Front 4X4 Axle Bent ..Can you fix??

[MR.K]

I have an 03 2500 4X4 with a bent front axle at the "C" where the knuckle (hub) end and ball joints attach . It is only bent slightly in, on the top ... I could almost take out the bend using a 2 degree adjustible upper ball joint... I believe that these welded on ends are cast steel (not iron) so can they be streightened by pressing or leverage after I take the knuckle off ???... . any ideas ... ps. big tires and hard objects don't mix ... ... thanks

 

[BigDan]

Try your local differental shop. A good shop can do just about anything, or search for bare housings off wrecked trucks at local wreckers, ebay, craigslist, car-part.com, etc...

 

[wcjp]

A good shop might want to replace from the tubing out. With the right tools and an axle jig should be no problem.

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

A friend of mine just had the front axle on his Jeep Rubicon straightened after getting some unexpected air time. They were able to straighten the long side, but couldn't do anything about the short side.

 

[Bob4x4]

We had 3 trucks on one trip that bent front ends. I searched high and low,no shops were set up to straighten that size. All could do the Jeeps. If you can't find a good used unit go here http://www.gounitrax.com/ and ask for Jerry he can get you a new housing for a good price. Tell him Bob sent you. . Then you will want to truss the new one to prevent a reoccurance. This is what I did https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1519423#post1519423

Good luck

Bob

 

[LWorthington]

I have bent three of them on my race truck. All the shops say that there is no way to hook to the tube to straighten it. Its about 2500 for a new one. Or moog make adgustable ball koints if the bend is not too bad. May I sugest spending the money and trussing the new one. Our shop does them if you need.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have bent three of them on my race truck. All the shops say that there is no way to hook to the tube to straighten it. Its about 2500 for a new one. Or moog make adgustable ball koints if the bend is not too bad. May I sugest spending the money and trussing the new one. Our shop does them if you need.

Pictures and shop location????



Bob

 

[Lorenz]

Jason Hughs a Hughs Dif service can set you up with a Truss. 619 298 3568, San Diego area.



We've talked back and forth for a while about doing mine. I had some ideas he had some... I think I'm going to go with his design, unless I can find the right square tube to sleeve the axle. I need 2x2 stock with the correct shoulder radius. I haven't been able to find it. It's basicly hitch stock w/o rounded shoulders



Jason picked up a sweet spray welder for the process. Deep penetration with a small heat effected zone. This is the same welder I use for my towers and have to say it's very trick. The big boys who make rear ends for Trophy Trucks use the same welder. Heat treating a 4130 axle causes them to warp, the alternative is spray welding then going back over it with a tig.

 

[JDerbedrossian]

I have bent three of them on my race truck. All the shops say that there is no way to hook to the tube to straighten it. Its about 2500 for a new one. .

Your getting ripped at that price. You can get it way cheaper from a few sources. Trust me I know :{ I had to buy one.



Jake

 

[MR.K]

I thank all of you for your your input... The axle is only bent on the cast end a little(right side)... the tube is not bent.