From: Neil E. Amrhein (neil@compu-powr.com)
Date: Wed Jun 19 2002 - 05:59:15 PDT
Ted,
The axles in the M1009 are standard 1/2-ton GM 10-bolts. They are a good
1/2-ton axle, but the tubes are not fully welded around the center section,
and the center section is not the strongest. If the truck was ever severely
loaded and driven off-road much, it is possible that the tubes are slightly
bent or the center section (where the tubes are pressed in)is weak. I had a
1/2 ton 4x4 Chevy truck that often got heavily loaded, but never noticed a
"U" shape in the axle. Granted, I never really measured it, and I eventually
replaced the axles with 3/4-ton parts (same front axle, but a 14-bolt FF
rear and 8 lug wheels), so I can't say for sure.
I cannot remember for sure about the 10-bolts, but typically, 4x4 rear
axle tubes are not made of the same thickness tubing as the front axle. The
front axle is usually designed heavier to take the pounding of potholes and
bumps against the weight of the vehicle at speed. You can always upgrade it
to a 14-bolt semi-floating axle from a 3/4-ton pickup, but that would
probably entail a gear swap, too. I don't think many 3/4-tons came with
3.08:1 gears. However, they were available with a 6-lug pattern in certain
"light duty" 3/4 tons in the mid-late 80's, so your wheels would still work.
Just a thought.
--Neil
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ted Hintopoulos" <hint@northnet.org>
To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2002 8:25 AM
Subject: [MV] M1009 axle ?
> Regarding the Blazer CUCV:
>
> Is there an inherent weakness in the
> rear axle housing on the M-1009 ?
>
> Took a passing look at my wife's 1009 the other day and it appears
> that the axle tubes curve, like a mild "U", from backing plate to backing
> plate.
>
> The other day saw another 1009, sure enough, it curves as well.
> I can't say that this is good, but is this normal for them
> and how much is bad? I know the ideal is non.
>
> Guessing the rigs had to be overloaded. Can't be good for those
> splines.
>
> For a comparison, I measured my M-715's rear axle.
> Besides looking it, it measured straight.
>
> FYI: I used a laser to supply a straight edge and measured from the bottom
> of the axle tube to the beam.
>
> Thanks all!
>
> Ted H.
>
>
>
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