Help identifying GM axle. Found pic but can't read it??

6BangBronk

6BangBronk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Location
Durham
I've tried everything. Even printing it out but just can't read it to save my life. It's the one in the picture (link attached below) almost at the very bottom right but to the left of the Toyota Landcruiser. Looks like "GM HD52 & HD72" but google brings up nothing.
Have a neighbor that thinks since I have an abundance of axles laying around that I'd have one for his 1948 3/4 ton truck. But I don't. But kinda got sucked into trying to help him out cause he is a nice guy. You can clearly see the back cover bolts are exactly like this picture but no identification tag on his axle what so ever. He just wants to go to a more desirable gear than his current 4.56. Tried talking him into just swapping to a more modern (and easier found) 14 bolt or D70 but he wants to stick with this dinosour to match his restoration.
After I figure out the name of it I basically just going to try to find another axle geared 3.50/3.73'ish or if he can purchase a new gear set. I'm sure someone on here might would trade even for his 4.56'ish axle??
His axle is 8 lug full floater if that helps. His hubs are shroomed out with the conical (sp) washers like all old full floaters I've seen (pre '65'ish).



http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...a=X&ei=A6rvUr3nEKKQyAHl84H4Dg&ved=0CCkQ9QEwAQ

Thanks!!
 
Eaton/GM HO52 or HO72 is what is pictured. 4.10 is the highest ratio you will find for those axles, but 4.56 is the most common by far with a few lower ratios around. Other than rebuild parts, hardly anything is out there.

Noticing that it is a 48, likely that is not the axle, but another outdated low ratio GM dinosaur that you will not find higher ratios for.

Neither axle is desirable for the 4x4 world either, pretty much nonexistent diff options.
 
If it is a GM axle made by Eaton like referenced above then it would be an HO52/HO72. These have the stamped steel housing but the hubs/outers look similar to 14-bolt outers.

However, it should be an older GM axle, they had their own in the 40's. My mind cannot remember the designation.
 
Tremendous help! I searched and read all I needed to know. Everything said above is true.

4.10 and 4.57 was only options. 4.10 came standard in automatics. His is 4 speed manual (std. 4.57). Parts are outragious. But was 1'st axle to have factory detroit (I will check his). But strength wise they are rated above a D60. The HO72 had bigger brakes and leaf springs and used in 1 ton. HO52 had coils / smaller brakes in 3/4 ton.

This is a custom flat bed truck for a local steel company with slide outs made to haul very long loads. His is leaf sprung which points toward it being a HO72. The single rear wheel made me thing 3/4 but I read HO72's came in single wheel as well but HO52 was never a dually. Although I read all parts between the two is interchangable...

Thanks too much!
 
Don't some 14 bolt parts swap over? I'm thinking you can put a 14 bolt Detroit in one, and run 14 bolt hubs and axles. I could be wrong though. I think the HO52/72 axles have low spline count axle shafts.
 
drkelly said:
Don't some 14 bolt parts swap over? I'm thinking you can put a 14 bolt Detroit in one, and run 14 bolt hubs and axles. I could be wrong though. I think the HO52/72 axles have low spline count axle shafts.
Click to expand...
Brakes swap over, haven't heard of much of anything else swapping though.
 
From what I've read, side gears and shafts and brakes will swap from 14B but that's it unless you machine the hubs. Also came in 5.13's but rare.

Glad I inquired for I've definately learnt alot today. This is actually considered stronger than a 14 bolt. Only the D80 is considered stronger. But due to no aftermarket being reason it's not desired. But very desirable for absolute touchness for truck pullers and such. Pirate covers this axle pretty thorough.
 
6BangBronk said:
Tremendous help! I searched and read all I needed to know. Everything said above is true.

4.10 and 4.57 was only options. 4.10 came standard in automatics. His is 4 speed manual (std. 4.57). Parts are outragious. But was 1'st axle to have factory detroit (I will check his). But strength wise they are rated above a D60. The HO72 had bigger brakes and leaf springs and used in 1 ton. HO52 had coils / smaller brakes in 3/4 ton.

This is a custom flat bed truck for a local steel company with slide outs made to haul very long loads. His is leaf sprung which points toward it being a HO72. The single rear wheel made me thing 3/4 but I read HO72's came in single wheel as well but HO52 was never a dually. Although I read all parts between the two is interchangable...

Thanks too much!
Click to expand...

You have got most of it. The HO52 was had with leaf springs under 4x4s, also 2wd trucks with the HD suspension (like the Longhorn 8-1/2' bed trucks). Also, the HO72 has a load-bolt on the side of the removable differential housing that pushes against the backside of the ring gear at the point of interface with the pinion to prevent ring gear deflection.
 
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