Teck,How to check rear end for warpage

[Andy]

Most of us has had to weld on a rear end housing. After welding there is a high chance that it is warped. How to check and how to fix?
I take the whole rear end and assemble it with axles, pig, and tires. I block up both wheels so they can't turn. I put a couple of pieces of sheet metal that have been greased under one tire.This allows that tire to move back and forth. I put a dial indicater on the stationary tire at the highest point that is flat. I turn the whole rear end over and over. If there is any warpage on that end the dial indicater will show it. Some wapage from the other end will show up but is very minor.Just heat and check untill no more wiggle.Do other side and your done.
How to heat. Heat the high side in a small area about the size of a quarter. Let it cool!!! Check and if neccessary heat on both sides of first heat. Let it cool!!! Check and if still out,heat first spot and spots outside of second spots. Do not douse with water. Clean up inside of housing because scale has formed. Good luck

[Paul]

I like that,

simple and cheap,

just like me http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Thanks!

[Hotroddder]

I'm not quite getting where you mount the dial indicator and where you are measuring.

It sounds like you fix the wheels and rotate the housing and pumpkin around, and then measure with an indicator somewhere. I like the idea, and I need to check the 9" I am putting in my P/U, but my dense mind cannot clearly understand what you are saying.

I also dont understand what the greased sheetmetal does......

Can you explain it again, or sketch it out for me...


thanks.......

[Andy]

Yes, You have 90% of it. You block the wheels and spin the housing. As the housing rotates, the wheels will wobble if the housing is not straight. The greased plate is so the two wheels don't fight each other when rotated. Allowing one to slide back and forth lets you see what one wheel is doing on it's own. As the wheel that you are checking wobbles it will try to move the whole housing left or right.You want it to be able to do this and not have the other wheel fight it or overpower it. Put an idicater up high on the outside of the wheel to be checked and rotate the housing. Any problems will show up as a wobble.