How to check for a bent axle housing

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How to check for a bent axle housing #367193 12/22/03 04:59 PM

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 154

Colorado Springs, Co, USA

Kendall

Wheeler

I am in the process of rebuilding an '83 Toyota front axle for my SAS. When I put the short side axle shaft in it is really tight against the front edge of the inner oil seal, enough so that there is a gap at the rear side of the oil seal. The rear steering stop on the same side of the axle is bent also. This leads me to believe that the housing is bent slightly. I am planning on getting a new housing. I would like to check the housing before I put it together, to see if it is straight. Is there a good method for checking this?

88 Xtra Cab, SAS, 35X12.50 MTR, Toyota E-Lockers front and rear, Rear seat, custom nerfs and rear bumper.

Re: How to check for a bent axle housing [Re: Kendall] #367194 12/22/03 05:16 PM

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 612

Bremond, TX

mechanic58 Offline

Rock Warrior

I suppose there probably IS, but I'm guessin that it would require some fancy equipment...especially to detect a 'slight' bend. The only way I could think of is by having the complete assembly under a truck that is rolling...and put it on an alignment rack. This would be the easiest. Good luck.

2007 Ford F150 Supercab

Re: How to check for a bent axle housing [Re: Kendall] #367195 12/22/03 05:26 PM

Anonymous

Unregistered

Well that sucks.. sorry to hear you are having probs with the sas. Have you allready got a new axle lined up?

Re: How to check for a bent axle housing [Re: Kendall] #367196 12/22/03 05:57 PM

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 4,230

Roseville, CA, Gateway to the ...

OOP'S

Roll Me Over

Is it hard to get the short side axle and birf in and out? If yes it is bent! Any good rearend shop should have a "Jig Bar" set-up to check the housing or a 4 x 4 shops that does custom axle housings!!!!

David Fritzsche
1990 Ex-Cab V-6,5-speed, with a few mods
04.5 CTD Dodge 2500 Ram--Tow Rig
Roseville, CA

"Serenity through Sobriety"

Re: How to check for a bent axle housing [Re: Kendall] #367197 12/22/03 08:41 PM

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 154

Colorado Springs, Co, USA

Kendall

Wheeler

Yep, I could not get the inner axle to mate up with the birf while the inner axle was already in. I think that I have a new housing lined up.

88 Xtra Cab, SAS, 35X12.50 MTR, Toyota E-Lockers front and rear, Rear seat, custom nerfs and rear bumper.

Re: How to check for a bent axle housing [Re: Kendall] #367198 12/22/03 09:28 PM

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 4,230

Roseville, CA, Gateway to the ...

OOP'S

Roll Me Over

Quote

Yep, I could not get the inner axle to mate up with the birf while the inner axle was already in. I think that I have a new housing lined up.

I would say that it is "El Bento"!!!!!!

David Fritzsche
1990 Ex-Cab V-6,5-speed, with a few mods
04.5 CTD Dodge 2500 Ram--Tow Rig
Roseville, CA

"Serenity through Sobriety"

Re: How to check for a bent axle housing [Re: OOP'S] #367199 12/23/03 06:55 AM

Anonymous

Unregistered

If the bend is bad enough you can use a strait edge ruler on it but it wont deteced minor bends but im sure theres a way to do it yourself let me ask some axle freinds of mine and see what they say <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Re: How to check for a bent axle housing [Re: Kendall] #367200 12/24/03 05:07 AM

Anonymous

Unregistered

I have seen jigs for straight axles. Looks like a cross between a pinion depth seting tool and a line bore jig. Im sure most good machine shops could help you out$

Re: How to check for a bent axle housing [Re: Kendall] #367201 12/24/03 03:18 PM

Anonymous

Unregistered

If your housing is empty you can look through from one side to the other and see if it's bent. Like this:
I think this pic was taken from the long side. You can see the short side seal on the LEFT but not on the right.
[Linked Image]

Or, if it's together and the stub axle is hard against the spindle like this:
Also bent housing. And no, it's not the same one.
[Linked Image]

And as long as we're here.<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> Number 3:
This was on my '85 when I bought it, didn't know until I took it apart. No idea what the shim was made from.
[Linked Image]

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