Topic: Welding on axle shaft end

[Eucalypta]

Does any one here have experience with welding on the end of a axle shaft?
The left rear axle shaft of a buddy of mine, is worn thus the shaft can move to much in and out. Sometimes they even hit the brake drums.
Instead of replacing the shaft, we heard it is also possible to weld material back on it so the clearance is reduced.
The part that is welded on does not transfer any force so it would not shear.

If we are correct, the material of a stock shaft is C40, 52RC so we can use the right electrode.

Any thoughts?

[sharpxmen]

Does any one here have experience with welding on the end of a axle shaft?
The left rear axle shaft of a buddy of mine, is worn thus the shaft can move to much in and out. Sometimes they even hit the brake drums.
Instead of replacing the shaft, we heard it is also possible to weld material back on it so the clearance is reduced.
The part that is welded on does not transfer any force so it would not shear.

If we are correct, the material of a stock shaft is C40, 52RC so we can use the right electrode.

Any thoughts?

you mean at the c-clip? if yes i would think the better and easier way would be to make an oversized c-clip and machine to the end of the shaft to rectify the wear (just slightly so it's even). if you mean the end of the shaft where it sits on the spide gears shaft then i don't see an issue with adding a weld there and grind it flat, it might become brittle though so long term i'm not sure.

For the cost of a stock second hand shaft i would just buy a good replacement to be honest, but i know where you're at the Jeeps are scarse so maybe that's the reason you think of this route.

[aw12345]

Why not make a cap on a lathe to slip over the end of the shaft to take up the slack
That would be fairly easy to make. It;s not the C clip that takes up the end play but the tip of the axle shaft hitting the crosshaft

[Eucalypta]

Why not make a cap on a lathe to slip over the end of the shaft to take up the slack
That would be fairly easy to make. It;s not the C clip that takes up the end play but the tip of the axle shaft hitting the crosshaft

Right we would add some material to the tip of the shaft (only on a jeep forum you can say something like that).
What do you mean make a cap? The cap would have to be a snug fit and should not move?
That would be very precise machining....?

Adding material and grinding carefully until the shaft fits is more easy. Besides...Iwas thinking, we only add material that has been worn off the tip, so we are not really altering the shaft.

My fear is that the tip would be brittle and pieces may come of and get caught in the gear....

Yes Shaft: we have to fly the shafts in from USA and pay duties over them...this makes it more expensive.
Just playing with the thought....

[neale_rs]

The cap could also be the c-clip, then it would be held in place just as well as the normal c-clip.

[FourbangerYJ]

I have a set of D35C shafts. You can have them if you want them. Just pay for shipping. Or just the shaft you need to save some weight.

[Eucalypta]

I have a set of D35C shafts. You can have them if you want them. Just pay for shipping. Or just the shaft you need to save some weight.

Thanx, I am interested...These shafts are without the wear I assume?
Can you please mail me? I seem not to be able to pm you.
John@eucalypta.nl

[FourbangerYJ]

Thanx, I am interested...These shafts are without the wear I assume?
Can you please mail me? I seem not to be able to pm you.
John@eucalypta.nl

I can post some pics if you want. These shafts came to me from a club member. I have no idea what condition they are in. They have a bit of surface rust near where the bearings would go and on the back of the flange. The spines are straight and the ends don't look like they are worn. I have no C clips, you would need to reuse the old ones.

Weird on the PM thing. Others have sent me PM's.

Anyway let me know if you want to see some PICS then you can determine if you want them.

[aw12345]

Or buy so,e chromemoly shafts and call it good. Think of the cap like a small hat, if a friend has a lathe it's not hard to make

[sharpxmen]

Or buy so,e chromemoly shafts and call it good. Think of the cap like a small hat, if a friend has a lathe it's not hard to make

needs to be hardened (heat treatment after machining)

[Bounty Hunter]

How does a shaft even wear on the end?

[FourbangerYJ]

How does a shaft even wear on the end?

I would think the bearings are shot and allowing the shaft to move back and forth rubbing on the cross shaft?

[aw12345]

C clip axle, every time you make a turn it spins on the cross shaft or any to,e there is wheel spin

[sharpxmen]

I would think the bearings are shot and allowing the shaft to move back and forth rubbing on the cross shaft?

which bearings, the carrier ones? wouldn't really matter as it would move together with the shaft. The hub bearings (at the axle end) wouldn't keep the shafts from moving in and out (like the ones in the front do), it's the c-clip and the spider gears shaft that keep the axles in place.

yeah, bounty has a point - it's hard to imagine how you wear a shaft there, maybe one side a 35'' tire and the other one a 28'', would make the spider gears constantly spin  

[Bounty Hunter]

And why the assumption they're c-clip shafts?