Bead Blasting an Axle

[BGKYK5]

I am finally getting around to building my D60. To clean it up I was planning on bead blasting it (as opposed to using a wire wheel like I did on the 14BFF ). I am thinking it would be better to blast it fully assembled to keep the media out of the housing/hubs/etc. The rotors are trash so I don't mind blasting them (they'll be replaced anyway). I doubt I'll do any damage with my HF blaster.

Opinions?

 

[4X4HIGH]

Do you plan to take the axle apart after blasting? I can tell you the blasting media seems to find it's way in no matter what you do to try and keep it out. If you do plan on taking it apart afterwards to rebuild or whatever then i say blast before you take it apart.

 

[BGKYK5]

Yes, I'll be taking it all apart after the bead blasting.

 

[shaun89]

r u replacing everything? like king pins/bushings/bearings/seals etc?i think if ur re building the axle that far, just take everything apart and slid out the shafts, then plug up the housing with a oily cloth to catch any beads/crap,so the diff is safe from everything, then u can blast it. and blast the knuckles separate. ive seen a couple of people do that way. worked out good.

 

[BGKYK5]

I plan to replace all wear items.

 

[shaun89]

I plan to replace all wear items.

o ok, ya, id just tear the whole axle down and just plug the axle tubes up. and blast away. ull get all spots on the knuckles behind the rotors and hubs if u tear it completely down...im actually doing the samething u r right now, but im stuck wire wheeling it...cant wait...mmm D60...

 

[ryoken]

thats the way I did mine... gutted it, put an old cover on it, plugged the vent and tubes, blasted it.. then smoothed all the hittable surfaces with flaps, rolocs, DA, etc... zinc, epoxy.....

my freakin axles are smoother than my hood...

 

[SnackPack]

I'm building my 60 right now... It came to me pretty much disassembled, so I cleaned the housing with my angle grinder and a wire wheel. It turned out pretty nice, especially after paint. I took the rest of the parts to a friend who runs a sandblasting shop... I recommend doing the knuckles and other pieces individually since there's a lot of nooks and crannies that wouldn't be blasted otherwise.

 

[BGKYK5]

Sounds like a plan, disassembly starts tonight.

 

[SnackPack]

Sounds like a plan, disassembly starts tonight.

I'll race ya! Although I'm a little further along.... I'm still waiting on some parts.

 

[BGKYK5]

You would probably win even if I had the head start.

I'm hoping to have it done by New Year's.