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Front axle straitening help
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 10:50 am
by Wkndead
Would like to know if there is anyone in my area or near by that can check and straiten if needed my 22 front axel. Read all the info in the forum but would rather have someone that has done this before do it. Thanks. Email with any information.
Re: Front axle straitening help
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 11:25 am
by Dropacent
Richard , it’s best to straighten an axle as a bare forging, and lots of archival info on that method. If you aren’t willing to take it all apart, here you go. This got me in the ballpark, and will work until I do take it all apart. A good friend noticed a bend on my axle , probably from someone with a tow strap. I would get an occasional death wobble, even though every bushing and ball joint had been addressed. Toe-in was checked after straightening and right on now, no more death wobble.
A bottle Jack, a chain and a long straightedge, worked for gramps, it worked for me.
Re: Front axle straitening help
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 11:29 am
by speedytinc
Curious. Was the toe in checked before straightening? Was straightening really necessary? Just a curious thought?
Re: Front axle straitening help
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 11:33 am
by Dropacent
Yes, and yes, it got worse after straightening. It was visibly bent and I never noticed it. Thanks again, Joe A. , it did the trick.
Re: Front axle straitening help
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 2:04 pm
by John.Zibell
You might want to check with the folks at Lang's. They are relatively close and may be able to help you.
Re: Front axle straitening help
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 2:58 pm
by J1MGOLDEN
You don't bend the axle to correct the toe in.
You just adjust the passenger side of the tie rod end.
Re: Front axle straitening help
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 4:01 pm
by speedytinc
J1MGOLDEN wrote: ↑Mon Sep 20, 2021 2:58 pm
You don't bend the axle to correct the toe in.
You just adjust the passenger side of the tie rod end.
I am very aware of this. Actually you loosen the passenger side yolk pinch bolt & turn the driver side yolk & tie rod to make the change.(a bit less work)
My curiosity refers to the pertinence of a perfectly straight axle & the death wobble if thats the only factor & assuming excess steering slop, camber, caster, and toe in(accurately checked) are in spec.
Re: Front axle straitening help
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 7:57 pm
by Dropacent
The toe-in was off just a smidgen before the axle straightening by eyeball/straightedge. After straightening it was off about a 1/2” , which would be expected. So then I brought it to where it should be. Been great since.
When building a car, it’s a lot easier to straighten a naked axle first, fer sure!