How to tell bent axle 9 inch Ford?

Hey all,

Pulling my backing plates yesterday so I can prep for my weld on disc brackets, I noticed that the p***enger side axle seems to look like it's headed left from top to bottom. It's odd, if you roll the axle on the floor, it seems to roll true with no lumps or odd wobbles, but when you stare at it it looks off. I even asked my wife down to the shop in fear I was workin too long and seein things, and she agreed that something didn't look right. She, however, describes it not as a clear bent, but more of an inconsistancy in shaping from top to bottom. It is the old, big bearing style, and the rear came from a 1965 Thunderbird. It is a rare rear, as it has 11 inch by 2 and 1/2 inch shoes and drums, and let me tell you that extra 1/4 inch on brake pad cost another 250 bucks in parts; so bye, bye to drum brakes and hello to dirt track weld on discs. Anyway, sorry to blab. My question is: are 9 inch Ford axle just "like this," has anyone else ever thought this when ulling axles? I am thinking that maybe they cast them with less concern for the beefier size of the axle shaft and just center and balance the lug and pinion sides? Something looks wrong, and I accept where ther is smoke, there is often fire, but it rolls straight. I should mention that the other axle seems straight but it is shorter, and if youy focus on it long enough you can see inconsitsancies in the shorter axle also. All and any responses would be appreciated.

Porkchop

 

The easiest way to see if true is to stick it in a lathe, you've probably thought of that and don't have one handy. The bearing, is it a cone type with a seperate race? If it is a 1 piece bearing and the axle slides into the bearing house without sigificant resistance then it is true. If the axle were bent, or the axle tube bent you'll have to force the axle in. The induction hardening process leaves variations to the axle texture, they all look different and yet the same.

 

sounds like an optical dillusion....haha...Set up and start taking measurements from a fixed point..Ie, the floor, rotate the housing on a set of jackstands while measuring to that "fixed" point

 

Take the lug area out of the mix. Roll it on a bench with the lug side hanging off, might show the bad spot better.