I heard the exact same thing from my uncle's milkman's cousin who got a letter from a friend somewhere in the midwest. Thank you for posting this. You may save a life. (too much saracasm?)
just in case some people might be missing the point...(seems that way with some of the replies) that axle might have been able to be twisted like a pretzel too with out incident....Before it got Chromed... that broken axle can be tested for Hydrogen embrittlement..and if the case is that it was affected by that, there in lies the reason it snaped, not because of any other reason..(very likely and very possible) I would be very interested in seeing the facts on this axle. after it has been tested. and it could also wake up who ever chromed it, as to the liabilities involved even forged, and Henrys steel could be ruined by Hydrogen Embrittlement and snap if it were to be chromed and not properly delt with, and knowing the properties that are messed with in the process of chroming..just my 2 bits None of my suspension parts are chrome...its just how I roll. and im not fond of S.S. as suspension parts either..they have a tendancy to work harden and snap too.. pretty isnt necessarily safe..if not done properly
so are you claiming that the best way to chrome an axle is in a can? I understand what your saying. Un-chromed, the axle would have probably been fine. Properly chromed, probably would have been fine. Improper chroming, snap crackle pop
My buddy got drunk and ran his Deuce coupe into a parked 4x4 and bent his Superbell or Magnum axle all up. He was able to sneak it home, and with the help of a couple buddies at a big truck shop were able to un-bend it and return it back to "normal" shape. I've had no problems yet with my Superbell in my '31 yet, but I do have a real Henry '32-'36 axle that's been dropped 5" for the next chassis build just because I like real Ford parts.
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