Technical What is too rough to repair when it comes to Ford front axles?

I have this factory Ford axle that was dropped sometime in the 60s (I'm guessing) and it is a little rough. Some told me its only good for yard art, some said it can be repaired. It is pitted pretty good, but the pitting isn't really what makes me nervous. It isn't the easiest to see in the pictures. Some areas there is steel that is literally rotted away on the edges. Not a ton, but enough to notice. I know they are forged and pretty damn strong. I have been told the area can be welded back to stock and ground too look untouched. What do you guys think? Safe on a car or safe hanging on the shop wall? Thanks!

 

with those axles being plentifull around here and going for less than $100, I'd find another one and have it dropped

 

What patiently waiting Larry said, it's toast.

 

I would get a different axle.

 

that's 8 cents a LB. right now.

 

Find another, shouldn't be hard to find at all. Just the time and frustration to tear that one down will make you crazy. The pins are going to be hard to drive out of that rusted hulk.

 

How long had that thing been under salt water? At best I think sandblasting it and spray bombing it and hanging it on the shop wall is about the limit of what one would reasonably do with it. As others said Ford axles aren't that spendy or rare and it doesn't cost that much to have one dropped correctly.

 

Perfect candidate for Craigslist, in the Rot Rod section...

 

If the king pin and perch pin bores are good, it is probably still a usable axle. but it is pretty ugly looking. You could weld up the eaten parts, but you would have a ton of time into it

 

Well I think that anything can be repaired and I don't doubt that you could repair that if you are handy enough. Never the less I would step away from that one, if I did anything at all with it I would get it blasted and have them lean pretty hard on it then paint it and preserve it for posterity.

It will make an interesting wall hanger and once blasted you can get a better idea why you should step away from it.

 

You're ****ting me right?

 

My thoughts on this one. What are you going to use it on? Are you going to use it on a street car? Think about how important that front axle is when you are going 100 MPH and hit that pothole on the turnpike?

 

I would use it for a paper weight or a boat anchor but I sure wouldn't use it under my car. HRP

 

I'm hesitant on even writing this because I know it's just gonna turn to ****...but I would trust that ****ty forged axle under my car before a new offshore cast axle that can break in half. Not saying I would just toss it under my car, but I bet it still flexes and will twist 360 degrees over and over again before it breaks

 

Boy that thing has been rode hard and put up wet. Even if you could fix it, you would be bucks up looking for a better axle to start with.

 

Say hello to your new pry bar.

 

you might be able to save the tierod while yur at it

 

I understand what you are says Chris but there are still plenty of good forged axles out there that are readily available and in much better condition. HRP

 

nope

 

I agree with you 100%, I'm just saying I do not think that axle is "junk". It may be near the line, but if I had to I would probably use it (once apart if the bosses are in good shape and not too eaten away anyways). If it is just the edge of the "I" beam that are deteriated i think its fine. If the wntire thing is eaten through...maybe not. Hard to tell by the pics

 

Hence sand blasting and leaning hard on it.

That is an axle that if preserved the way that it is may be used someday when there are no more axles to be found. At least those are my thoughts on it.

 

What, is it April 1st already?

 

I've been known to use some of the rustiest stuff sometimes, but even I wouldn't use that axle. I would find a nice place for it somewhere though. Might make a good boot s****er outside the back door?

 

It looks like it spent 35 years on a beach...how'd that happen in Ohio?!?? That rust looks DEEP, when steel starts to sort of de-laminate like that I run for my life.
There probably is a strong core remaining deep in there, but restoring contour would likely put in so much heat the original treatment would be lost.
I see this as an opportunity to explore the weirdness of people...I would sell it with much hoopla about rat rods and ultimate patina and see what happens...betcha it would bring more than a good one!

 

You will spend more time trying to tear it down and save it than it's worth. If your labor is worth anything just buy another and save all the frustration, when you find it worth it weight in s****. My 2ct

 

Looks like someone has already been using it as a boat anchor

 

^^^Amen brother!

 

Thanks for the input. It was sitting, half buried, in a back yard since god knows when. It's funny, half of the backing plate is rotted away where it was buried up to. Bruce, this is pretty normal rot for the Cleveland area. I like to tease the southern and western mechanics that they don't know what it's like to work on cars until you have to do exhaust manifolds on a 5 year old Cleveland plow truck. Or know the fun of rotted brake and fuel lines. Our snow and ice control chemicals do wonders to our cars.

That was my thought too, s****, when it was given to me. Then people said its repairable. Doesn't hurt to ask. It will probably have some 35 Ford wires bolted to it and be half buried again in one of the flower beds around the house.

 

Good plan.

 

Why would you even consider saving it?