Axle tube replacement?

budgetracer · 01-17-2010, 09:14 PM

I bought a nasty looking 12 bolt. The tubes have brackets welded nasty. wrong location and all. I got a good deal so I want to put new tubes and replace everything. I have rebuilt many rears but never replaced axle tubes. How do I do this? Thanks in advance!

bob3240 · 01-17-2010, 09:42 PM

I did that recently. Saw the tubes off at the housing, carefully cut the inside of the tubes with a torch. cut 2 slots opposite each other without cutting into the housing. Also torch out the spotwelds in the housing. Then chisel out the segments in the housing. It's a pretty rough job! Then buy some tubing the correct dia. and wall thickness and cut them to length. The holes aren't a std. size so you will need to machine the ends of the tubes on a lathe to about .003" press. Heat the housing and then pound the tubes in and weld them in with nickel rod. Then you are ready to weld your brackets and ends on. Be certain of the length measurements. Bob Michael.

5413ss · 01-17-2010, 09:51 PM

I did the same thing, bought a camaro 12 bolt and the tubes were bent, torched though where the brackets were suppose to be. Anyway the spot welds on the case are some kind of Nickle or something, drill bit will not touch them. I ended up haveing a buddy with a mill and he milled them out or something, didn't cost me anything so that was cool. I think Currie will replace them check out their website.

Patrick

http://www.currieenterprises.com/CES...e.aspx?id=1190

budgetracer · 01-17-2010, 11:43 PM

I could cut and grind the brackets off. But it looks like chunks of bird doo around the brackets. I am going to cut them off and grind 1st after what all you folks suggested. I have nothing to loose. If its junk underneath-burned through what ever then I'll do the replacement tubes.

Tom Goldman · 01-18-2010, 09:29 AM

Blow out the welds with an Airarc torch or a plasma cutter, an accetyline torch will not cut the welds ..........I put a plate on the inside and push the stub out with a short hydraulic ram. ......Don't overheat the casting when you press in the tubes, 650 to700 deg is plenty. .....Tom

rx dealer · 01-18-2010, 10:06 AM

Replace both sides with chromoly tubing and brackets and have it TIG welded even if it's a street car... Luke

01-17-2010, 09:14 PM	#1
budgetracer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 30 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Axle tube replacement? I bought a nasty looking 12 bolt. The tubes have brackets welded nasty. wrong location and all. I got a good deal so I want to put new tubes and replace everything. I have rebuilt many rears but never replaced axle tubes. How do I do this? Thanks in advance!

01-17-2010, 09:42 PM	#2
bob3240 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: lebanon ohio Posts: 251 Likes: 3 Liked 16 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Axle tube replacement? I did that recently. Saw the tubes off at the housing, carefully cut the inside of the tubes with a torch. cut 2 slots opposite each other without cutting into the housing. Also torch out the spotwelds in the housing. Then chisel out the segments in the housing. It's a pretty rough job! Then buy some tubing the correct dia. and wall thickness and cut them to length. The holes aren't a std. size so you will need to machine the ends of the tubes on a lathe to about .003" press. Heat the housing and then pound the tubes in and weld them in with nickel rod. Then you are ready to weld your brackets and ends on. Be certain of the length measurements. Bob Michael.

01-17-2010, 09:51 PM	#3
5413ss Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 6 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Axle tube replacement? I did the same thing, bought a camaro 12 bolt and the tubes were bent, torched though where the brackets were suppose to be. Anyway the spot welds on the case are some kind of Nickle or something, drill bit will not touch them. I ended up haveing a buddy with a mill and he milled them out or something, didn't cost me anything so that was cool. I think Currie will replace them check out their website. Patrick http://www.currieenterprises.com/CES...e.aspx?id=1190 __________________ Patrick McGrath

01-17-2010, 11:43 PM	#4
budgetracer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 30 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Axle tube replacement? I could cut and grind the brackets off. But it looks like chunks of bird doo around the brackets. I am going to cut them off and grind 1st after what all you folks suggested. I have nothing to loose. If its junk underneath-burned through what ever then I'll do the replacement tubes.

01-18-2010, 09:29 AM	#5
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,473 Likes: 879 Liked 858 Times in 234 Posts	Re: Axle tube replacement? Blow out the welds with an Airarc torch or a plasma cutter, an accetyline torch will not cut the welds ..........I put a plate on the inside and push the stub out with a short hydraulic ram. ......Don't overheat the casting when you press in the tubes, 650 to700 deg is plenty. .....Tom __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

01-18-2010, 10:06 AM	#6
rx dealer Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lake Orion, Michigan Posts: 337 Likes: 12 Liked 53 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Axle tube replacement? Replace both sides with chromoly tubing and brackets and have it TIG welded even if it's a street car... Luke