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Rear axle blue paint mark

somethingspecial

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Joined
Aug 13, 2005
Messages
1,795
When I was growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I lived not far from the Oakland Airport. Therefore many of the neighbors were mechanics of some sort. I remember seeing lots of vehicles with no hubcaps and/or being worked on in their driveways. I also remember seeing lots of axles with blue paint on the center hubs. I asked several experts here, as well as some old time mechanics about this and no one seems to know or remember what I am talking about.

When restoring my Concours car axles, I discovered traces of blue paint in the axle hub, confirming what I remember. I matched the paint and sprayed the axle as I remembered.

Today, while checking the brakes on my driver GT/CS, I discovered blue paint in the axle hubs. This thoroughly confirms what I remember and since this is two GT/CSs with the blue marks, I feel this is something that was on the car when it left the factory. I also believe this marking to be an inspector mark to show a completed and inspected brake assembly. These marks are on both a 9” and an 8” rear axle, so it is a universal mark.

To challenge my memory, I tried to remember what cars had the blue axles and I remember a ‘63 Ford Galaxy, a late 60s Ford pick-up, and a ’66 Ford Fairlane. Family members owned an auto repair shop and I was always hanging with my dad, who spent a lot of time there. I saw lots of blue axles there, but couldn’t tell you what on.

I am basing this solely on my memories, as no one can confirm or deny this discovery and its significance. If anyone has further information, PLEASE post it so we can confirm what this blue mark means.
 

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CougarCJ

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Jul 17, 2006
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2,186
I'll take a look in the wrecking yard. I'll see what I can find and report.
 

Ruppstang

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May 22, 2009
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I can not tell you what they mean but blue and white seem to be common on most Both my 67 and 68 both were SJ cars and have white. Marty
 

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green56

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Joined
Oct 31, 2007
Messages
516
Axle blue paint

this has nothing to do with the blue paint but just wondering if Cougar cj would you have a radio faceplate for a 66 radio with am/8 track faceplate since you have a yard with cars if you have one laying around Thanks
 

CougarCJ

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Jul 17, 2006
Messages
2,186
this has nothing to do with the blue paint but just wondering if Cougar cj would you have a radio faceplate for a 66 radio with am/8 track faceplate since you have a yard with cars if you have one laying around Thanks

We only have 1967-73 Mercury Cougars on the ground.
 

J_Speegle

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Joined
Jun 19, 2006
Messages
488
Mike - when I was at your place long ago that J code coupe that was on the trailer in your driveway had a blue mark in the center of the drivers side axle (28 spline)

Have not see this that often - have also seen some with yellow on the passenger axle (again 28 spline) in the center recess
 

CougarCJ

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Jul 17, 2006
Messages
2,186
Haven't had a chance to look for blue on those axles yet.
Yellow paint daubs on certain passenger side pieces is common. Engine frame stands for sure, and some other front suspension component, but it escapes me right now.
 

J_Speegle

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Joined
Jun 19, 2006
Messages
488
Yellow paint daubs on certain passenger side pieces is common. Engine frame stands for sure, and some other front suspension component, but it escapes me right now.

Then some yellow was not for orientation but it seems - just so workers could see the part quickly is dimmer locations - one example would be motor mounts on some cars ;)
 
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