05-31-2004, 01:24 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Non Member
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 187
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heat straightening axle tube
Has anyone here had luck heat straightening an axle tube before? Specifically I want to straighten the tube on my rear Dana 44 on my Cherokee. I suspect by looking at the axle that the passenger's side tube is bent. To verify this, I pulled the axle shafts and carrier, and tried to pass a piece of inch and a half schedule 80 pipe (OD = 1.900") through from one axle shaft flange through the axle tube, carrier, other tube, to the other flange, and it will not pass all the way through. If the axle was straight, the pipe would fit with about 1/8" of clearance.
I know heat straightening is used as a means to repair bridge girders when trucks hit them. Anyone tried it on an axle tube?
The tube is bent up near the passenger's side tire, roughly 122 inches in from the tire. I plan on performing a series of heating and cooling cycles. I will heat a longer section on the bottom of the axle tube, and taper down to a point at the axle centerline, or just above the center line. I am confident I can tell when it is straight using my pipe passed through the axle method. Any comments?
I also plan on trussing the axle housing when I'm done so I don't bend it again.
Long term plans are to swap in a shaved 14 bolt, but that is still a ways off.
Mark
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1998 12V QC LB 4x4 5 speed. 3K GSK, custom plate, 370s, HTT Stage 3, ITW clutch, 4" exh and a Scotty. 402hp 895 ftlbs 2/11/06
1989 Cherokee D44 front, narrowed disk brake Detroit Corp 14 bolt rear, custom coil rear, long arm front, 36" IROKs, and lots of rock rash.
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