mattb73lt Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 WOW!! That looks great. It's going to make a great foundation for the rest of your restoration. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-571336 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Look good!! Baby steps..... 1 Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-571340 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 hes sure working faster than i do 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-571360 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tjc transport Posted March 14 Popular Post Share Posted March 14 3 hours ago, mowerman said: hes sure working faster than i do if you would stop watching soap operas you might get something done too. 🤣 1 4 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-571384 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted March 21 Author Share Posted March 21 Thank god for those hydraulic bead breakers.Would have never got those tires off the rims if not for the hydraulic bead breaker.Now I’m looking for some tires,I could use 2 steers like now.I can wait for the rear tires till the truck is finished,the steers are shot.Anyone out there got some or a outlet for them.Mine are tube types. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-571782 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 only advice i can give is start buy talking to local truck tire shops,,,see if they will order you some otherwise your going to pay crazy shipping charges if you try to order them yourself and yes bead breakers are god sent good luck,,bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-571784 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavCut Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 Frame looks great @hicrop10! Thank you for keeping us posted on your progress. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-571851 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 I know it’s been awhile,but I have made some progress.The tire guy finally made it and got all the tires mounted and rims all painted.I will probably pull it out in the sunshine (hopefully ) tomorrow and take a picture of it.My next task will be to get the fuel tanks,bumper,air tanks,battery boxes all sandblasted and painted.Still waiting for the body guy to tell me to bring him the cab and fenders. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-575862 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Have a question for the experts.When I towed the truck to the painter I pulled the right rear axle to keep the drive shaft from spinning,when I pulled the axle cap no oil came out.The bearing was packed in grease,as you can see in the picture.I pulled the plug on the rear to check Level of oil and oil came out,so the rear has plenty of oil.My question is shouldn’t the oil be running out to the bearings at the other end of axle?Or is the bearings fine being packed in grease. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-575863 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mackaholic Posted May 16 Popular Post Share Posted May 16 9 minutes ago, hicrop10 said: Have a question for the experts.When I towed the truck to the painter I pulled the right rear axle to keep the drive shaft from spinning,when I pulled the axle cap no oil came out.The bearing was packed in grease,as you can see in the picture.I pulled the plug on the rear to check Level of oil and oil came out,so the rear has plenty of oil.My question is shouldn’t the oil be running out to the bearings at the other end of axle?Or is the bearings fine being packed in grease. No, those early Mack axles had an inner and outer seal around the bearings. The bearings were packed in grease. It wasn't until later that they removed the outer seal and allowed the differential oil to lubricate the bearings. That thin flange between the axle shaft and the bearing retainer in the picture above is where the seal rides that keeps the oil out. The seal is in the axle cap. 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-575864 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Thanks,Mackaholic 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-575865 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 5 minutes ago, mackaholic said: No, those early Mack axles had an inner and outer seal around the bearings. The bearings were packed in grease. It wasn't until later that they removed the outer seal and allowed the differential oil to lubricate the bearings. That thin flange between the axle shaft and the bearing retainer in the picture above is where the seal rides that keeps the oil out. The seal is in the axle cap. I thought I was the only one that remembered that lol 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-575867 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 That’s news to me also thanks for that… bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-575885 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 Have never seen one with grease and a extra seal, learning things every day Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-575934 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackaholic Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 I believe they switched somewhere late 50's, early 60's but not sure. All the LT's I've worked on had two seals and greased bearings. My dad's 65 F model had one and ran in oil. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576716 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Old Macks Posted May 31 Popular Post Share Posted May 31 5 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576719 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 On 5/16/2025 at 3:34 PM, Joseph Cummings said: I thought I was the only one that remembered that lol I was "shot down / verbally confronted "while back when in an earlier topic was told : there weren't two seal in hubs back then. just sayin 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576734 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted May 31 Share Posted May 31 Mack wasn't the only one to use seals and greased bearings. There are a number of ways it was done. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576737 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 1 Share Posted June 1 20 hours ago, mechohaulic said: I was "shot down / verbally confronted "while back when in an earlier topic was told : there weren't two seal in hubs back then. just sayin It happens there was a very knowledgeable guy on here a while back that told me my truck was originally a single axle since it has an S in the serial number not all of us know it all, but I guess some people are pretty sure about something enough to argue a point that is not true 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576784 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted June 1 Share Posted June 1 Well never feer, I dunno stuff all about stuff all Yes some people get quite passionate about been right I try not to, I do remember many years ago on the forum a fella had a R model that kept ...... Or on tge ACMOC forum a fella with a old D8 that smoked really bad developed no boost anf it turned out .... It doesn't really matter about been right for me It's all about having fun and helping each other I try not to take things to heart And someone actually has to listen to what we are saying as well All part of the fun Timken back ends had grease in the hubs and oil in the guts Paul 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576790 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted June 1 Share Posted June 1 3 hours ago, mowerman said: It happens there was a very knowledgeable guy on here a while back that told me my truck was originally a single axle since it has an S in the serial number not all of us know it all, but I guess some people are pretty sure about something enough to argue a point that is not true the S in a vin number can also be recognition to lighter chassis set up. DM685 S would be lighter running gear (38's-44"s) still tandem ;;the DM685 SX would be looking 55 rears etc. a R685 T == single axle . don't know if I've ever seen a DM685 T ?? a U685 T road truck. have to look at list of Mack models. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576792 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 1 Share Posted June 1 well, thanks for that according to the Mack manual I have seen from double clutching weasel I think that’s where I saw it. It was supposed to mean 6 six wheel truck, which doesn’t make too much sense to me because that’s what they’re calling. A twin drive or twin axle…. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576793 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted June 1 Share Posted June 1 10 minutes ago, mowerman said: well, thanks for that according to the Mack manual I have seen from double clutching weasel I think that’s where I saw it. It was supposed to mean 6 six wheel truck, which doesn’t make too much sense to me because that’s what they’re calling. A twin drive or twin axle…. Bob S would be a 6 wheel truck- count wheels not tires . 4 wheels on rear and 2 on steer. 4+2 == 6. the T in vin would be single axle. while at Mack Blakeslee prestress ordered a fleet of huge heavy DM's . combo of single axles and tandems; the single axles having frame rails ft higher than most were DM611 ?? - all had quads. now I confused myself and contradicted earlier post , they were very heavy triple framed with 100 ton osculating 5th wheels (which I installed everyone ) having 4 in spacer blocks under 5th wheel plates. all 3/4 hand drilled bolts. they may have been DM611 T's 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576797 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 2 Share Posted June 2 Now I have to pull out Mack manual and see if I can find it now it’s been burning hot past couple days haven’t done anything Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576800 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted June 2 Share Posted June 2 2 minutes ago, mowerman said: Now I have to pull out Mack manual and see if I can find it now it’s been burning hot past couple days haven’t done anything no such thing as "I haven't done anything ":you were pacing yourself during extreme conditions building energy to give it heck later .!! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73175-mack-b873sx-restoration/page/8/#findComment-576802 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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