Rear axle tube bent or something not quite right

[DanWheeler]

i've noticed one of my rear tires tilts in a little bit maybe 2-3 degrees. Seems like the axle tube must be bent. This is a BB 9" I rebuilt and it has brand new axle shafts.

Is this common? could it be something else? is there anything I can do to fix it?

thanks,
dan

 

[wildhorses76]

i've noticed one of my rear tires tilts in a little bit maybe 2-3 degrees. Seems like the axle tube must be bent. This is a BB 9" I rebuilt and it has brand new axle shafts.

Is this common? could it be something else? is there anything I can do to fix it?

thanks,
dan

I didn't notice any tilt in my tire, but after stripping everything down to paint I noticed a kink in the tubing where someone probably backed up into something broad and it kinked it, and then when I pulled the chunk it revealed wear in the back of the housing where the ring gear rubbed, but the chunk on there had been replaced and axle shafts, so I replaced the whole housing with a used one for 100 bucks, don't know if the kink caused anything, but I changed it anyways.....pull the tire/rim, maybe you can notice it like that or check the flange behind the drum assembly.....

I'm not a an expert.....just food for thought....

 

[70_Steve]

First you might want to make sure that is the case. Take it to an alignment shop and ask for a 4 wheel alignment. Did this on my DD Camaro, and found that the drivers rear is toed in 3/4 of a degree. I though about fixing it, but 90K miles later, it's still on my list of things to do.

 

[72Sport]

i've noticed one of my rear tires tilts in a little bit maybe 2-3 degrees. Seems like the axle tube must be bent. This is a BB 9" I rebuilt and it has brand new axle shafts.

Is this common? could it be something else? is there anything I can do to fix it?


thanks,
dan

I have a 72 BB. It was bent. It also leaked where the driver axle tube was welded to the 3rd member housing. The axle tubes are just butt welded on the early ones. Some shops have fixtures to check alignment. They have a long rod about the size of the axles that is slightly longer than the housing. It has inserts that fit over the rod and fit inside the wheel bearing housing. The rod also fits in inserts that go in the 3rd member. The last thing that is assembled on the rod is the inserts that go in the ends of the housing. If the inserts don't go in the ends the housing is bent.

Mine took a trip to Currie Ent. to get straightened and welded. You probably have a shop near you that can do the same thing.

The alignment shop is probably a good place to start before you tear anything apart.