Rhodora - '49 Hudson Brougham

It has been a while! The last 2 years I barely drove because I had LOTS of starting issues; every time I took it out I ended up on a trailer home. I’ve replaced just about everything (alternator, wiring, starter switch, starter relay, bigger battery) and now it runs fine, since last week (alternator was the final piece of the puzzle).

This weekend I took it on the first long trip in 2 years and now I suspect the rear brake locked up. Lots of stench and grinding noises. I suspect the brake shoe came loose and wedged itself because the grinding noise is gone when I put it in reverse.

And now I’m thinking of firing the parts cannon once again because it helped the engine:

The current rear axle is a Dana 40 which is too wide. I can’t replace the wheels without removing all suspension parts and lowering the axle. I’ve been looking online and on this and other forums and my mechanical procedure manual and workshop manual but I can’t find the width of the original rear axle. I did find a lot of suggestions for replacement axles. Does anyone know the actual width (WMS-WMS)?

Also, I guess replacing the rear axle for a new one, including a better built 4-link and a better pinion angle will solve the vibration issues, that’s why I’m thinking about replacing the total rear axle.