will have to add the rope to hold up the end. That should help. I have the hole in the 4th main aligned vertically like a diamond. The tool holding the U-joint is diamond shaped. I need the helper at the differential end to push I think. 2x4's are waiting patiently for when the spring is attached.

Getting a new hip next month, so that issue makes crawling around under the car a little more difficult.

[TWrenn]

As I recall I've done 2 by myself. Get the engine receiver and the axle joint as lined up "squared" the same as much as possible...I had axle on a wide arm set on my floor jack..crawled under car and just pulled it into place. Didn't even use that special tool, don't even own one. When it's the engine being mated to the U joint again I match up their "square" position best I can see, ball cap stuffed with grease helps hold U joint in place, I have the shaft held up in original position with Jack stand. Using a simple coat hanger I get the final mate up of engine to the joint. All but once I did it alone.

[dykker5502]

Been there, done that - I believe we where 3 persons. And am about to do it again soon as my rearend on the fordor needs service.
You are in my thoughts, David

[Tmooreheadf]

I do it myself. I use three jack stands sitting on car dollys as illustrated in previous post. Two under ear axle and one on the drive shaft tube about 12” rearward of the radius rod connecting point by the u joint. That way I can control all of the movement fairly easily. Works pretty good. Getting the line up of the u hoist the the 4th main can be challenging. Good luck!

[Norman Kling]

Rather than trying to turn the drive shaft to align with the U joint, you might have a helper slowly turn the hand crank on the engine.If you can just get it started the rear axle can be pushed forward.
Norm

[Rich P. Bingham]

Did you replace the u/joint with a new one? Some of the new u/joints are a little on the big side & hard to get in the trans output . . .

Thanks for mentioning this, Craig !! VERY IMPORTANT !!

Making a difficult assembly impossible !! Be sure to check how individual parts fit up before assembling anything !!
When I rebuilt my axle/drive shaft, I replaced the two-piece drive shaft ball end with a new reproduction part, and a new repro U-joint. The U-joint was a bit more robust than the original, and the ball housing opening a wee bit smaller than original. The combination required some whittling to make it all fit, though either one would have been okay with the corresponding original part !

I slung the fame from a chain-fall, and found a floor jack with a cross piece handy for positioning the assembly.