My Willys 3A and 3B Community
TECH FAQ SECTIONS => Gearboxes and axles => Topic started by: Don on April 11, 2016, 11:15:53 PM
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Looks like my front axle may be bent. The machined end of the axle tube is not square to the cast housing. I have tried to measure, but haven't come up with the correct method. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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The only way you'll know if it is straight is to put it under your jeep and look at it. You'll be able to tell if it is or not. I wouldn't go by the machining at the end of it.
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Interesting, that sure doesn't look good, but I can't see any way it could bend like that. Maybe the end of the casting is just not straight?
What if you put the axle housing on two jackstands with the "bend" down and note the angle of the tube with an angle finder or level. Then rotate the axle housing 180 degrees. The angle of the tube should still be the same if it's not bent.
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One possibility might be a laser level, if you have access to one. Shoot the beam across the top of axle and measure down. Should be equal distance at each measurement. (the axle would not have to be level, just make sure the distances are the same at ends, then measure in the middle.)
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Don .... You can feel better or I feel worse. My axle looks like yours.
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All, thanks for your input. After seeing Jim's axle I think I am going to just run it the way it is. My cheap fun project is getting expensive very fast.
Don
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My cheap fun project is getting expensive very fast.
Don
What?
Nobody warned you about that?
You do know what Jeep stands for don't you?
Just Empty Every Pocket
:D ;D
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I think what you guys have is normal. I would guess the huge bosses for the axle tubes on the clunky crude casting are just all over the place dimensionally and not intended to be square to anything. After machining the untouched cast surfaces make it look wonky. I think the tubes look good in both your pictures!