So...founs this little gem

[galen1970b]

So....doing axle overhaul stuff.....removing old bearings off axle...and found this underneath old bearing....is this still usable?
I'm gonna try and source a new axle...but im not confident itll happen...

 

[langester]

I have seen that several times. Someone got a little too close with the cutting torch trying to scarf off the bearings. I have run axles like that in the past without problems. However. That being said, my Dad has a 78 F-150 and one of the rear axles broke in that area. It was caused from the same damage but his was much worse. I think his buddy had a few too many beers that day when he cut them off! I would run it on mine but others may not. I would run it but I can see wanting to get another one because you know its there. Just my opinion. Follow your gut and listen to what others have to say about it too. Good luck.

 

[galen1970b]

My lead on a different axle paid off...gonna go pick it up now...50 bucks isn't so bad for some peace of mind. Plan B was to run it if I had too.

 

[langester]

Like I said, your gut won't lie to you. It makes it easier to sleep at night too!Glad you found one!

 

[bax]

good spare. put a bearing on it and save it for a trail spare.

 

[patterdale]

Just call it "character or patina".

 

[blubuckaroo]

We're warned not to use a torch to remove the axle retainer. %)
Yes I do it too.
Yes I've nicked some.
Yes I went ahead and used the axles.
No, none of them have failed.
Sometimes working in a machine shop, that pays hourly wages, you can compromise yourself. That's the way it's done in the real world.

 

[Wyflyer]

This one time, long ago when I had a machine shop... these tourists broke an axle in a borrowed van. Snapped it right off at the bearing. The Ford dealer towed them in, figure it out but didn't have one in stock. The two pretty ladies driving it didn't want to wait 4 days for it to show up, so they end up in my shop begging me to repair it. I explained in 20 different ways you can't weld up broken axles but they wouldn't hear of it they were on a deadline.
So I beveled it, welded it, annealed it, machined it back to original tolerance. And made them sign a hand written release and a promise not to go over 20 mph and only to the next town with a real axle in stock. They installed it and went down the road. I have no idea if it lasted 1 mile or 1 million miles but I got them on the road again.
you can't weld broken axles, but then again maybe so..

 

[Joker11]

I bet it lasted forever.

 

[galen1970b]

yeah, i dont know why one would use a torch to get them off, I used a 3 in cut off wheel to cut about 1/8 to 1/16th of inch to the axle and cracked the ring with a chisel.....the bearing sleeve just came right off after i put some heat on it(and a little massaging..)...after they were off....took some 400 grit sand paper and a a degreaser, cleaned up the bearing journal...so axles are ready to go in after i get the new brake cylinders/pads/hardware installed..

 

[turbotim2]

I just use a press...

 

[Prizefighter]

Keep up the good work Galen! Are you close to finishing up?

 

[Apogee]

I took off a set of SET20 bearings last weekend, notched the retainer collars with a .045" x 5" Metabo friction cutoff disc. I tapped one with a chisel and it snapped just like I'd hoped it would...gave the other one a little tap-tap-tap-a-roo...nothing. Took it to the anvil of the vice and got a little more serious. Got a bigger 2# mini-sledge. Notched it a bit deeper with the Metabo and got medieval on it with the hammer, and success.

I wouldn't press off the bearings with the collars in place, it's hard on the axles and reduces the press fit for the next pair of bearings.

 

[galen1970b]

Keep up the good work Galen! Are you close to finishing up?

I'm getting there, waiting on A/C parts from BCB, so in the mean time...I finished up my rear axle gear swap. I just need to put some oil in it(and the slip additive..) and do some u-joint work on the driveline....then Ill tear down the front axle and get that done tonight....should be a little quicker. I opted to overhaul the brakes as well on the rear...so new everything installed on the backing plate. Goal is to be back on the road sunday.

 

[Joker11]

I imagine this is a great spot to use a TIG welder. You can focus the heat on the race and not the axle.
That should cause the race to expand.
On the opposite idea, running a TIG bead on the inside of a race stuck in a hub, will cause the race to heat up and expand and then contract when cooled. Then they tend to pop out.
I haven't had to do it myself yet.
Speaking from the experience of others.