cleaning axles?

[tecky11]

moderators, sorry if i put this in the wrong spot, just redirect and let me know.

Everyone else what is the best way to clean road grime off of a 32 year old axel?

[N2TRUX]

Pressure washing is a good start. From there sand blasting gets the axle nice and clean. A good coat of primer, followed by your color of choice and your set to go.

[tecky11]

only problem is it is still attached to the truck

[N2TRUX]

Unbolt the track bar, and jack the truck up as high as possible. Get some Goggles, a poncho and get busy...

[Houston54]

A knotted wire wheel on an angle grinder works well on the solid crud that powerwashing can't get off. Wear a faceshield, gloves and ear protection though as those wheels like to shed. You will need a bath afterwards.

If you want it spotless you will probably have to remove it from the chassis but that is pretty easy. The hardest part is re-bleeding the brake lines when you put it back in.

[combustion]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Unbolt the track bar, and jack the truck up as high as possible. Get some Goggles, a poncho and get busy...

hahah there you go. nothing fancy.

[tecky11]

what is a trackbar

[72BlckButy]

Now... oven cleaner will teardown grease, but you have to be careful where you apply it.

Does anyone know how simple green will do on grease? I doubt that it is strong enough... but wanted to throw it out there as it's a great cleaning solvent and fairly harmless.

[Shane]

Gunk Engine Cleaner does a pretty good job if you don't want to use something as strong as oven cleaner. Spray it on, then drive down to the local "you-wash-it" car wash ... use the hot soap and then rinse.

[N2TRUX]

Oven cleaner works well but is very caustic and I don't recommend it as it is too easy to get it where it shouldn't be.

Shane is correct. I have used Gunk brand "Engine-Brite" with great success. The only caveat is it really needs the pressure and hot water from the quarter car wash. Doing it the drieveway with cold water and hose pressure is not very effective.

[tecky11]

how about cold water with a 3000 psi pressure washer

[Shane]

you gotta put something on it to break down the grease chemically or you are just gonna smear it around more ...

[protrash64]

I use Oil Eater. It can be cut or used full strength. It does a good job but you will still need to remove the heaviest crud with a scraper, wire wheel, or pressure was h it e few times. Afterward, you can use the Oil Eater to wash your clothes.......

[scotts62]

Superclean at your local Oreillys and then to a car wash works really good.

[tecky11]

awsome, thanks !!!

[willyCJ]

I've always done well using Purple Power. Most of the other suggested products are pretty environmentally unfriendly. Purple Power (and Simple Green) break down and can go down the drain.

I've used the Engine Brite products before. They work, but I'm just as happy using more Purple Power.

I've also had success blasting grease with brake cleaner. You'll go through quite a bit of it, but it does well in welded joints where its just awkward to get in the spot. I'm not sure if it dissolves the grease or just blasts it away. Either way, it gets grease off the part.