OK folks, I know I am repeating a question here, but I must satisfy a question that has been bugging me for some time. Growing up in the SF Bay Area, I remember seeing several Ford cars with blue paint on the axle ends. I brought this up before, and Jeff suggested it may be a 68’ thing and suggested it was for an axle length or spline indicator. I only remember the blue marks on 28 spline axles, but saw them on my mothers 58’ Fairlane 500, my grandmothers 63’ Galaxy, and several other Ford cars that were in my cousins auto repair shop.
I found blue paint trace on my 68’ non GT J code Mustang, as well as both axles from my 68’ 9 inch Mustang, again, 28 spline. A Picture in Paul M. Newitt’s 2011 GT/CS Mustang Recognition Guide and Owners Manual, Page 75, shows a GT/CS sitting on the secure lot behind the San Jose Ford Plant without hubcaps. It clearly shows light color paint in the hub of the axle. Can’t tell what color it is as the photo is black and white. I wish I could post the picture here, but it is copyrighted.
Since I remember seeing the blue paint on different size cars, it suggests the paint does not indicate axle length. My thought was the paint indicates a competed/adjusted axle/brake assembly, applied by a final assembly inspector. I do not remember seeing blue paint on 31 spline axles, which throws a kink in the belief of final inspection mark.
Has anyone found the blue paint on any of their un-restored axle assemblies or know what this paint means? Most of the time, the paint is obscured by rust or grime. Not something that would be removed with normal brake repair.
Thanks in advance for your input. Mike
