Straightening a rear end housing
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Hold a ruler on the tube, to see where it's bent. In this case, it's bent at the areas that were welded by the previous "builder". | Hold a ruler on the tube, to see where it's bent. In this case, it's bent at the areas that were welded by the previous "builder". | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[Image:Finding_housing_bend.jpg|frame|none|A ruler is used to see where it's bent.]] |
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. | ||
| − | [[bottle jack and chain | + | [[Image:Bottle_jack_and_chain.jpg|frame|none|A bottle jack and chain are used for bending.]] |
Then, jack up the housing into perfect alignment with the housing end insert, and heat a band all the way around the tube, until it's red-hot. Let the tube cool while it's still supported by the jack. | Then, jack up the housing into perfect alignment with the housing end insert, and heat a band all the way around the tube, until it's red-hot. Let the tube cool while it's still supported by the jack. | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[Image:Heating_the_axle_tube.jpg|frame|none|Heat a band all the way around the tube.]] |
| − | [[ | + | [[Image:Red_hot_band.jpg|frame|none|A red-hot band indicating proper and even heating of the tube.]] |
In this case, when the tube cooled, the housing end was only a few thousandths of an inch off, and was easily bent into alignment cold, using only the bottle jack. This housing was initially out by almost 1/4" on one side, and 3/16" on the other. Now, the housing end slips on with minimal effort. | In this case, when the tube cooled, the housing end was only a few thousandths of an inch off, and was easily bent into alignment cold, using only the bottle jack. This housing was initially out by almost 1/4" on one side, and 3/16" on the other. Now, the housing end slips on with minimal effort. | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[Image:Insert_fits_properly.jpg|frame|none|The housing end slips on with minimal effort.]] |
I did this once before on my big table. The setup was the same, (I was using a borrowed alignment bar and inserts.) And it was on a 9" ford. I have a bunch of old center sections that have no carrier in them. So I use one as a dummy. | I did this once before on my big table. The setup was the same, (I was using a borrowed alignment bar and inserts.) And it was on a 9" ford. I have a bunch of old center sections that have no carrier in them. So I use one as a dummy. | ||
I don't know how involved someone would want to get , building their own set of rear axle tools , ( I do intend to do this again), but maybe this thread will help inspire someone with a little ingenuity to do it at home. | I don't know how involved someone would want to get , building their own set of rear axle tools , ( I do intend to do this again), but maybe this thread will help inspire someone with a little ingenuity to do it at home. | ||
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