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axle tube rust

R

RIPPEDK5

Guest
got my 14 bolt yesterday..

looking at the axle, around the old springs perches (they will be removed and new ones relocated) there is axle tube deterioration. basically looks like from years of rust and garbage just sitting. There are no holes or any real weak spots.



2012-11-09_13-42-27_60.jpg




2012-11-09_13-42-19_250.jpg


Obviously i have to remove the all the surface garbage but if looking close there is axle tube deterioration.
 
So that rear is a true 1 ton rear? Appears so by the plates being under the tubes with u-bolts pointing down. 1 ton rears are bad about the rusting in that area because nobody ever cleans out the plates there where dirt gets trapped.
Regardless of the rust, the tubes are thick and your rear will still be good to use. I would clean it up good and if you're still concerned, you can always weld beads on there to build up the metal and grind it smoother along the lines of the tubing. This would be a time consuming job to weld the beads.

If you look at the pic you'll see the bulge that appears lower than the tubing itself. Thats a high chance that its just dirt/rust build up so just get a grinder with a flap disc and clean up that mess. The main areas where the tubes start rusting with these kinds of u-bolt plates is where the plate metal surface rests on the tubes so in other words you will see 2 narrower strips and 1 wide one in between the 2 narrow ones. Those are the main culprits of 1 ton tubing rust. I wouldn't be too worried about this.
 
Oh yeah forgot to add: I've seen a lot worse.
 
I will definitely clean it up and see further what i have.

I was wondering if someone made a tube that was (best as i can describe it) cut in half so I can weld or bolt it around the current tube to strengthen the tube.

This axle is a true 1 ton out of a c30. and it is going into my 2005 chevy silverado (my current rear end is on its way out --10 bolt)

so the use of a truss- unless custom wont clear..

and just for informational purpose...the new spring perches will be far closer to the hubs ; i will be using disk brake
 
You won't need to modify the tubes in any way except if you're confident to weld the beads up like a pad and then smooth it out by grinding. Just becareful of the heat issues.

And don't reuse the same plates. Get some 3/4 ton plates which mount on top of the springs and use round bend u-bolts with the threads pointing up. This will eliminate any more rust problems on the lower half of the tubing.
 
In case you don't know you can remove all the rust with very little effort using electrolysis. Here's a guideline on how it works or you can just search for "rust removal using electrolysis". You can build a container out of scrap wood and line it with plastic.
 
Oh I dont plan on re-using much..

I have ORD's disk brake kit

Ruffstuff spectialties 14 bolt swap kit

thinking of getting DIY4X's "BackBone" truss (have to check for room)

and the pinion Guard if itll work with the BACKBONE..

After I remove the rust, even if the axle is A-OK with the pitting and rust on it, i think im gunna sleeve the area, just for peice of mind (and never know what can be put on those spots)
 
I've cut up a few axles like yours before--the tubes are a good 3/8 to 1/2" thick,so I wouldn't worry about one failing from rust...at most you might get a little seepage if a pit did make it that deep into the tubes....welding another peice to them may do more harm than good possibly,might warp them or weaken them more from being heated and cooled...
 
They all look like that around here, you have NOTHING to worry about.

Martin
 
Mine looked like that as well. Cleaned em up with a wire wheel on a drill and painted em up. Looked as bad as yours beforehand. Cane out much better after a good cleaning.
 
That is comforting that so many people have been successful with the axle regardless of rust..

I will just clean and paint it..


Secondary question: if i used the bolt on truss system, will that have any effect on the axle where it bolts around the tube?
 
Looking on Pirate 4x4, most everyone says to junk the axle since thats where perches will be removed and its only maybe 3/8" thick in that area on a well taken care of axle


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/gene...e-tube-massive-rust-pitting-worth-saving.html

this is what my tube looks like almost exaclty


they also say not to start welding in this area because the tube will warp and bend

dont really have the space to start over and my planned budget is is close to being empty (enough to maybe have the gears swapped and perches welded on)

ive looked online for housings but not enough budget for it ( there not a dime a dozen here-i just happen to get this from a friend)
 
I think you are making a big deal out of nothing. I work on axles all the time that look like that here. Especially on the 1988-'98 trucks. They have the same stupid upside down u-joints. Most of them are in farm trucks pulling overloaded goose neck stock trailers, and otherwise being abused.

Martin
 
your probably right.

Probably because i was reading from Pirate and half the people on there have endless budgets.


1354550680883.jpg



1354550633038.jpg


1354550671683.jpg



1354550650461.jpg



here are just a few more photos from today

I just dont want to go down the road with 33"/35" tires and romp on the throttle and and have the tube break is all

sometimes i think pirate is a love hate place...great info/ builds/ pics/ but sometimes over does things
 
RIPPEDK5 said:
your probably right.

Probably because i was reading from Pirate and half the people on there have endless budgets.


1354550680883.jpg



1354550633038.jpg


1354550671683.jpg



1354550650461.jpg



here are just a few more photos from today

I just dont want to go down the road with 33"/35" tires and romp on the throttle and and have the tube break is all

sometimes i think pirate is a love hate place...great info/ builds/ pics/ but sometimes over does things
Click to expand...



Your welds on your spring perches will fail before an axle tube snaps in half. a 14bolt laughs at your 33-35" tires...
 
thats probably true aswell,

the perches that are on there now are the stock ones


i am adding perches that are bigger and wider more toward the outer part of the axle
 
Even with that rust its still thicker than a half ton axle you replaced it
With. And twice As strong. I'd still run it and have no worries. Especially on 33-35 tires. You'd never break that on those even if you were jumping it. Lol. Not that I endorse that kinda thing.
 
should i just leave the old perches there if i have room for the new ones?
 
why would i be laughed at.....

theoretically not removing them would be kind of like a small tube support in that area?
 
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