Need to cut a axle on a 9" ford to fit larger tires on a freinds 53 ford truck. Never cut an axle before. Is there any thing I should know before cutting?:confused:
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Need to cut a axle on a 9" ford to fit larger tires on a freinds 53 ford truck. Never cut an axle before. Is there any thing I should know before cutting?:confused:
You referring to the tube(s) or the axle itself ?
Referring to both.
If its a tapered axle, they can't be shortened. You have to get the tube end big time squared. If you are planning on running a spool or mini-spool resplined axles wont last very long at all. This are the highlites I got from D&R Drivelines last week when I checked on getting mine shortened. $150 to shorten the tube. Hope that helps a little.
Shortening the housing has to be done in a fixture with a jig inside to align the housing end to the center section carrier bearings.... Axles, as Jimmy Jeep said, can only be shortened if there is enough material (thickness) on the axle to respline it. Cutting the axle is no big deal, but it takes a lathe with an indexing head to respline the axles.
Jimmy, Dave, Thanks for you great advice. Glad I asked before I started.:whacked:
What year of housing is he using now? Early housings such as a '57-'59 Ford and '67-'70 Mustang are worth a fair bit of money. He might come out money ahead to sell this one and pick up a custom housing and axle combo that's ready to go. They're actually pretty reasonable if you shop around.
Or just do like we did it in the old days, jack that sucker up and hang those big wienies under there! :LOL: ;)