Damaged axle tube repair?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dongray · 11-24-2018, 01:48 PM

I'm putting in a 8.8 explorer rear axle and while cutting off the old perches I put a small gouge in the axle tube. It's about .045 deep max.and about 3/4 in long. I heard the axle tubes were thin any suggestions on fixing the gouge or should the tube be replaced? Ugh!

sweetk30 · 11-24-2018, 01:51 PM

wire wheel .

mig weld .

grind smooth .

paint and be happy .

and if you want to be super specific in oem use the ranger/broncoII/explorers used flat rod ubolts . the area were it held the axle tube was flattened for more surface area so it would not deform the tub like a reg round rod ubolt . i have seen them work fine with reg ubolts tho .

**mongocanfly** · 11-24-2018, 03:41 PM

K30 got it ....weld and grind...I don't know about a 8.8 tube but most axle tubes I've dealt with are fairly thick..

**Captainfab** · 11-25-2018, 01:16 AM

I agree /\ /\

chevy_mike · 11-27-2018, 11:49 AM

Axle tubes on an 8.8 are 1/4" thick. Weld it up, grind it smooth and be happy.

Dongray · 11-27-2018, 11:38 PM

Thanks everyone! I will just weld, grind and go on to the next thing. It seems there is no shortage of next things on this project.

**PGSigns** · 11-29-2018, 08:08 AM

When you weld up the perches weld in small areas and skip around to keep the heat down on the housing. You can pull a housing around a bunch by dumping a lot of heat in on one side of the tube. Here is a quick video on how much a housing moves with heat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8m919bCeEE
I have fixed housing that were so bad after all the welding was done the axles would not go back in.
Jimmy

sweetk30 · 11-29-2018, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGSigns

When you weld up the perches weld in small areas and skip around to keep the heat down on the housing. You can pull a housing around a bunch by dumping a lot of heat in on one side of the tube. Here is a quick video on how much a housing moves with heat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8m919bCeEE
I have fixed housing that were so bad after all the welding was done the axles would not go back in.
Jimmy

that was cool to watch for sure .

**PGSigns** · 11-30-2018, 07:48 AM

I used to letter some of the local circle track cars and watched them adjust a car one night. The set the car up on four stands under the tires and put the laser alignment stuff on all four wheels. The set the front and then went to the back as they heated and cooled the housing you could watch the lasers move on the targets. On the drag cars we put the ends on the housings last after all the welding was done for the brace and brackets with a fixture that centered them off the carrier bearing bores. Here is what one of those looks like. https://www.mittlerbros.com/rear-end...l?options=cart
Jimmy

11-24-2018, 01:48 PM	#1
Dongray Registered User Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Fort Worth Texas Posts: 88	Damaged axle tube repair?? I'm putting in a 8.8 explorer rear axle and while cutting off the old perches I put a small gouge in the axle tube. It's about .045 deep max.and about 3/4 in long. I heard the axle tubes were thin any suggestions on fixing the gouge or should the tube be replaced? Ugh! Attached Images

11-24-2018, 01:51 PM	#2
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: Damaged axle tube repair?? wire wheel . mig weld . grind smooth . paint and be happy . and if you want to be super specific in oem use the ranger/broncoII/explorers used flat rod ubolts . the area were it held the axle tube was flattened for more surface area so it would not deform the tub like a reg round rod ubolt . i have seen them work fine with reg ubolts tho . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

11-24-2018, 03:41 PM	#3
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,582	Re: Damaged axle tube repair?? K30 got it ....weld and grind...I don't know about a 8.8 tube but most axle tubes I've dealt with are fairly thick.. __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver Last edited by mongocanfly; 11-25-2018 at 05:33 AM.

11-25-2018, 01:16 AM	#4
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,246	Re: Damaged axle tube repair?? I agree /\ /\ __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

11-27-2018, 11:49 AM	#5
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: Damaged axle tube repair?? Axle tubes on an 8.8 are 1/4" thick. Weld it up, grind it smooth and be happy. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

11-27-2018, 11:38 PM	#6
Dongray Registered User Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Fort Worth Texas Posts: 88	Re: Damaged axle tube repair?? Thanks everyone! I will just weld, grind and go on to the next thing. It seems there is no shortage of next things on this project.

11-29-2018, 08:08 AM	#7
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Damaged axle tube repair?? When you weld up the perches weld in small areas and skip around to keep the heat down on the housing. You can pull a housing around a bunch by dumping a lot of heat in on one side of the tube. Here is a quick video on how much a housing moves with heat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8m919bCeEE I have fixed housing that were so bad after all the welding was done the axles would not go back in. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

11-30-2018, 07:48 AM	#9
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Damaged axle tube repair?? I used to letter some of the local circle track cars and watched them adjust a car one night. The set the car up on four stands under the tires and put the laser alignment stuff on all four wheels. The set the front and then went to the back as they heated and cooled the housing you could watch the lasers move on the targets. On the drag cars we put the ends on the housings last after all the welding was done for the brace and brackets with a fixture that centered them off the carrier bearing bores. Here is what one of those looks like. https://www.mittlerbros.com/rear-end...l?options=cart Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic



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