Bending Rear Axles

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

I picked up a long rear axle sometime last year and never really looked it over too well. This morning I was measuring it and noticed it's bent in the middle.....probably got bent by the UPS gorillas. I know these are forged, so they can be bent back, but is it possible to really get it straight without access to a machine shop........or should I toss it?


thanks,
bob

[Carter]

I would be concerned that straightening would somehow weaken it Bob, not sure how but I would only use it if absolutely necessary. New ones are still available so why take the risk. Just my 2 cts.

[w30bob]

Hi Carter,

I hear ya....my concern too. What got me thinking about it was first....it's not bent bad. If I roll it on the floor you can see the center of the axle wobble a bit.....and I don't know how much clearance there is between the axle tube and the axle when it's assembled. The reason I figure it can be bent is that forged crankshafts are easily bent by engine rebuilders to get them straight...and I figure a crankshaft is higher stressed than an axle. And I know forgings are a bit forgiving in that manner........just not sure in this instance. But I have no plans to use it anytime soon, so just figured I'd ask.

take care,
bob

[T. Highway]

Bob,

Crankshafts have many more support journals than a axle shaft. I would be concerned about a vibration being created from the bent axle shaft and that in turn taking out a bearing / seals prematurely.

Bert

[w30bob]

That's a good point Bert. So now the question becomes....what's an allowable runout for an axle shaft?

thanks,
bob