Topic: Offset rear axle? Is it possible or is sometihing bent?

[Torch_Ind]

that would do it for sure

[Jeffy]

Hard to tell.  Could be the lens of the camera that's causing the bend since it's close to the edges of the pic.

[sharpxmen]

Hard to tell.  Could be the lens of the camera that's causing the bend since it's close to the edges of the pic.

i doubt it as other edges look straight - but i guess to make sure he can put a level or ruler or some straight edge along the underside of the tube and verify that way. I don't see any other reason for that offset and this kinda' makes sense - we'll have to wait for an update from him.

[rc10t4orange]

Well I guess I will have to put a straight edge on it today and see about what you guys are talking about.  Thanks Josh. 

[st.chevrolet]

I think Sharp is right, look at the track bar mount, its canted to the right because of the bent axle tube. That explains why the axle is over more to the left side.

[rc10t4orange]

[neale_rs]

The axle doesn't seem bent in these last pictures but keep in mind that the D35 will flex when lifted from the center like that.

[sharpxmen]

The axle doesn't seem bent in these last pictures but keep in mind that the D35 will flex when lifted from the center like that.

also, his other pic was from a different angle, so it could be that in this view is straight but it is bent on a different plane. hard to tell now though, but he could figure it out with a 1 ft level or ruler, seemed pretty obvious from the other picture.

[jagular7]

It really looks like the track bar axle bracket is bent.

I no longer have a D35 axle so I'm no help for comparing pics of the bracket.

[Jeffy]

The camera he's using has a bit of a fish-eye thing going on.  Is it a cell phone?  Like I said before the camera could be making it appear things are bent when the actually aren't.

[jagular7]

From this picture, it looks to be the track bar bracket is bent.


I believe the bracket should be vertical (90*) off the axle. For the amount the axle is off, the bracket has to be off that much. I don't think the axle housing can be bent enough to get the amount of space issue he's having for rubbing a tire.
He's stated he's measured and also swapped the wheels around so they had the same wheel with same bs. I don't have a D35 rear axle for a TJ any more.

Is there a local club near you. You could go look at another TJ from the club and do a side by side comparison. Hell, go look at a TJ for sale off craigslist.

[rc10t4orange]

I'm gonna take the track bar out tonight and set it back down to see if it will move over.  If that works then I will definatly work on that track bar bracket.  I don't know what is up with my camera it is a nicer 3 or 4 year old Sony.  I will use a different camera next time also.  Thanks for everyones input.  I will post when it is figured out.  Thanks Josh.

[Jeffy]

I'm gonna take the track bar out tonight and set it back down to see if it will move over.  If that works then I will definatly work on that track bar bracket.  I don't know what is up with my camera it is a nicer 3 or 4 year old Sony.  I will use a different camera next time also.  Thanks for everyones input.  I will post when it is figured out.  Thanks Josh.

That's what I said earlier...

Cameras, especially P&S's can and do, warp things when you try to take pictures close up.  It's a part of the lens design that you don't usually notice until you're zoomed in really close.  If you stay further back and zoom in, it shouldn't distort as much.

[sharpxmen]

That's what I said earlier...

Cameras, especially P&S's can and do, warp things when you try to take pictures close up.  It's a part of the lens design that you don't usually notice until you're zoomed in really close.  If you stay further back and zoom in, it shouldn't distort as much.

yeah, looks straight from further away

[jagular7]

I would find it hard to believe the axle tubing is bent. The axle is offset to the side not the tire forward or backward. If the tubing was bent, mtl the tire would be offset in the well and not the whole axle shifted to one side. 

Based on the accident, I would think the links to the axle and thier mounts would be bent and/or off. Since the track bar is much thicker than the control arms, I wouldn't think the track bar itself is the issue. From the impact, the 'jolt' on the body to the frame to the brakes holding the axle, I'm guessing the brackets would be bent. It would be obvious, I would think, if any of the arms were bent as they are stamped steel pieces pretty much straight. They also go into the brackets straight and are 90* to their mounting bolts.