Bent Front I Beam Axle - Fixable?

[pistolpete]

I have obtained a Model A front I beam real cheap to say the least, there appears to be a slight bend in it though. It's about 4-5" in (towards the centre) from the wishbone mounting hole. Is it possible to put this in a press and take the bend out of it, or what would the easiest way to straighten this axle be? or is there an "easy" way? The bend is just noticeable when you hold the axle up and look down the length of it.

I'm sure a picture would help, I'll try and snap one tonight when I get home and the kid is in bed.

 

[Bonehead]

I am sure it could be fixed, but it will be pretty hard to get it perfect.

 

[dmw56]

You can fix it or take it to a large truck repair shop they can fix them also.

 

[rainman]

They bend them to align them, I don't see why not. Just make sure you don't stress crack it!! Most old front ends have some slight bends in them, mine does, if it's not very bad you might not have to do anything to it!!

 

[zzrodder]

I fixed a 55 Chev pickup axle that had a serious bend in it from hitting something solid while being ditched (not me!!). I heated it up orange with the torch and straightened it in my press - let it cool slowly and it was fine, drove for many years on it after. The A axle is beam is much lighter than that 55 axle so it shouldn't be to tough to fix.

 

[rainman]

Can you post a pic of it??

 

[pistolpete]

Sorry for the delay, here are a couple pictures. Let me know what you think, is it usable or fixable?

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

If you were planning on having it dropped it could be fixed then...

 

[rainman]

If it were mine, I would use heat and fix it myself!!! Could use that same vise to do it!! If you do heat it make sure to spread the heat, (use a rose bud tip if you have it) and do not overheat one spot!! As mentioned earlier let it cool naturally!!

 

[pistolpete]

If you were planning on having it dropped it could be fixed then...

I am debating it, but I want to do things backwards and set up my rear first, so that I can make the front height match accordingly. I really only want 1" rake in the suspension, using a transverse T spring on a '40 rear axle. So depending on what spring and such I use upfront I am in the debate of maybe not dropping the axle at all...

I don't have torches myself right now, but am stealing a set from a buddy for a little while for some other projects, may give it a try. Any types to keeping the spindle mounts straight and at a matching angle?

 

[Bonehead]

Sure, run some tight fitting pipe, or wood dowels through the ends. then do all your measuring from a set measurement from center of the axle, and a set measurement up the shafts. You should be able to match the other side. Then sight across from one dowel to the other, and you will make them line up the same.

 

[rainman]

One other thing, if you do this yourself, figure out a way to check the camber angles on each side! If it were me, I would use a protractor, or you could use a level. Just try and make sure they're the same side to side!

 

[Paul_J]

Sure, run some tight fitting pipe, or wood dowels through the ends. then do all your measuring from a set measurement from center of the axle, and a set measurement up the shafts. You should be able to match the other side. Then sight across from one dowel to the other, and you will make them line up the same.

^^^^ This^^^^^^

 

[SteveG]

find an alignment shop that's been around forever. There's a good chance they'll have the equipment to fix it.

 

[moparcowboy]

take Boneheads and Rainmans advise and do it your self [

 

[billy]

take Boneheads and Rainmans advise and do it your self [

YEAH
AND IF YOU FIND IT IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS
then TAKE IT TO A SHOP

 

[pistolpete]

Been crunching some numbers suspension wise... thinking if I run a T spring with reverse eyes, I'll get about 4" drop in the rear. If I then run a 4" drop axle up front it will be about where I want it... so this one may be sent in as a core, or straightened and dropped all at the same time now.

Thanks for the advice though it's appreciated.

 

[chuckles]

another thing to think about.. If you have crowns in your roads, put 'caster spread'. in it..will track nice and straight.
out west the roads are flatter and you don't need it much...