Bent Axle question

[liflod]

Lift the bent side off the ground and rotate the tires, you'll see the bent one. Also you can use a floor jack, a 4x4 post and some chain.

Keep machine jacked up place 4x4 parallel under bent axle
Place jack on top of 4x4 with jack pad under the bend in the axle.
Wrap chain from end of axle near the hub under the 4x4.
Operate the jack.

This will push up on the bend in the axle and the chain will hold the axle in place.

[westkymaxiv]

oh I assumed I would have to remove the axle which I was dreading. I do think it is the rear axle or axles. But Im still not sure how to do this.

[jerrynuss]

If it is not really bad you can use some chain a tree and a hydraulic jack.
This sounds like a good topic for a how to article with photos. A person may need to straighten an axle out on the trail so it would be good information.

[westkymaxiv]

thanks Jerry. Boy I wish I had known it was bent when I replaced the spocket. How would you striaghten it at home?
Eddie

[jerrynuss]

If it is not a really bad bend you can straighten it at home or remove it and take it to a machine shop. I would not expect it to rebend. Most people bend them by riding too fast with too much tire pressure and hitting trees or other solid objects.

[westkymaxiv]

its a 18 hp briggs vanguard. I could have them straigtened at a machine shop but i didnt know if they were likely to just bend back. The guy I bought it from bent them.

Go Cats!

[rdr]

I think I have ...or I know I have at least one bent axle. It really wobbles going down the road. Do you straighten or replace? This is a 2000 Max IV.
Eddie

west what you got powering that max .

[liflod]

If you have access to a press, straighten it. You can always just buy a new one and keep the other as a spare if your budget allows.

[westkymaxiv]

I think I have ...or I know I have at least one bent axle. It really wobbles going down the road. Do you straighten or replace? This is a 2000 Max IV.
Eddie