how bad is too bad when salvaging an axle?

[SgtHighway]

Hey guys, in Western New York, and would appreciate some input from my fellow rust warriors... how much rust on the outside of an axle makes in unsalvageable?

attached is a specific axle I'm looking at... but feel free to generally discuss, or post pics of axles you've found, restored, have questions about. I know for us Northern guys we have to make do, but how far is too far?

EDIT: the axle in question is a GM spec D60

 

[sweetk30]

not bad at all. dust shields are still on the brakes.

seen and used a lot worse to the point the cover was rusted off them .

 

[wage92]

yea seems good to me, just inspect it in person to be sure there are not any spots near the u-bolts that are rotted through, looks pretty surfacy to me.

 

[paratrooper307]

Hit it with the wire wheel and some paint, and it will look good as new. Now those tie rod ends may or may not come out of the rod, but that's a minor issue.

 

[AJs72K5]

I realize you said condition of the outside, but, biggest factor for me would be the condition of the ring and pinion. If they're rusty and pitted...move on. Just about everything else can be cleaned up in some manner. Really depends on how much time you wanna spend on it.

 

[SgtHighway]

Thanks guys, taking a huge load off.

And I'm regearing to 5.13s so even the ring and pinion are being tossed. I basically need a good housing, knuckles, carrier, shafts and hubs.

 

[rebelgregory]

Strip it down and sandblast it or take it to a sandblaster. Mine wasn't quite as rusty but still rough. All parts were good though. Sandblasted and rebuilt before and after: