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Suggestions to clean it all!

71SandbugCharger

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Finally got it all apart and off (brakes next).

How should I clean all these pieces?

Springs: blast clean. Right?
Axle? Inside/outside
Differential? I’m going to rebuild it)
Brake line (has fluid in it still!)?
All the shackles and bolts are in the rust remover bin.

B2C48FE7-52AB-4CAA-A9FF-79B0EE5DD2E9.jpeg
 
Brake lines: if age of lines & fluid are unknown or original, just replace them, not worth risking you, family & the 71 for few bucks; replaced mine with kit of metal lines (oe or stainless, your choice) and installed easily; rubber lines next. Ordered from MI & came within a few days, fit just fine.
 
You will also find where the fusion welds are inside the housing are very sharp. I grind them smooth. If you blast do it while the axles/center section/housing are still assembled. Sandblast material is extremely difficult to remove completely from the inside crevices of the housing. If you really want the springs nice they need to come apart and get painted individually before reassembly.
Doug
 
Hot tank the housing and bare carrier. That's the best way to get the inside clean BUT "why" do they need a rebuild? If they're in good working order I'd just seal up the breather hole and blast the outside, paint and install. You're making a lot of work for yourself. Springs and other stuff - yeah, go for it!
 
You will also find where the fusion welds are inside the housing are very sharp. I grind them smooth. If you blast do it while the axles/center section/housing are still assembled. Sandblast material is extremely difficult to remove completely from the inside crevices of the housing. If you really want the springs nice they need to come apart and get painted individually before reassembly.
Doug
Hey Doug ( @dvw ) what is a fusion weld? I havent heard that term before.
Thanks
As far as cleaning looks like it could use a good hot water power wash first.
 
Dipping is my go to method. When I was in Oregon we had a shop just down the street that dipped car bodies or anything. I think GYC used them lots of Mopar bodies went through that place. The EPA and tree huggers were always on their ***. Good luck finding one in Cali.
 
Hey Doug ( @dvw ) what is a fusion weld? I havent heard that term before.
.
The two parts are pushed together and heated with electrical current. If you pull the center section you will see the 8 3/4 housing is made of multiple pieces.
Doug
 
The two parts are pushed together and heated with electrical current. If you pull the center section you will see the 8 3/4 housing is made of multiple pieces.
Doug
Thanks did not know that! Learn something new every time I log in here!
Stay safe!
 
If you take the leaf springs apart Eric, be sure to order new Delrin liners ahead of time. They usually need replacing and are crucial to proper operation.
 
Just a suggestion but I would take them to a spring shop and have them re-arched and rebuilt, its not that much money for the peace of mind. Jmo2!
 
I'd blast everything but like dvw said do the axle assembled. Sand will take out seals, bearings etc but doing it assembled the sand doesn't make it very far, just be sure to clean your parts well when reassembling it.
 
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