How bent is bent?

[cclingma]

Ut oh. I gotta quite digging in on this Hustler. Looks like I have at least two fairly bent axles. Acutally, none of them run out perfect. I took a couple quick little videos with the machine blocked with the tires off the ground and the chains removed. How bad would you guys say these axles are? Thanks!

[Roger S]

Sweet. Can't measure it from here, but they're out of spec.

[LarryW]

Hello cclingma,

I would say there bent pretty bad. Should at least keep it in back of your mind that you need new ones. And although you could run it you might as well get if fixed. I would take tire off and make sure its not the rim. It is probably the axle though. Not to bad only doing 2 axles...........
Larry

[cclingma]

Yep, may end up doing three while I'm at it. I'm sure temped to go ahead and do all the outer bearings for water control purposes.

Where to shop? I've seen where member Whipper has knocked out some really nice stuff for guys on here and of course I've seen the axles over on Route 6x6.

[boncrshr]

If it was me...I would consider upgrading axles as you go. Go with splined for sure on the drive axles!! There would be two routes you could go:
1) Get Whipper to make you some.
2) Axles from a Max IV with the wheel extensions from Recreatives would work perfectly. Even with the wheel extensions, they don't weigh much more than a 1 piece axle. They are pretty reasonably priced and can be had pretty cheap. However; in both cases you will have to have the drive sprockets made as Recreatives does not sell any 30 tooth and up.

This brings us to the next point. Depending on what kind of driving you do. You may want to consider changing the gear ratio. I went from the stock 30 tooth, to a 40 tooth center drive sprocket. Mainly to compensate for larger tires. But the extra pulling power is NICE!! But if you like going fast I would not recommend this. A 36 tooth sprocket might be a good compromise??

[cclingma]

Now you have me thinking. I could upgrade the center drive axles with splined and spread the old good ones around to replace the bent ones for now. I'm going to have to count the teeth on my old sprockets to make sure what I have. I would be happy with gearing the same or close to the same of what I have now. I don't average much speed but my torque seems okay. I'd like to find out price and availability of the Max axles. I might give them a call.
Thanks!

[Amphiman1]

old school technology.

easy fix,,,,, remove axles.. sledge hammer, railroad tie....

[Roger S]

I straightened a couple of minor tweaks on argo axles. Slid a couple bearings on axle so it'd spin, set the bearings in a couple V wood blocks, and use a dial indicator to locate high spot. Then lift axle out of V blocks, set on solid surface, and use aforementioned sledge hammer. Slide old inner race over the hammer spot. Measure, hammer, repeat Guzzle victory beer after each axle. Pat self on back for being a good blacksmith.

[Amphiman1]

I straightened a couple of minor tweaks on argo axles. Slid a couple bearings on axle so it'd spin, set the bearings in a couple V wood blocks, and use a dial indicator to locate high spot. Then lift axle out of V blocks, set on solid surface, and use aforementioned sledge hammer. Measure, hammer, repeat Guzzle victory beer after each axle. Pat self on back for being a good blacksmith.

geezeeeee. i never saw a blacksmith use a dial indicator.. Beer, yes,,,indicator? no

[cclingma]

Ah. These methods do have a certain appeal to my accounting department.

[turvuren]

axle

Not sure what the end your worrking with looks like, but a nice 6foot pipe machine on blocks and two people for ballast on opposite side can do a nice job on my attex.

[LarryW]

Not sure what the end your worrking with looks like, but a nice 6foot pipe machine on blocks and two people for ballast on opposite side can do a nice job on my attex.

I would worry about wrecking other parts. Seems like it would put alot of stress on the frame where the inner bearin is. May work but I would recommend taking it out first. Or maybe to push or pull pipe rather then pry up or down????

[cclingma]

I agree on the pulling before adjusting. I just got the first axle out using my new hi-tech home made slide hammer.

[ygmir]

I do some blacksmithing....
the only concern I'd have is, if you're bending to far, cold, and by impact with a hammer, is micro fractures............and, stressing the steel at that point...........
seems slow would lead to less chance of a break, or, weakness.
and, hot would help, but, it has to be really hot.......like close to red, before it'll help.
quenching in used motor oil for temper and to return the carbon to the matrix on the out part.
not one quench, but, several fast ones......or, pouring it over the area.

just some thoughts.

good luck
Henry

[cclingma]

I do some blacksmithing....
the only concern I'd have is, if you're bending to far, cold, and by impact with a hammer, is micro fractures............and, stressing the steel at that point...........
seems slow would lead to less chance of a break, or, weakness.
and, hot would help, but, it has to be really hot.......like close to red, before it'll help.
quenching in used motor oil for temper and to return the carbon to the matrix on the out part.
not one quench, but, several fast ones......or, pouring it over the area.

just some thoughts.

good luck
Henry

Very interesting thoughts and tips. These will be very slight bends to try to correct....or at least slight in my way of thinking. The axle might be 1/8" out overall. Maybe that's alot for this type of steel?