Broken Axle

'17 Dort with broken axle. Is it okay to take a similar axle and machine it to fit? What are the problems? I don't know who made the rear end. If a new one must be made, what is the correct grade of steel? Will it need to be heat treated? Any thoughts or suggestions?

My Grandfather broke an axle in his (now my) '30 Pontiac in 1949. He had it hammerwelded by an old blacksmith. It was one of the most interesting things that I have ever seen, watching him test the type of steel on a grinder, find a matching bit, heat it in the forge and then weld it together with a trip hammer. sixty six years and 410,000 miles later it still works fine.

I would think with modern technology it would be simple to have an axle welded today.

I don't see why you couldn't machine a newer axle to fit. If it is a used axle be sure it came from the same side. After a while the metal takes a set, if you reverse the twisting action it is more likely to break.

Probably easier to take the broken axle to a competent machine shop and they will machine you a new one and have it heat treated to the correct temper.

It shouldn't be that expensive and you can install it and forget about it forever.

See "Dandy Dave making axles" in a previous thread.

Larry

Here are the links to Dandy Daves axle adventures.

http://forums.aaca.org/f115/cant-buy-make-1915-buick-axle-228330.html

http://forums.aaca.org/f169/making-axles-again-322685.html