Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken
Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken
(OP)
Good day!
Is there anyone of you who can suggest of how I will weld for the third time a snap differential axle shaft of my pick up. I have bought that converted pick up from somewhere and only found out that they cut short the differential to narrow the track on the rear, not original one. Shaft was cut halfway and welded. Understood that twisting force cause it to break.
What I did before was to have it repaired 2 times on a nearby shop. As I have seen it, they make a 40 deg total (more or less) V cut on both ends of shaft, welded and trued again. I have doubt that they did not used specified welding rods suitable for shaft material. Is post heat treatment necessary? Your suggestions are very much appreciated.
Merry X'mas,
Cengrtecs
Is there anyone of you who can suggest of how I will weld for the third time a snap differential axle shaft of my pick up. I have bought that converted pick up from somewhere and only found out that they cut short the differential to narrow the track on the rear, not original one. Shaft was cut halfway and welded. Understood that twisting force cause it to break.
What I did before was to have it repaired 2 times on a nearby shop. As I have seen it, they make a 40 deg total (more or less) V cut on both ends of shaft, welded and trued again. I have doubt that they did not used specified welding rods suitable for shaft material. Is post heat treatment necessary? Your suggestions are very much appreciated.
Merry X'mas,
Cengrtecs





RE: Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken
Proper welding would involve a significant heat treating process. But even with that, you will never be able to attain full strength or resiliency.
I would break the other one too and mark all the pieces. That way you could use a shorter box when you ship them to a good axle maker for replacement. Problem solved forever.
RE: Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken
Most axle shafts are induction hardened to develop a precisely controlled thickness of hard case over a tough core. The process cannot be duplicated by the average blacksmith or machine shop.
Just buy the proper shafts. Drag racing has put a lot of companies in the custom axle business, so they won't even be particularly expensive. You just need to give them a few key dimensions, and they'll take it from there.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken
I will try to look for an axle maker as you have suggested so to release me of my worries.
Best regards,
cengrtecs
RE: Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken
Does this strike anyone else as a bad idea? Now I'm not in the business of making driveshafts, but I have a hard time wrapping my brain around the benefits of straightening a drive-shaft by removing material. Plus cutting down the welds probably removed a large portion of the strength gained from welding it in the first place.
RE: Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken
It wouldn't make much sense to remove metal after welding, unless the shaft has to pass through some small clearance. Most axles wouldn't need it, but maybe that unnamed one does.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken
RE: Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken
But I've got to ask:
Is this an engineering question, or one for some auto mechanics forum somewhere?
RE: Differential Axle Shaft Snap Broken