Damaged Axle during bearing replacement

[tjdriscoll]

I need help folks. I accidentally cut in to my axle while removing the old bearing race. Can I keep using it as is or am I SOL and need to replace the axle? The cut is at least 1/16" deep and is under where the tapered bearing race gets pressed on. See the photos I attached. The good news (I guess) is that I only did this to one of them.

'68 Charger; Dana 60

 

[Sam69sat]

I would run it.

 

[toolmanmike]

Just my opinion, as long as it isn't in the sealing area you should be ok with the thought that is just a street cruiser or a show type car. If it were a race car of any sort, it needs to be replaced. Any gash like that can weaken the axle if used or abused hard if you catch my drift.

 

[tjdriscoll]

Just my opinion, as long as it isn't in the sealing area you should be ok with the thought that is just a street cruiser or a show type car. If it were a race car of any sort, it needs to be replaced. Any gash like that can weaken the axle if used or abused hard if you catch my drift.

This is a street car / cruiser. Not doing any racing with it. Might spin the tires once in a while but that's it.

 

[dadsbee]

In the words of Sholtz.... ah, you're only 36 so maybe I need to quote it.. "I see nothing"!

 

[R413]

When it breaks and the wheel comes off would that make your day or ruin it?

Bad things do happen. I wouldn't run that

 

[493 Mike]

JB Weld to the rescue!
Mike

 

[Fran Blacker]

See^^^^

 

[RJ Squirrel]

I have nicked them before doing that on offroad rigs that take a beating and never had a problem.

 

[hofferwood]

I'd just knock the sharp edges off and------------run it.

 

[steve340]

It may take years but it could eventually shear off
$200 dollar axle or $75,000 car.
I know what way I would go.

 

[68-500]

At minimum round the sharp edges. I would probably find a replacement.

 

[Sam69sat]

This would make a great experiment if someone took this axle and another without a knick and had a way to measure the amount of twist it took to shear them off. I bet there woudln't be much difference. Paging @RJRENTON

 

[Lefty71]

Let us know how it works out....i wouldnt be able to put it out of my head everytime i drove the car.

 

[33 IMP]

I'd research how hard it is to find a replacement, and how much it would cost. Then make decision off that info.
Since I'm betting the scar is exactly where the new bearing will be..... I'd smooth the edges, give it a light polish.... and run it.

 

[steve340]

It is hard to know if it would fail. Could last a lifetime or it could fail next weekend - no one really knows. That place is a high stress point of the axle - every bump and pothole will be working away on that nick. That is were the problem will come from not power or axle twisting. But if it failed were the nick is the wheel would part company from the car and that would not be good at highway speeds.
For that reason alone I am recommending play it safe.
Replace the axle. If it were mine that is what I would do, other folks would clearly take a chance but I would be to scared of the outcome if the axle failed on that spot.
Stress cracks in critical areas have brought down airliners.

 

[493 Mike]

That press on bearing would go a long way to strengthen the axle.
Mike

 

[MarPar]

Could it be welded up and ground smooth?

 

[RJRENTON]

Could it be welded up and ground smooth?

IMO.....I'd replace the axle assembly. As far as performing a weld repair, what is the base metal? It is likely to be a cold rolled alloy steel, not likely 1010, 1045 or 1050, maybe its 4140, 4150, 8650 chrome molly, probably heat treated to make it resistant to twist (torsion). First commandment of welding....thou shall NOT weld to cold rolled steel, as it changes the grain structure and carbon content of the base metal. Not knowing what the original material is dangerous to assume what it is and superfluous considering what the consequences are......just my opinion.....others may disagree.......
BOB RENTON

 

[R413]

Sell/trade/give it to someone who says "run it", and let them be the Guinea pig.

Or did they mean YOU should run it but they wouldn't?