welding

[joey7478]

Can you replace the axle tube and can you just weld in new one to the rear end? Friends truck was hit and there is bend in axle tube. Thanks joey!

 

[redhurricane]

More information would help, is this a 7.5, 8.8, etc?

No matter what it is, if the axle tube is bent, the axle shaft is likely bent as well. With the abundance of rear axles still in the junkyards, why not buy a new axle and bolt it in?

 

[hank857]

You probably could weld in a new one, BUT, do you have jig to set it up in and ensure all the dimensionals are correct? Its too easy to be off a little and then have issues with bearings, leaking seals etc plus you will always worry about 'will it break again'.

Anyhow I had a ranchero and had issues with the rear end and bearings. Took it to a shop and they said it was off a little and that was what caused the problems. Replaced with another out of a junk yard and didn't have issues for years but once again finally showed up. A complete rearend will only run about $300 and that includes (or should the brakes etc. So yes just buy a complete replacement.

 

[pjtoledo]

keep in mind that its the REAR axle that lets the vehicle track correctly.
if the rear axle is out of true your truck may steer like a wacked shopping cart.

on Extreme Off Road tv show they had an episode about putting new tubes on a carrier. they are on Power Block.

by the way, where were you going to get a new/used tube?