Rear axle housing damage

Stingray70

Stingray70

Senior Member
In the process of doing the brakes for our upcoming Blue Ridge Parkway trip I found this pitting on the bottom of one side. This is the part of the housing the bearing rides on. How bad is this? Is it a definite no-go?

Also the same side has a crappy looking axle and had a shim. The shim is trashed with several holes worn through it. Replace the axle or re shim?
 

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You probably don't want to hear this but it is probably time to pull the rear axle and go through it. Replace that side of the axle housing and the axle.
 
Agree with Chris on pulling and doing the entire assembly.
The housing needs a repair sleeve or replaced with one with a good bearing surface. The axle May need to be replaced one or both and you can inspect the bearings. For the most part once disassembled you will probably find it needs a comprehensive rebuild. If there is someone in your area that is schooled with these I would poll on them.
I’ve done hundreds of axle rebuilds and there is more to it than most folks want you to believe.

Larry Shepard
 
In my opinion, your photos ate evidence of at least 2 things gpoing on in your rear ax;le.
1. The pitting is indicative that the bearing is damaged also.

2. The damaged shim is indicative that the hub was moving on the axle. perhaps the material worn off of the shim damaged the bearing journal.
I suggest that you overhaul the entire rear axle plus torque tube before tackling the Blue Ridge Parkway.
 
the housing needs a sleeve. or if you can find a good axle housing, but that maybe hard.
this involves pulling the rear-end apart and having that housing turned to accommodate the new sleeve. its has to be fitted and unless you have the knowledge and equipment it is something a machine shop needs to do.

i have only ever had one done. both rt and lt housings so 2. i was super lucky i took them to the machine shop and the tech said he would do it on his own time and the shop didn't charge. i can't imagine that ever happening again.
 
With your time limitations, you could hunt for another more servable rear and leave the current rear for a winter rebuild.

Shop 'hard', rears aren't hard to find.
 
With that damage to the axle and shim, make sure you check the inside of the hub where the axle fits, it's probably worn also.
 
Thanks guys. Great info as usual! Not what I was hoping to hear but it is what I suspected you guys would say.

My next question is: are the repair sleeves a permanent "correct" repair or is it just a bandaid?

Next question: new axles are really expensive. Are the USA made replacements worth the money or are there issues with them?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
The sleeve, installed correctly, is a good, permanent repair. It is the best way to go these days anyway. No need to shop around and maybe have to ship large, heavy rear ends, finding a problem with them also, and needing a sleeve too. Some folks sell old used parts without knowing the specifications of a good axle housing.
Sorry, I have yet to use a new axle, betting they ARE worth the money though..
 
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