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Bent Front Axle

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Old Aug 22, 2004 | 11:19 AM
  #1  
Tom Bolitho's Avatar
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From: SoCal
Unhappy Bent Front Axle

Due to an unscheduled off road experience I now have a bent front axle. Extreme camber change on left side. Any ideas about repairs are appreciated.
Also tweeked the frame slightly. Haven't found any other damages.
TIA
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Old Aug 22, 2004 | 11:37 AM
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From: Chesterfield, VA
How in the world did that happen? Let us know, may help to diagnose problems and repairs.
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Old Aug 22, 2004 | 11:50 AM
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From: SoCal
My son was doing about 25 down a dirt road that had about 2ft embankments on both sides. He came around a turn and swerved to miss a wash rut and hit a large rock. We bounced up on to the embankment on the right side, then went back across the road and onto the embankment on the left. When we went accross the road we hit hard on the left front wheel. It sounds like a lot of movement for 25 mph but I was with him so I know what the speeds were. I thought we going over at one point. We were only 800 miles from home. I drove it home, towing a trailer.
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Old Aug 22, 2004 | 03:16 PM
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From: oregon
Man for a second I thought maybe you were the owner of the Baha Bomber. I would guess that depending on what exactly was bent such as the axel tube and axel those parts could be R&R'd. If the damage is extensive enough I think a replacement front axel from a wrecking yard would be easiest. Although maybe not the cheapest.

CJ
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Old Aug 22, 2004 | 03:33 PM
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From: SoCal
It looks nasty, but, it still locks and unlocks although not as smoothly. I have driven about 1000 miles on it. Got me home that is all I wanted out of it. Nobody was hurt. What else can you ask?
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Old Aug 22, 2004 | 10:37 PM
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From: U.P. Mi.
are you sure you dont have just a bent ball joint? maybe you will be lucky and thats all that happened. for the frame deal just find a good body shop with a frame rack, i know my friend gets stuff pretty straight on his. if the axle tube is still in the pumkin all the way and it is just tweeked a bit, it can be straightened, its time consuming and a chore but it can be done. lets hope its just a ball joint tho. GOOD LUCK
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Old Aug 22, 2004 | 10:56 PM
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From: SoCal
I know the frame isn't a big deal--I have a friend that is an excellent frame artist.
I have to talk to my axle vender tomorrow and see what can be done.
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Old Aug 23, 2004 | 05:20 AM
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From: Va Beach
If all else fails take it to a truck repair shop and they can install a shim onto the hub assembly that will allow the wheel to turn true. The axle will still be bent but you will be able to set the alignment. I had this on an old blazer. It worked fine. Good luck.
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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 07:32 AM
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Find a used housing???? If you need any help please be free to email
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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 07:33 AM
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Sorry i meant pm me
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