f-ing hell, is this trashed?????

Ok, so i had pulled the rear end ('73 nova) back out from underneath the '53 chevy sedan....the pinion angle was WAY off with the original perches. like up 12 degrees!!!!

so i got some new weld on perches and hacked off the old perches.
that by it self was a chore....some gorilla weld **** on those perches....like 1-1/2" thick beads. nasty.

but anyways, get those cut off and start grinding/sanding down the old weld to prep the area to weld on my new perches.

underneath one of the booger welds i found this:



yes, that's a f*cking hole!
looks to me like they actually burned through the axle housing while welding the perches on....which also makes me ***ume the housing is warped.

am i on the right track?

i ask because i'm considering junking this rear and searching for a new one just to be safe. granted it's more money that i don't really have to spend, but i'm building this car on a deadline (Vegas bound in April for my wedding) and i don't want my f*cking axle to snap while doing 70mph!

am i over-thinking this?

let me know what you think.

thanks.

Chris

 

It looks like they got a little deep with the torch removing previous perches. Weld it up and smooth it off, shouldn't be a problem on a street car, probably wouldn't do to a race car.

 

Throw that **** away, that is a major week point in the drivetrain of your car. Personally I wouldn't put that under anything that I own. It may be a little more expensive, but I would start looking for a new housing.

 

4x4 s10 rears are $100 and parts are readily available. I'm going to get one this weekend, if it doesn't snow again. You can buy my 55 rear, but not yet.

 

I doubt its warped. I would weld it up and take the axels out and make shure it is clean of metal.

 

if you can find a new rear end--i used a 4X4 s-10 under mine 3:73 gear limited slip...Niiice!..Than i would do it..save your self the head aches and the tight *** hole all the way to vegas..aint worth the "what ifs" but really if you are skilled at welding you can save that axle. but if your on a time line I would opt for the go buy a better one and do it right so you know what you have back there..
good luck

 

Weld it up and forget it.

 

well, it seems the general advice is trash it.
i'm gonna have my welder/fab buddy come over tonight and check it out. i'm NOT the strongest welder yet....so i wouldn't trust my own skills with it.

yea, and as some of you guys said, i'm sure it could be welded up just fine....but i don't want to "find out" in the middle of nowhere on the way to vegas.

thanks everyone.

 

Weld it up. Don't waste your time and money. A good welder can make it as good as new.
Can anyone here show some pics of an axle tube that has broken do to a small imperfection like this? I doubt it.

 

weld it.

 

well, we will see what comes of my buddy checkin it out...and see what i can come across rear end wise....

thanks.

 

i think the shipping on that 55 rear of yours maybe be a little outta my range. hehe. but thanks.

 

Chris...I welded up a hole in a rear about that size. Lots of miles on that car now.

It's a good idea to change out the oil after welding on a rear anyways, but I'd definitely do it if you run that one.

Bryan

 

Geez you guys have a lot of money. or maybe I'd just rather put that hundred bucks into a flashy intake manifold or something.

 

The '57 rearend that I put in my '53 truck was rusted through at the perches. I just took a square piece of 12ga steel and welded it over the weak area, and reinstalled the perches. It has about 40K on it without any issues.

When installing the new perches, install the rearend in the car and set your pinion angle and check the side to side distances. Then weld them on.

 

cool. thanks man. i'd really rather not have to search out ANOTHER rear....this is the 3rd one i've been through...hehe.

thanks again man!

 

dang...thats cool.

yea, that's how i plan on setting up the perches and pinion angle.

thanks!

Chris

 

Damn, that's nothing, I've seen some nasty gashes on rear ends that have been welded up and are running in the cars years later, as long as your new perches have good penetration and are all lined up you'll be fine. Good luck man!

 

im sure it's fine. i'd weld up the hole and use it...

-scott noteboom

 

thanks man. that makes me feel TONS better!

later

chris

 

Weld it don't wase money on a new one, but if you decide not to fix it I want it

 

haha. yea, i'm gonna fill in the hole tonight and set it all up for the perches.

thanks.

 

Last time I said that the person used it.

 

I wouldn't think that concentrated area could possibly warp that housing. Just rock it. If you're worried, pull the C-clips, and see how freely the axles go in and out of the housing/side gears

 

I would be afraid that the axle ended up with chunks inside it and the gears-bearings are trash. Pull the axles and cover and have a look. I would weld it but for sure clean it out. Where are you in Texas? I'm in Kerrville. I can show you how to check an axle for warps and how to straighten it.

 

yea, i've had the cover off before and the gears look great. but i've never run the rear end.
but i have not pulled the axles. i do agrees with you on checking it all out if i plan on running it. thanks.
i'm down in Houston. yea, any info would be greatly appreciated!

thanks again!

Chris

 

I build rearend housings as a large part of my business in my fabrication shop, and I would weld it up and not worry about it. What I would worry about is that with all the cutting,welding and grinding you are doing, I GUARANTEE THAT YOR HOUSING IS WARPED!!!!! I have to straighten housings every day, and it amazes me that people don't realize what they are doing to their housings when they weld,grind or cut on them.

 

well, i will say that while i was cutting and grinding i usually do it in small intervals....i try really hard not to let it heat up too much.

i understand what you're saying...but as far as the cutting, grinding/sanding, welding..warping stuff.....how else do you do it....

JB weld and duct tape maybe?

hehe.

thanks for the input.

Chris

 

You said that the welds you cut off were 1 1/2" wide, so who ever welded it warped the housing I am sure. I would have it checked now, straightened, and when you are done with it, checked again. That is how I do it, I straighten them, weld,check, and straighten again.

 

I'd weld it. Is it gonna warp? Yeah, a bit. Everything you weld warps a bit. It wont warp enough to make a difference. I weld this kinda thing pretty often.
Weld it, save a hunnert bucks, and take your wife out for a nice dinner.