Has anyone tried to straighten an axle tube?

[skylark]

My 800 burb was recently put in a ditch on the left side. Unfortunately the front of the frame is tweaked and it is just outside of being alignable.

The rear axle shaft is bent and the housing has a 2 degree upward bend between the wheel and the coil spring. I'm thinking about driving it up on my trailer, removing the wheel and chaining the housing right behind the flange and jacking up right where I believe the bend is at.

I really don't want to send it down the insurance route because I know that it will be totalled. I'm wanting to patch it for as little as possible. I'm 99% certain that I have an axle shaft.

 

[Erik the Awful]

Chevys are common and cheap enough that you shouldn't be trying to straighten it. Get a treasure yard axle and swap the whole assembly.

 

[Scooterwrench]

I straightened the rear end on a IH scout years ago only because finding a used housing was impossible. It was no picnic!!! I 2nd the salvage yard route!

 

[Supercharged111]

I put some camber and toe into my Camaro a couple years back with a rosebud, it shrunk more when it cooled.

 

[Scooterwrench]

I put some camber and toe into my Camaro a couple years back with a rosebud, it shrunk more when it cooled.

Old circle track trick!!

 

[skylark]

Chevys are common and cheap enough that you shouldn't be trying to straighten it. Get a treasure yard axle and swap the whole assembly.

Honestly, I'm trying to just limp it along until we're done with another project. I need a 4x4 that can tow short distance (15 miles) and I'm looking at $4-500 that I'd rather keep with sweat equity.

 

[Scooterwrench]

If the housing is not too bent stick that straight axle in it and carry on.

 

[skylark]

If the housing is not too bent stick that straight axle in it and carry on.

According to my angle finder is is 2 degrees upwards.

 

[GrimsterGMC]

It's only going to be affected where the axle goes into the spider gear, so a bit of wear on the axle splines at worst and that will take a while so I don't think it will be an issue to you.

 

[Erik the Awful]

According to my angle finder is is 2 degrees upwards.

That's what RX-7 guys used to aim for when cambering their rear axles. I think you'll be okay limping it for a while.