Rear Axle Problem

[Taylormade]

I spent today taking the old tapered roller bearings off the rear axle. I had to split them to get them off and was very careful not to cut into the axle itself. Apparently the last person who performed this task wasn't as careful. After I got the bearings off and cleaned up the axles I discovered some shallow grooves that had obviously been cut into the axle some time in the past. I'm sure the axle is heat treated and I've always heard that cutting into the surface of a heat treated part can substantially weaken it. The deepest groove is perhaps 1/16 of an inch or less.

Do I have anything to worry about or are these axles still useable?

Thanks for any advice.

[keiser31]

I have a rear axle assembly from a CM6 Chrysler which is the same as my '31. If you know if they interchange with yours, you are welcome to them.

Edited May 11, 2014 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[MikeC5]

I would be concerned about fatigue cracking possibly starting at these notches. I wonder if they could be weld repaired?

[nearchoclatetown]

How long ago were the old bearings put on the car? If the axle lasted THAT long it will last that long again. If the cuts were around the diameter it MAY help the axle crack, lengthwise will not hurt. DO not weld them shut. IS it just the picture or did you heat the axle to discolor it he way it looks in your pics?

[Stevemo]

I think you are OK, the keyway in the shaft is much larger. I wonder what tool would have been able to make such a nice cut so many years ago.

Cheers, Steve

[Taylormade]

I didn't heat the axle - the coloration is, I believe, staining from old oil combined with surface rust. It cleans off with a little work. I don't know if they had cutting wheels in the fifties, but it's what the cuts look like they were made with.

keiser31, I sent you a PM.

Thanks for the comments and advice.

[keiser31]

Richard...this is what I found on the CM6 rear axle. I have the 30.25" item, but upon de-greasing found some shallow pockets in the tapered area. The other axle shaft tapered area is hammered where someone tried to remove it. I don't think I would use them. Sorry I could not help, but now you know for certain that the CM6 and DH6 axles will fit.

[keiser31]

Here is a shot of the other axle with the hammer marks....

[Taylormade]

Thanks John, too bad they were so far gone.

Anyone with any ideas on repairing what I've got? The one deep groove actually cuts across the surface of the outer seal. Is there any SAFE way to fill these grooves and then turn them down? I assume welding on an axle is a tricky process, but if there was a way to fill the grooves with a weld bead and then turn them down without warping or damaging the axle, I would think it would work. Would a small surface weld like that compromise the shaft?

[nearchoclatetown]

If the groove goes across the seal area check into a Speedy Sleeve at your local bearing house. I've used them in several applications both automotive and industrial and they work great.

[Taylormade]

Do you need any special tools to install them?

[nearchoclatetown]

No special tool. Google Speedy Sleeve, I looked at Sturdi Sleeve brand. They are a very thin sleeve of stainless steel with a curled lip on one end. It fits on the shaft VERY tightly by pushing or tapping with a piece of tubing. When in place the curled edge peels off with the thin sleeve remaining for the seal to run on. They are a common replacement item for worn harmonic balancers.

[Taylormade]

Problem solved (I hope) as I just purchased a NOS set of axles. I'll post pics when they arrive. Very excited as I soon should have one less problem to deal with.