Straightening a rear end housing

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Here's how to make a fixture and rack for straightening a rear end housing.
 
Here's how to make a fixture and rack for straightening a rear end housing.
  
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==Building a straightening table==
 
The cart pictured below is an old gas cylinder cart, bought at a garage sale. An I-beam is welded to the gas cylinder cart.
 
The cart pictured below is an old gas cylinder cart, bought at a garage sale. An I-beam is welded to the gas cylinder cart.
 
[[Image:Axle_straightening_table.jpg|frame|none|A gas cylinder cart, converted for straightening rear end housings.]]
 
[[Image:Axle_straightening_table.jpg|frame|none|A gas cylinder cart, converted for straightening rear end housings.]]
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[[Image:Hardened_bar.jpg|frame|none|A hardened and chrome plated steel bar.]]
 
[[Image:Hardened_bar.jpg|frame|none|A hardened and chrome plated steel bar.]]
  
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==Making the inserts==
 
Then, make some inserts. These are about 2" long, as to provide some load bearing area to lessen wear caused by repeated use. For this application (10-bolt Chevrolet), the ID is 1.504", and the OD is 2.894".
 
Then, make some inserts. These are about 2" long, as to provide some load bearing area to lessen wear caused by repeated use. For this application (10-bolt Chevrolet), the ID is 1.504", and the OD is 2.894".
 
[[Image:Making_inserts_in_lathe.jpg|frame|none|Making the inserts in a lathe.]]
 
[[Image:Making_inserts_in_lathe.jpg|frame|none|Making the inserts in a lathe.]]
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[[Image:Straight_bar_in_inserts.jpg|frame|none|The straight bar, in the inserts.]]
 
[[Image:Straight_bar_in_inserts.jpg|frame|none|The straight bar, in the inserts.]]
  
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==Measuring==
 
The housing end insert slides over the bar, and indicates how much the end of the housing is bent out of alignment.
 
The housing end insert slides over the bar, and indicates how much the end of the housing is bent out of alignment.
 
[[Image:Housing_end_insert_slid_over_bar.jpg|frame|none|The housing end insert is used to indicate the alignment of the housing.]]
 
[[Image:Housing_end_insert_slid_over_bar.jpg|frame|none|The housing end insert is used to indicate the alignment of the housing.]]
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[[Image:Finding_housing_bend.jpg|frame|none|A ruler is used to see where it's bent.]]
 
[[Image:Finding_housing_bend.jpg|frame|none|A ruler is used to see where it's bent.]]
  
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==Heating and bending==
 
Next, rig a chain at the point of bend, and put a 12-ton bottle jack under the end of the axle. To prevent bending the center casing, put the rear cover on.
 
Next, rig a chain at the point of bend, and put a 12-ton bottle jack under the end of the axle. To prevent bending the center casing, put the rear cover on.
 
[[Image:Bottle_jack_and_chain.jpg|frame|none|A bottle jack and chain are used for bending.]]
 
[[Image:Bottle_jack_and_chain.jpg|frame|none|A bottle jack and chain are used for bending.]]

Revision as of 22:57, 28 February 2007

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