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Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:40 am

Hi,

Are the stub axles on a '54 reduction box interchangeable with all the small nut boxes, or are there differences? I might need to replace my stub axles and need to know what parts I can use.

Cheers

Pete

Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:04 am

go to the gallery, search the word "reduction" by sumbitter "hazetguy". scroll down to the pics titled "Bus Reduction Box Axles". there are about 8 pics that show some differences.
if you put later (non barndoor) axles in, i am pretty sure you will need to replace outer reduction box housing, the backing plates, brake shoes (and hardware), brake drum, bearing cover, etc. basically everything from the housing cover outwards. i have not personally done this, so it is just an educated speculation.
there is some info in the bentley service manual, section H, page 10-1.

Fri Aug 01, 2025 12:01 pm

Can someone confirm that small nut reduction gears, bearings, stub axel and outer case will fit a barndoor axel tube?

Wed Aug 06, 2025 4:32 pm

sgellis wrote: Can someone confirm that small nut reduction gears, bearings, stub axel and outer case will fit a barndoor axel tube?

Can you check the RGB cover bolt pattern and shape, and compare it to the inner half of the box?
I guess I could find pics of the gaskets

This is a 55-63 and a 64-67 gasket

Pic from hazetguy, bd: 8 bolts

Thu Aug 07, 2025 8:14 am

Clara wrote: sgellis wrote: Can someone confirm that small nut reduction gears, bearings, stub axel and outer case will fit a barndoor axel tube?

Can you check the RGB cover bolt pattern and shape, and compare it to the inner half of the box?

Gasket and bearings are the same as small nut. Everything looks like it would work but haven't found an example of it being done. My only concern is if the casting seam was offset differently but that is unlikely.

I assumed if it was possible that it would be a common upgrade to use later brakes.

Thu Aug 07, 2025 9:01 am

sgellis wrote: I assumed if it was possible that it would be a common upgrade to use later brakes.

There's some reference to fitting later drums to barndoor RGBs in the Bentley manual. It mentions fitting the later stub-axle and driven gear.

Is the issue that you don't have the barndoor outer RGB case halves?

Thu Aug 07, 2025 10:05 am

Who.Me? wrote:
Is the issue that you don't have the barndoor outer RGB case halves?

I do not have the BD reductions. Currently have adapted small nut but when my bus goes back together I want BD inner tubes and small nut outer casting and brakes. Was hopping to get confirmation before buying just the BD inner tubes.

Thu Aug 07, 2025 10:37 am

sgellis wrote: Can someone confirm that small nut reduction gears, bearings, stub axel and outer case will fit a barndoor axel tube?
I have done this before, it works fine, straight bolt on. You have to use smallnut stuff of course.

Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:15 am

Lind wrote: sgellis wrote: Can someone confirm that small nut reduction gears, bearings, stub axel and outer case will fit a barndoor axel tube?
I have done this before, it works fine, straight bolt on. You have to use smallnut stuff of course.

Perfect. Thanks!

Mon Aug 18, 2025 2:33 pm

I just wanted to co-sign Lind that the guts do fit as a direct swap. Also, a 55-62 (and 63?) outer cover for an RGB can be used with minimal modifications if a Barndoor outer cover cannot be sourced. The later cover appears identical and the modifications are invisible once the brakes are installed.