Is my axle tube coming out of the pumkin?

[14-Bolt]

My truck had a little clunk when shifting but the sprag was also out. Will know more when I get t case bacl in. But looked and noticed fresh looking steel tube with no paint and it looks kimd of seperated. Is this normal looking?

Pics are fron and back of pass side tube, 14 bolt rear.po

 

[NorCal_Chris]

looks normal to me. the tubes taper down before they go into the housing. gives the appearance that they are not in all the way.

 

[bot0611]

I see a similar thing in my 10 bolt front, but still cant ir really happen??? i mean its pretty much a tight fit si what force would cause it besides pulling it

 

[4X4HIGH]

The axle tubes do neck down before they are pressed into the pumpkin BUT that tube does look like it has moved outward about 1/4" or so judging by the grime on the pumpkin versus the grime on the tube further away from the pumpkin. The tubes are pressed in then plug welded on either side of the pumpkin so you might also look at those plug welds to see if anything looks different there. The other thing you could do is take a measurement from wheel mount surface to wheel mount surface and see if it matches what it should be.

 

[76zimmer]

The axle tubes do neck down before they are pressed into the pumpkin BUT that tube does look like it has moved outward about 1/4" or so judging by the grime on the pumpkin versus the grime on the tube further away from the pumpkin. The tubes are pressed in then plug welded on either side of the pumpkin so you might also look at those plug welds to see if anything looks different there. The other thing you could do is take a measurement from wheel mount surface to wheel mount surface and see if it matches what it should be.

Ditto....the "newer exposed steel" tells the story

 

[Fordum]

Had the same thing happen to a Ford 9 inch on my old truck.
It kept leaking around where the tube went in, and I kept taking it back under warranty.
They finally got the leak stopped, and about 2 years later, I was under checking on things and saw where the tube had slid out about two inches, taking all the black silicone rubber they had put on it with it!!

I jacked it up on the chunk, put a big block of wood on the center of the axle, and whammed it with a big sledge until it went back in.
Then drove carefully and nervously to a friend's welding shop.

We pulled the axles and chunk, ground off all the old weld after marking the tube and chunk using the old weld marks to be sure.

He rewelded it, plus welded a 3/4 inch thick plate on the bottom of the housing. Ground the edges tapered so they would not hang up on stumps, and then drilled and tapped a hole up through the bottom.
Put an Allen head recessed plug in, and put it all back together.

Wound up with a good rear end, plus a drain plug for changing the grease like I do every year.

 

[14-Bolt]

the exposed steel is what got me concerned. Found another 14 bolt for $50 few days ago, not ready to put one in now, to damn heavy to move around in and out of my trailer. We'll see, might snatch it up. Plug welds look normal, if I can take off backing plate and whack it with a sledge and weld it up I may try that first. Thanks dudes

 

[gone huntin]

I have three 14 bolts and all of them have a bigger gap on the passenger side than on the driver's side. I'm not saying yours hasn't moved, but don't just base it on the driver's side.

 

[Fordum]

You could always mark it with a permanent felt tip, and then go out and do a few donuts. I don't think the whole thing is likely to come out because the leaf spring will not shift that far. At least not under regular road loading. If you hit something sideways hard enough, the shackles will give.
Course if it does, then you have proof.

Otherwise, if the mark moves then you also know for sure.

 

[Blue85]

More than the fresh metal, I'm concerned that this axle has run over some creepy looking guy.

 

[nvrenuf]

You could always mark it with a permanent felt tip, and then go out and do a few donuts. I don't think the whole thing is likely to come out because the leaf spring will not shift that far. At least not under regular road loading. If you hit something sideways hard enough, the shackles will give.
Course if it does, then you have proof.

Otherwise, if the mark moves then you also know for sure.

This ^

I'd clean it really good and paint a white/yellow/gray spot or line across the tube & diff and do a couple of quick forward and reverse clutch dumps/mild burnouts in the driveway. If it's loose it shouldn't take much to make a crack line in the paint.

 

[14-Bolt]

When I get doubler in and truck back together I.ll have to paint it and drive it some
Gone hunting do your 14 bolts look kind of similar pass side? Great ideas thanks dudes

 

[gone huntin]

Mine have a larger gap on the right side than on the left side, but I don't have any bare metal showing. I painted my axles when I installed them.

 

[cuervo]

More than the fresh metal, I'm concerned that this axle has run over some creepy looking guy.

We should call the cops on the truck!

 

[Cornfield creations]

Try measuring the backing plate mount to the pumpkin and compare to anther 14 bolt. I am sure that would tell you without tearing into anything.