Nick32579 35 #1 Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) Hi, i picked up a 1961 Suburban, i fell in love with them after i went with my father to the show in PA last month for a fun quick project but it keeps fighting me. I can't be the only one who has had this problem. The ring gear and shafts had so much slop in them that the tube where it goes into the bushing is worn down .015 so my question is, do i need to cut them out and turn them down to 1.312 and weld them back in then make or buy bushings to fit? ( Im a mold maker / machinist for a living and can do metal fabricating) if thats the route i have to take. Or are side plates with good tubes or complete transaxle assemblies fairly common to find for decent prices? I'm just looking for another point of view and opinion. Thanks. Edited July 20, 2016 by Nick32579 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,579 #2 Posted July 20, 2016 Welcome to redsquare. I think new bushings would be good enough unless you plan to plow fields with it all day long. But if your a machinst and up for a project I'm sure you could replace the axle tube too and make them brand new again. I have reproduction gaskets for the transmissions if you need any. You can send me a message if you are interested in a set. Jake 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick32579 35 #3 Posted July 20, 2016 Hi, and thank you, ill be needing gaskets in the near future so ill be getting in touch with you on those. I just plan on using it for mowing the yard and will be making a thread on mower parts too in the weeks to come lol. Thats a relief i can just replace the bushings i was worried that they would just get torn up after a use or two. My wife always has me doing projects around the home so it'll be nice not having to do axle tubes haha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick32579 35 #5 Posted July 20, 2016 Hi KC and thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick32579 35 #8 Posted July 20, 2016 Hey guys , thanks! Doing a little morning reading before work lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,730 #9 Posted July 20, 2016 Hello Nick and whats not to love about 400's & 401"s!! I had the same issue but at the advice of these guys here I just took off the high spots with some emery cloth and put in new bushings. Was advised they would seat in the new bushings. Should be ok for light duties, parades, tub pulling and what not with good clean oil. I added a magnetic drain plug on the bottom just because I could. Keep us posted and if you need help there are guys here that are real pros on that tranny. You may want to consider doing @Racinbob's axle flip if need be, works like a charm. Looks like your axles and internals are in good shape. By all means start a thread on the decks as I have a couple on my project list! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,697 #10 Posted July 20, 2016 There's a thread in the transmission section by steveasarus on rebuilding these 3 piece transmissions. Also, here's a link to a cross reference the bearings and bushings. to buy them from Motion Industries. You can get everything except the axle seals from them. toro seems to have these axle seals made in batches, so some times there not available, then 6 months later there available. http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=27668 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,388 #11 Posted July 20, 2016 Not sure what your hub or axle keyways look like, but if there is wear on them you can cut a strait keyway in the axle and use a long strait key instead of the woodruff key. I did this with mine to avoid buying new hubs. The longer key extended past the damaged portion in the hub. This trick can only be done on the hub end of the axle. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #12 Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) Welcome to Red Square The threads with videos and plenty of pictures are in the "Reference Section" "Transmissions" on the Main Page down a bit. Racinbob, Lane Ranger, and I did one titled "So You Want to Save that 3-Piece Tranny" with tons of information. Your Transmission is a #5010, but is about the same as a #5003. There are some threads on these transmissions also. Side plates are available from members here on the site, but the tube is standard stock and can be replaced in the plates you have, by grinding the welds and re-welding. I know a couple of guys that have done that. Depends on how bad yours are. Usually, just putting in new bushings works great,and smoothing the rough edges on the axle tube. Edited July 20, 2016 by stevasaurus 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick32579 35 #13 Posted July 20, 2016 Thanks for the warm welcome guys and I definitely have a lot of reading and research to do! Thanks for all the information! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
