FX4 Level II axle, bent shaft flange

[gwaii]

i was not referring to anyone but the original poster.


its almost troll like in nature. but the idea of the washers for appearances sake is off the reservation.

i have busted too many straight shafts to want to risk running a bent flange more then 5-6 k.

ya,the washer idea is ridiculous....but i wanted to point out the danger of macining the flange to anyone that may be inclined to try it.

the other point i didn't mention is that the bend is usually inboard of the bearing,so even if the flange was machined true,it would soon be tearing out the axle bearing.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

One of the old timers was telling me about machining them true. When my Sport Trac got hit it bent the passenger side axle flange and he brought up that topic when we were changing it out. He said they used to have it done all the time in the 'old days'.

Not saying I agree with it....was just throwing that out there. I'd never heard of it before.

 

[gwaii]

One of the old timers was telling me about machining them true. When my Sport Trac got hit it bent the passenger side axle flange and he brought up that topic when we were changing it out. He said they used to have it done all the time in the 'old days'.

Not saying I agree with it....was just throwing that out there. I'd never heard of it before.

similarly....i'm not trying to diss ya,sasq.and i'm familliar with the process.i've even done it myself....before i knew the problems associated with it.

i just wanted to make clear to any that may be exploring this as an option that it's not adviseable.there were a lot of things done in the 'old days' that just won't cut it today....and shouldn't have then.

 

[Masteratarms93]

You guys are killing me.

I am just looking for options. It's not as simple as me not wanting to pay for the cost of a new shaft it's THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND. It's not as simple as picking a random yard and pulling a 28-spline shaft from any old Ranger or as simple looking for an axle of CL to buy and part. THESE AXLES ARE 1 in 1000 AND THEY GO FOR $300-$500. If it was just me being cheap then I would understand all the comments.

As for the washer thing it was just an idea as a temporary fix until I can get a new shaft. The truck is my DD and it just got new tires. The vibrations are crazy and I'm sure the tire wear is going to bad. I'm just trying to keep it down to a dull annoyance until I can find a replacement. It's not about "looks". Well maybe a little bit since it looks like I am loosing a wheel and people keep reminding me but that's pretty much it.

Things to keep in mind: It's a 2WD 4 cylinder. Mall crawler. It's doesn't go offroad. Ever. I can't imagine ever snapping a shaft on my 5 mile daily trips. The flange is PLENTY strong enough to handle running my 31s with the less than 5 degree bend it has. I'm not rock crawling people, I'm driving to school.

 

[gwaii]

Things to keep in mind: It's a 2WD 4 cylinder. Mall crawler. It's doesn't go offroad. Ever. I can't imagine ever snapping a shaft on my 5 mile daily trips. The flange is PLENTY strong enough to handle running my 31s with the less than 5 degree bend it has. I'm not rock crawling people, I'm driving to school.

as pointed out above you can buy one new for a couple of hundred bucks.

and the real danger of it breaking isn't rock crawling-if that happens all your buddies laugh and you need to tow it out.

the danger is if you are driving down the freeway at 60 and the stress cracks in the shaft propogate from the shaking,causing the wheel to seperate at speed.now you have a wheel bouncing down the highway at 60 with no control possibly heading for the windshield of an oncoming car and an out of control three wheel truck spinning out into other cars on your side of the road.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You guys are killing me.

I am just looking for options. It's not as simple as me not wanting to pay for the cost of a new shaft it's THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND. It's not as simple as picking a random yard and pulling a 28-spline shaft from any old Ranger or as simple looking for an axle of CL to buy and part. THESE AXLES ARE 1 in 1000 AND THEY GO FOR $300-$500. If it was just me being cheap then I would understand all the comments.

As for the washer thing it was just an idea as a temporary fix until I can get a new shaft. The truck is my DD and it just got new tires. The vibrations are crazy and I'm sure the tire wear is going to bad. I'm just trying to keep it down to a dull annoyance until I can find a replacement. It's not about "looks". Well maybe a little bit since it looks like I am loosing a wheel and people keep reminding me but that's pretty much it.

Things to keep in mind: It's a 2WD 4 cylinder. Mall crawler. It's doesn't go offroad. Ever. I can't imagine ever snapping a shaft on my 5 mile daily trips. The flange is PLENTY strong enough to handle running my 31s with the less than 5 degree bend it has. I'm not rock crawling people, I'm driving to school.

The simple solution is to find another Ranger axle assembly to stick in until you find a shaft for your FX4 axle.

Dunno what it runs to have done, but people shorten axles for their trucks. Maybe you could have an Explorer shaft shortened?

 

[wahlstrom1]

It's not as simple as me not wanting to pay for the cost of a new shaft it's THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND.

Walk into ford parts department, ask for the proper shaft.... they will get you one. Not too hard, or go to an aftermarket axle company and get them to make you one!

 

[Snoranger]

You guys are killing me.

I am just looking for options.

Your only real option is to replace it. I'm not trying to be a d!ck (and no one else seems to be either). Everyone is just looking out for your best interest AND the people who could get hurt if something happened.

 

[Surrey]

Here is an idea... Rather than continuing to screw with an impossible-to-find axle, why not replace it with either a 28spline Ranger axle, or a 31spline exploder?
That way if you ever have problems again, you can find a new axle shaft easily.

 

[Masteratarms93]

Right right. I understand where you guys are going from. Safety first and all that. The stress crack thing is defiantly something that concerns me. I cannot let that happen.

I fully agree that I need to replace the shaft and there is no way around that. It's not a matter of doing it, it's a matter of finding the part at an affordable price. The washer thing was just an idea, not a permanent fix by any means.

I went today to look at a place that car-part.com said could order a new one for $135 and the guy makes some calls and he is like "$250" delivered. I was like no thanks. I will check the stealership on monday and see what they want to rape me. And I am currently looking for aftermarket companies.

I am not replacing the axle again and I defiantly not buying "a spare". Buying another axle will just set me back that much more if it comes down to having to shell out for the shaft. I am not looking at dropping another $200+ for one shaft into my $350+ axle. If I can't find one for under $150 I'm not going to buy it. I just can't swing that. I expect it to hold true until I can find one.

Thanks everyone for your advice!! If you happen to find a FX4 axle for cheap or a shaft in my price range for sale in my general part of the country just PM me. I don't get on here often but I believe I get emails when I get PMs.

 

[wahlstrom1]

Even if it holds, it will wear your brakes to shit being bent and you'll end up spending money on them too! Pay up now, or quite driving the truck... you keep driving it and it will cost you....more then you wanna know.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

One of the old timers was telling me about machining them true. When my Sport Trac got hit it bent the passenger side axle flange and he brought up that topic when we were changing it out. He said they used to have it done all the time in the 'old days'.

Not saying I agree with it....was just throwing that out there. I'd never heard of it before.

The old timers did some crazy stuff though.

My great-grandfather said the trick was to put sawdust in your differential when you traded it to get rid of a whiner... for a short while.

 

[Snoranger]

Thanks everyone for your advice!! If you happen to find a FX4 axle for cheap or a shaft in my price range for sale in my general part of the country just PM me. I don't get on here often but I believe I get emails when I get PMs.

Where would that be? There was a cheap one that needed a new torsen right by me.

EDIT: nevermind. I see you found that one, but he doesnt want to hold it for you.
If he still has it, buy it from him. I'll hold on to it till you can pick it up.

 

[ozziemo27]

Is a couple hundred bucks worth all the possible consequences? Not to me.