Straightening a rear end housing
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Here's how to make a fixture and rack for straightening a rear end housing. | Here's how to make a fixture and rack for straightening a rear end housing. | ||
| + | ==Building a straightening table== | ||
The cart pictured below is an old gas cylinder cart, bought at a garage sale. An I-beam is welded to the gas cylinder cart. | The cart pictured below is an old gas cylinder cart, bought at a garage sale. An I-beam is welded to the gas cylinder cart. | ||
[[Image:Axle_straightening_table.jpg|frame|none|A gas cylinder cart, converted for straightening rear end housings.]] | [[Image:Axle_straightening_table.jpg|frame|none|A gas cylinder cart, converted for straightening rear end housings.]] | ||
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[[Image:Hardened_bar.jpg|frame|none|A hardened and chrome plated steel bar.]] | [[Image:Hardened_bar.jpg|frame|none|A hardened and chrome plated steel bar.]] | ||
| + | ==Making the inserts== | ||
Then, make some inserts. These are about 2" long, as to provide some load bearing area to lessen wear caused by repeated use. For this application (10-bolt Chevrolet), the ID is 1.504", and the OD is 2.894". | Then, make some inserts. These are about 2" long, as to provide some load bearing area to lessen wear caused by repeated use. For this application (10-bolt Chevrolet), the ID is 1.504", and the OD is 2.894". | ||
[[Image:Making_inserts_in_lathe.jpg|frame|none|Making the inserts in a lathe.]] | [[Image:Making_inserts_in_lathe.jpg|frame|none|Making the inserts in a lathe.]] | ||
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[[Image:Straight_bar_in_inserts.jpg|frame|none|The straight bar, in the inserts.]] | [[Image:Straight_bar_in_inserts.jpg|frame|none|The straight bar, in the inserts.]] | ||
| + | ==Measuring== | ||
The housing end insert slides over the bar, and indicates how much the end of the housing is bent out of alignment. | The housing end insert slides over the bar, and indicates how much the end of the housing is bent out of alignment. | ||
[[Image:Housing_end_insert_slid_over_bar.jpg|frame|none|The housing end insert is used to indicate the alignment of the housing.]] | [[Image:Housing_end_insert_slid_over_bar.jpg|frame|none|The housing end insert is used to indicate the alignment of the housing.]] | ||
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[[Image:Finding_housing_bend.jpg|frame|none|A ruler is used to see where it's bent.]] | [[Image:Finding_housing_bend.jpg|frame|none|A ruler is used to see where it's bent.]] | ||
| + | ==Heating and bending== | ||
Next, rig a chain at the point of bend, and put a 12-ton bottle jack under the end of the axle. To prevent bending the center casing, put the rear cover on. | Next, rig a chain at the point of bend, and put a 12-ton bottle jack under the end of the axle. To prevent bending the center casing, put the rear cover on. | ||
[[Image:Bottle_jack_and_chain.jpg|frame|none|A bottle jack and chain are used for bending.]] | [[Image:Bottle_jack_and_chain.jpg|frame|none|A bottle jack and chain are used for bending.]] | ||
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