Hot Rods Cast VS Forged axle in an A

Would you use a cast 4" drop drilled axle in an A with a flatty ? I though it was a forged till I saw the narrow 1/8" seam. All my 32's have forged axles.

 

Just the fact that you are asking the question suggests to me that you already know the answer

 

Run Forest, run... away from that axel as fast as you can!

 

Death wish, if you check my p*** posts you will see what may await you. Photos included. Not a pleasant experience.

 

I bought it from someone Yes I know but didn't see it. Told me he was told it was forged Lesson learned again !

 

I prefer a Forged axle, if it was good enough for Henry it's good enough for me.

There are thousands of cast axles under street rods and they all don't break but again, I only want forged. HRP

 

Hard for me to understand why someone would even produce a cast axle.

 

Yep, why take the chance?

 

NOPE Smarter than that

 

I have sold many 100's of P&J's cast axles with not a single problem. When Forged axle became easier to get I switched to them. Forged is always better and in the last few years P&J's has started manufacturing a forged axle using the old CE fixtures which they completely reworked. I did have a customer break a cast axle which was furnished to me by Speedway for a build for I did for them but it was not a P&J axle

 

Send one of Henry's axles to Greg, Andy, or Joe.

I do have to admit being a little impressed with Super Bell after seeing the severely mangled; but unbroken axle out of Adam Bateman's sedan.

 

some cast axles [Johnny law motors] are illegal to use in NZ

https://www.lvvta.org.nz/do***ents/...andard_Aftermarket_Cast-iron_I-beam_Axles.pdf

 

I have a question , I know the answer but would like some clarity .

I know forged is stronger than cast , but can you not buy “Good cast” parts also ? As Krylon stated and as I’ve seen in the forklift and heaven equipment industry .


Steer axles have pretty much gone from welded steel frames to welded cast frames .


Still plenty strong , until you blow out a king pin and need it repaired . Only one shop in town that can weld and repair cast with any type of guarantee and engineering behind it . Raises the cost of repair .

but as far as steer axles snapping / braking etc . Nope . To add these are all from oem supppliers . Not aftermarket .

 

I'm no metallurgical genius, but I think when most folks hear the word cast, they immediately think of cast iron maybe?

 

There's a difference between cast IRON and cast STEEL. Steel is tougher than iron, but not nearly as strong as FORGED steel. Choose wisely.... "the life you save may be your own" and "leave your blood at the Red Cross.... NOT on the highway".. (who did I quote there?)

 

All those Hoffmann Co axles along with the various cheap ebay axles are scary just looking at them.

 

The cast axle are ductile iron also known as modular iron, which has a greater yield strength than cast steel. Super Bell ( now owned by Pete & Jakes) has made them for years and are easy to identify. If you use a cast that’s the one to get. Back in the 90’s and early 2000’s it was hard to find someone to drop and axle, and the Ch***is Engineering forged ones were only available at certain times dependent on their foundry.

 

It might be like that old wiseguy saying, F O R D found on the road dead

 

I would buy forged because if you need to have it bent to correct alignment issues... I wouldn't try to bend a cast one....

 

I've never used the term scary, ugly was enough for me. The Hoffman axle looks like a kid with a rudimentary knowledge of CAD designed it.

 

Your typo applies to cast hot rod axles failing on the freeway. Can't recall any forklifts or tractors from my shop hitting 55+ mph though that would be something to see.

 

Well, some food for thought. My old Case 580 CK Backhoe, had a cast mount setup that the bucket, arms, controls all mounted to. That whole contraption probably weighed as much as a Model A. In the “highway “ gear, it’d do 30/35 MPH. Bounce your *** around the whole ride, tires are the rear suspension for tractors.
Nothing broke, cracked, etc on the mounts.
***ume it was cast steel, not iron, don’t know.
But can say castings can be strong. That said, in todays world, I’d look into a Henry axle that would fit the bill and have it dropped, even before buying a new “dropped forged axle”.

 

Forged axles are the best. Cast steel axles may be adequate, cast iron axles probably not.

The main difference between cast and forged parts is the grain flow in the steel is optimized for its for the stresses it needs to take. Cast steel is not, which is why so many stressed parts are forged (con rods).

The other not insignificant factor is that you can get hidden defects in cast parts (porosity) that are not visible from the outside. if this is in a critical area can result in catastrophic failure. Critical cast parts should be x-rayed or ultrasonically tested..

Cast iron is OK only if its designed to be a cast part from the outset and not to try and duplicate the shape of a forged part. Porosity issues are still a concern.

Its about making an informed choice.

Would I run a cast axle steel axle...... possibly. but I may get it tested first and would certainly not contemplate drilling it full of holes for looks.

Also one last thought.... any potential for failure is made worse if the parts are chrome plated.

 

Now if you have one of them "purdy" chrome axles and it's cast steel, chrome embrittlement can make the situation even worse

 

Broderick Crawford. Highway Patrol.

 

I posted a thread some time back about an axle I took in on a trade for a gas tank at a swap meet some time back. I didn't bother to take it out of the plastic till some time later and discovered this. The guys on Hamb had a lot of suggestions what to use it for but none had anything to do with putting under any car. To be fair the guy who I traded it to me most likely didn't bother to check it out either. Another Hamber posted a disturbing picture of a broken axle under his car.

 

^ That would be rejected if it was a foundry making cast iron frying pans!

(Of course it is the cl***ic Hoffman quality. Gotta love the perch bosses )

 

I have one now ( in car) that not sure if cast iron steel or forged , Did a drill test ,
slivers from flutes , not powder ,
& No name & dont see any markings to identify maker

 

The NZ safety alert is so good it deserves to be posted here, not just linked: