Axle U-bolt groove

[Litdave]

I was just wondering. I am in the process of installing 5-lug disk on front of my 69 and swapping in a 5-lug rear on back.

My question is; so far I have pulled two different axles and both of them have (what looks to me pretty deep) grooves worn in the axle housing where the u-bolts hold it to the control arms.

Is this common? Is it a concern as for as weakening the axle? How thick is the axle housing?

I could fill in the groove with weld and grind it smooth but I am afraid that the welding would pull the axle tube out-of-line and give me bearing problems.

Any response would be appreciated.

Thanks, Litdave

[smokekiki]

I agree on the welding might warp the tubes.How deep when you put a straight edge across the tube?

[Litdave]

I just measured the groove.

It is about .080 deep at the worse point and about 9/16" wide.

It looks like the u-bolt was loose at one time and the rear end was moving around and the u-bolt wore the grove in it around the top half of the axle shaft.

Thanks, Litdave

[crazy longhorn]

those tubes are pretty thick(about 1/4"), I dont think you will have any troubles Good luck,crazyL

[Crank]

Just be patient, use water and make sure it doesnt warp. It should be alright.
Brandon

[Litdave]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I think I am going to try and weld it up very slowly to minimize any warping.

I was checking the straightness of the tubes with a straightedge and they seem to be bent slightlyl down. I always wondered if welding on spring perches would warp axle tubes and the way these are slighty bowed it looks like they did.

If all axles are slighty warped from welding on spring perches then maybe the alignment isn't that critical.

Thanks, Litdave

[loweredd]

I just cut the old spring perches off of mine and welded new ones on.....I wouldnt worry about warpage.....anyone that welds on an over the axle airbag mount welds right on the tubes, and I've NEVER heard of anyone with a problem.