can I turn the front axle tube in the differential housing?

[wernergerman]

I’m a new member from the North Eastern Europe,bought a wrecked 2500 CTD Club cab 4x4 auto trans in Marryland,am currently resurrecting the rig.

My problem: in the accident the front axle is turned clockwise in the differential housing some 6 mm,the welded points are broken,due to it the caster of the right wheel has changed and is negative. Does anybody know what to do in this case,I’d like to repair the original axle and avoid as long as possible to put a new one in,because of the price and availability. Mine is the 3rd Dodge/Cummins in this country and there are whole 3 at all.

Will I succeed in turning the axle tube in the differential housing,if I’ll heat the housing,if so how high can be the temperature?

Is the differential housing made from pig iron or is it steel?

If I disassemble the front axle,should I put new seals in to assemble it again,if so, which ones?

And the most stupid question-may I try to heat the front axle assembled to turn the axle tube in differential housing,or will I damage the seals there in?

Will I need other parts in a process of assembly of the axle after the repair ,if so, what parts. ?

E- mail: werner@tukums. parks. lv

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

If you can get enough leverage you may be able to turn it but the housing may be scored inside from residual weld at the plug welds that used to hold the tube in place. The cast housing is either cast iron or cast steel I don't know which. AFter you reposition the axle tube, either by turning it or by cutting it off, beveling, and rewelding, you need to plug weld it again or use high nickel welding rod to weld the tube to the housing. You also need to check carefully and make sure it is straight afterwards.



Good luck.

 

[Scot]

Talk to a shop that does frame and axle work on big rigs. They repaired a rear axle on one of our firetrucks that I would have thought the housing was scrap. Good luck!

 

[Dfeland]

The housing is cast iron and could be heated up which may help. Dana uses a 60,000psi press to get those tubes in there. I would get a good way to firmly hold the differential housing, then use a piece of railroad track or something tied to the knuckle then heat it up and see if it will move. Be sure it is straight otherwise your axles shafts will get chewed up. Good luck.

 

[wernergerman]

Thanks,guys for the replies,unfortunatelly I have more questions:

1 May I turn the axle housing assembled ,or must I take it apart ( the seals,bearings,etc);

2 May I cool the axle tube,to shrink it using liquid nitrogen,or carbon dioxide,wouldn’t it make seals brittle,If I choose to heat the housing, up to which temperatures it is safe;

3 How will I be sure it is straight after the turning,and not bent;

4 May I cut the axle tube,turn it and reweld afterwards,will it be safe after that?

As well, is this to do in assembled condition or should it be token apart before?

 

[jimk]

axle housing

Originally posted by LLiepina

Thanks,guys for the replies,unfortunatelly I have more questions:

1 May I turn the axle housing assembled ,or must I take it apart ( the seals,bearings,etc);

2 May I cool the axle tube,to shrink it using liquid nitrogen,or carbon dioxide,wouldn’t it make seals brittle,If I choose to heat the housing, up to which temperatures it is safe;

3 How will I be sure it is straight after the turning,and not bent;

4 May I cut the axle tube,turn it and reweld afterwards,will it be safe after that?

As well, is this to do in assembled condition or should it be token apart before?

The tubes are pressed into housing and then welded, Rosette (plug welded). I would not weld the tube except for the plug weld. If you could take a die grinder and clean the weld up in the plug weld and then next you built a jig to hold the housing you might be able to push it into alignment with a portapower. I would use NI rod for cast iron and 7018 low-hi steel to steel, You could use heat but be careful, no't heat one area to much. I have used heat and nitrogen together on some jobs after after I have the pressure applied. I dont remember the exact temperture but heat even and get set up first or you will heat soak the whole area. We use a laser temperture instrument or a heat stick to check temps. LOL Jim