Bendix Front joint axle overhaul

[Mjp83]

Hi,
I have a 1952 M38, and as I am rebuilding the driver front axle knuckle I realized there was much knuckle grease in my axle tube. I searched several ordinance manuals and see a washer (marked V) on the diagrams. I do not appear to have this washer in my axle tube side.

Also my M38 Bendix axle shaft does not have threads nor a snap ring key at the drive flange end, so how does the joint get indexed and run at the proper spacing? The passenger side received a spicer joint and has the snap ring groove. It seems there are bushings w flanges that keep it fairly tight, maybe 1/8” play? Was this a design upgrade over the CJ2A?

Thanks

[wesk]

First let's establish the actual history of these axles:



Then the end play is maintained per these statements in TM 9-1804B M38 Powertrain, Body & Frame Maintenance Manual:



Note the spicer joint is not illustrated in the M38 ORD 9 (1955), only the Bendix & Rzeppa. The spicer also does not show up in the M38A1 ORD 9 (1956) and first shows up in the Feb 1962 Civilian CJ5, CJ3B IPL serialized to the 1961 models. Neither my 62 or 67 CJ5 parts list show the breakdown of the spicer joint. They only show the assembled joints and list available parts kit for the spicer joint.



If you do not already have this manual, GET ONE QUICK, It is an awesome backup to all three M38 Maintenance manuals.





What I really like about this manual in addition to its much more defined service procedures is it covers the CJ's for 1946 thru 1965.

I posted the majority of the manual here: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album71&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

Front axle chapter here: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album90&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php













This should answer all of your questions and this material is all in my photo album in "Member's Albums" the second album. I suggest you always peruse there before asking questions out here on the board. You will still have questions to ask here but they will be more pointed and informed.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[Mjp83]

Thank you Wes!
You confirmed my suspicion that the axle shaft was indeed redesigned for our axles, and that there is supposed to be a thrust washer between the axle shaft and bronze collar in the axle tube, as I saw this in TM 9-18048B. If I can not locate this, I will just purchase the spicer style axle. Good news, the short passenger axle shaft is a spicer production.

Thank you for posting the red covered manual, I will try to locate one, but did see your additional manuals in your photo album and under downloads.

[Pierre]

Mjp83, I have quite a few NOS brass bushings with flange. Contact me in private if you're interested.

Cheers
_________________
Pierre H.

full restoration in progress
1952 M38 MC60228

[wesk]

There is a price to pay for using the late 60's vintage spicer joint. You must re-adjust your steering stops on the knuckles to match the smaller amount of turn angle now available. Doesn't make a big issue on the highway but when driving tight off road trails you will quickly notice the wider increase in your turning circle!

You can download 11 out of the 21 chapters from my photo album. All the photos I posted above are the mid-sized photos. If you open them in my album and click on the thumbnail once you get the mid sized one and twice you get the full size one.