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1997 - 2003 Ford F150 General discussion on the Ford 1997 - 2003 F150 truck.

axle problem

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Old Nov 19, 2012 | 08:17 PM
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Bruski
 
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From: Bowling Green, KY
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Quick question: If the hub ends of the rear axle shafts are bent, is it possible to get them straightened out?? The shaft itself isn't bent but the end where the wheel and rotor mount is. Don't have a pic but resembles something like this: (you can't tell in the pic so I improvised, bare with me and use your imagination)


/---------------O---------------\

Axle shafts are straight out of the diff but the hub ends are bent. Truck bottomed out real bad.
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Old Nov 19, 2012 | 08:30 PM
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no. you probably bent the tubes.
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Old Nov 19, 2012 | 09:06 PM
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You better look of a new housing. It's would be cheaper than retubing, unless you diy
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 05:02 AM
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The shafts are straight, you can visibly tell the hubs are bent though. Pulled the shafts and inspected them and took a square to them both. I've got new shafts on the way, a little over $100 a piece with new studs, seals and bearings. Definitely going to do it myself, save some cash to get the rest of the parts needed. I was just curious as to if they could be straightened for a spare set just incase.
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 01:27 PM
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I highly doubt, without a lathe, that you could true them up enough to reuse them. I'd still be worried about tube damage with what you are describing. I hope the best.

Good luck.
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 05:29 PM
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For some reason I thought your housing was bent not the shafts.
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 06:16 PM
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if it bent the axle shafts, it might have tweaked the housing also. I had the same thing happen.
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 06:36 PM
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Bottomed out? You must of hit some hard.
Id suggest checking berrings as well.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 02:11 AM
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Im replacing both shafts, bearings, seals and studs. Pretty much everything but the housing and ring and pinion. Hope the housing isn't bent, doesn't seem to be though. I didn't think the shafts could be straightened and if they could id imagine it would be expensive and probably weaken the shafts due to having to heat them up and true them back out.

I was coming around a turn and a tie rod end snapped and shot me into a culvert at about 45 mph. Ended up jumping it and bouncing around in the ditch for 100 ft or so.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Bruski13
Im replacing both shafts, bearings, seals and studs. Pretty much everything but the housing and ring and pinion. Hope the housing isn't bent, doesn't seem to be though. I didn't think the shafts could be straightened and if they could id imagine it would be expensive and probably weaken the shafts due to having to heat them up and true them back out.

I was coming around a turn and a tie rod end snapped and shot me into a culvert at about 45 mph. Ended up jumping it and bouncing around in the ditch for 100 ft or so.
Damn that sounds like a rough landing. I'm glad I wasn't with you. lol.

Before you put in the new bearings and seals, you should try installing the new shafts first. If they go in fine and turn ok, then go ahead and change out the bearings and seals. If you have a rubbing or binding then you'll know if you bent the tubes any. I'd hate to do the work and waste new bearings only to find tube damage. Just a thought before doing things more than once. Good luck.
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