Technical Super Bell Axle Kingpin Bore Issue

Finally received my chromed Super Bell Drilled I-Beam axle for my car 32 roadster project after months of waiting due to being backordered I noticed the kingpin bore on the drivers side is quite a bit off center compared to the p***enger side. See pictures.

Outside of camber adjustment issues, I’m concerned that will be a weak spot in the axle. Is this misaligned off center bore issue common? Kind of disappointed as it was very expensive and I had to wait so long. I replaced a cheap I-Beam axle with this one.

what do you think about it? I sent a note to Super Bell as well.

First picture is the off center bore on the driver’s side and the next picture is the p***enger side.

 

I would not accept that. Driver's side looks dangerously thin, p*** side pretty sloppy.

 

I'd encourage you to call Jason at Pete & Jakes.

 

Stuff like that is over my head, but I wouldn't like that. Interested to see what they say.

Makes a real case for taking stuff apart and inspecting right away.

 

I sent him a note. He’s been helpful before. Thanks

 

Since the obvious answers have already been added I do have a question. Is this axle for early ford spindles or something else?

 

Yes sir

 

Yikes !

 

Just curious Did it come from S-B directly, ?

 

Hmm...interesting. Hope you can get it rectified.

 

It did

 

I wonder how the king pin fits the axle being the offset bore ??

 

Me too!

 

Jason responded:

I have seen this through the years. During the forging process and cooling, sometimes the axles will move (known as shift). This creates the centerline of the axle to change slightly, whether vertically or horizontally. The part is so long and gets so hot during the multiple strikes it takes to make the axle. It starts out as a 3” diameter solid bar, then the drop gets formed first with a forming die. Then shaped, lastly trimmed. Next step is machining…so when the axles are then put in the cnc for machining, the centerline is found within the forging. Which can create what appears to be an offset center. But yet the alignment of the axle is still true.

Strength of the axle is not an issue at all….this is a US forging that is made in Ohio. Same company doing forgings on this axle since the early 80’s.

Doing these axles for so many years, we design a “larger” than necessary end on the axle to allow for any forging shift. Although this is not very common, we still design them this way.

 

So its Mint !

 

I thought Super Bell axles were cast ductile iron. I've had a couple.

Gary

 

Forged not cast

 

Right?!

 

Those pictures look like something that came out of China! IMO I wouldn't accept it! 60 Special

 

You can trust what Jason tells you!!!

 

I'd take it apart, find an open space, draw some reference lines, laid flat with some fitted dowling protruding compare notes on any deviations. I'm sure Jason is a nice guy like Nixon wasn't a crook. That's to suggest you spent good money and expected better, and the story doesn't excuse the quality you expectedly paid for.
Right now all you have is, "I don't like it", and that apparently isn't good enough.


Holes should be centered. Missed it by that much is what they did. Opps, that day Jimmy wore loafers instead of work boots to hold his end while it was being drilled in the press, missed it by that much?



My stocker doesn't compare to chrome fancy...but the hole is where it's supposed to be. LIke buying a colt sired from the best stallion, only do find it's got one leg pointed funny. That's why I think it should be returned.

 

Is it just me or does it look like it will position one wheel a little further in front on the other relative to the axle?

 

Definitely a defective forging, return it for replacement. Don't accept the excuse you've been offered.

 

Return for replacement or refund.

 

+1:

 

I think I have to side with @NoelC , I’d expect better. Think about how many early Ford beam axles were produced, has anyone ever seen one that bad?

 

I say send it back for a replacement. You said you spent good money for it and deserve for it to be to your satisfaction. The time spent waiting you'll never get back but always having the thought in your head knowing its not right would be worse.

 

Doesn't seem to be the quality expected of a top end product that is deserving of the expensive prep & chrome plating, it would seem the final shaping of the solid bar in its raw form at least on the end areas would be trimmed after the k.p. boring to ensure plenty of material totally surrounds the bore. I would surmise the best defense while difficult, is to visit the store & pick the axle of your choice or request photos of the critical areas & finish etc.

 

This kind of thing was an issue with old BB mopar rods. The pin hole was not always perfectly centered in the center of the part. While I didn't see or hear of the pins pulling through it was sloppy m*** produced work.
I understand the description (apology) of the process, and it may well be strong enough to run. However I feel this is a Quality ***urance fault in the manufacturing process. It would be a short, simple step to drop the unmachined axle into a jig that spots the kingpin locations. If they do not p*** this, either bend to align or move this to the 'blem' pile. Does every forged part come out good enough in every crucial dimension after cooling? Is there a straightening process already at this point in manufacture?
Having it go through machining, polish and plating then sold as a premium product is sad. I bet they do not have a picture of this on the sales site and explain that you may receive one like this and 'it's no big deal'! I do expect to hand select 2x4 lumber at the local big box store. I do not expect (and I bet they don't allow) having to do this at a rod shop.

 

I bet the guy that sold it and says it ok would not accept it if it was his money on the counter.