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...................T--- Machine Work on Outer Hub ---
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This is the stock Datsun Z outer hub assembly with the brake backing plate (I already removed the brake shoes), and the strut assembly. This was attached to the car with a-arms at the bottom mount in the picture and with the strut on the top.
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Originally I thought I would make a new outer housing that would house the outer axle shaft that connects to the half shaft on one side and the wheel bolts to on the other side (see next picture). After a closer look I think I can use this hub assembly if I remove the strut and do some machine work to it to reduce the size of it and make a couple areas where I can attach the suspension and locator bars. In the picture above I've removed the output shaft and the brakes.
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This is a picture of the outer shaft or whatever it is called. The wheel mounting lugs are on the left and the 1/2 shaft attaches with a u-joint on the right. The bearings are pressed onto this shaft and also pressed into the housing in the last picture.
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First I took a sawzall and cut off the strut on the right. Then I used the saw to cut off the part of the hub that the strut went into.
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Next I machined the area where the strut mount was flat and I would do likewise to the area where the a-arm attached (on the left above).
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With the a-arm mounting boss machined down to the same level as the rest of this side of the hub I can move to the other side of the hub.
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This is the other side machined down flat. I now have 4 inches between the two machined sides of the hub housing. I'm trying to get this as narrow as possible, while still keeping the structural integrity of the piece. This is just guess work and what looks ok on my part. Since this area is all out near the tire/wheel and will have to be covered with a streamlined fairing the smaller it is the less frontal area on the car, which will improve the aero package.
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Another look. You can see I've still maintained most of the webbing.
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.The plan is to tap the two flat areas for bolts and also use the large existing hole and a side hole (see left side of last picture) to attach my suspension and locator bars to. I'll also use this area and probably the 4 bolt holes where the backing plate attached to make a bracket to mount a locator bar going forward on the frame that will locate the axle front to back. In addition there will be a bracket that will give me a place to tie the suspension into this outer hub.
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I finished up by machining the end flat so I can tap it for a couple more bolts in addition to using the center hole that was in the hub assembly.
I was thinking a deDion type rear axle, but now I have something else in mind for the rear. More on that later.
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