Straighten Radius Rods ??? 32'

Ian1932

Ian1932

Senior Member
Has anyone had to straighten these before? I would think you could to it with a floor jack and a cradle made from wood maybe? Any tips would be appreciated...Thanks
 

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It would be a good idea to fabricate some pressing blocks from some hard wood that will fit the contour of the radius rods well in key locations then apply pressure with a press. The indentations should go across the grain to keep the blocks from splitting under pressure. I've straitened shafts like this before but they were simple round tube. The oblong shape is a bit different but it looks like it can still be done.
 
The tubing has a split line. It might be worth holding it together with something like hose clips to prevent it splaying apart. Some strategically placed small tack welds could also be used. One of the best things I bought in the last few years was a press. It makes jobs like this very simple. You ought to be able to rig something up using a large regular vice and some wooden blocks to support the tube.

Mart.
 
cas3 said:
yup, every growing boy needs a press! wonderful tool to have
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Now you've done it! This has been in the back of my mind for several years, but I thought I was done buying major tools at 75. You had to say something didn't you.:D
 
My experance has been that the factory welds are not that great. They seem to work fine for their original intent, but the welds can give way if you do much in the way of modifying. So check the welds over.
 
I've straightened 32 fronts that had a slight arch in a press and some 36 rears with a slight arch but never rears with that much bend.
 
32-34's are pretty wimpy compared to the later years, i dont think they will put up much of a fight
 
The only thing i could guess is this was @ one point on a trailer and these rods were supporting it and it bounced over some train tracks. They are bent perfectly the same. I cant imagine any reason for the this to be done on purpose...I guess regardless of what i use to press it in need to build a cradle to its width with a radius @ the bottom and try not to distort them. If this was done on purpose then they would have welded up the seam i would think...
 
If I was going to use them I would cut them open and reinforce them with some metal stock on the inside and reweld them up. I believe if straightedge as is the weak point would be the area where it was bent and stretched a bit and weaked. Especially if your hot Rodding it some..




Ian1932 said:
Has anyone had to straighten these before? I would think you could to it with a floor jack and a cradle made from wood maybe? Any tips would be appreciated...Thanks
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My biggest worry in straitening them would be if they try to pucker where the metal joins together. It would be difficult to dress that out. If the seam were welded, it would be a non issue.

If they end up too long due to stretch, a person can try heating the stretched areas with a torch and let them cool. I'm not a fan of quenching with water on old steel unless it is stress relieved by at least some grit blast which will also remove the corrosion. I don't use sand for blasting but glass bead would be OK. Even then I'd likely just cool them with compressed air. If that doesn't work, a person would have to cut them and shorten to reweld in the most convenient place using the axle & torque tube as a jig.

There may be some decent used ones out there since they were used for a few years.
 
The 32 radius rods are real flimsy. They are just flattened tube at the end. (not even tube, just rolled steel) if the length is out, I would just carefully file the hole until it fits. There will be enough give in them that they will probably just fit anyway. It's one of those jobs that needs just doing and not overthinking.
 
I'd probably just fabricate a pair using galvanised 1-3/8 fencepost or 1-1/4 EMT from Home Depot. That wouldn't take too much thought to do either. 8^) Jack E/NJ
 
Here is my unprofessional opinion. Make a cradle to hold them and exert force 12 inches either side of the peak. Ratchet straps might do the job. Now heat the peak of the bend with force maintained on the straps. as it cools the top will shrink and the straps will stretch the bottom. This may require a few applications. I do not think you would need much tension on the straps. Anyone feel free to correct this. Sometimes just the shrinking can straighten it but I think the deflection s a bit much.
This guy does it to match the shrink on the bottom. At least familiarize yourself with the process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koMmqxeVCOM
 
they are the early versions, If all else fails, I have an extra pair.
 

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BoxCar Tom said:
they are the early versions, If all else fails, I have an extra pair.
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Probably out of my budget to buy a pair right now. Im going to try to straighten them and it they are then to long, ill cut the end off and weld it back together. Thanks for being a resource. Can you PM me what i might expect to pay if it doesn't work? Thanks. And thanks to everyone else trying to help!
 
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