Sometime back I think I saw a post about straightening axles. Is this possible? and if so what company/business is it and where are they located? If possible something within Calif. would be a big help as it would be closer.

Rude Dog (Thanks in advance for any advise)

 

Just about any good machine shap that has a good press will do it for you. Or some dealerships will also do it. But the machine shop would probably be cheaper.

 

I would suggest going and buying a new axle. It will be cheaper in the lond run. I just got a eliminator +4 axle come with a lifetime warranty

 

Well, it depends. If the axle bent from jumping, it would be advisable to buy a stronger one, because it's just going to bend again or break.... But if it bent from an accident or other mishap, and is not really bad, it will be ok to straighten it. I have straightened about 3 axles over the years, never a problem, and if you have a press available, it's free. Can't get much cheaper than that....

 

Funny that this tpoic just came up. I just bent my axle on my quadracer the other day, and I have bent it back. It still isn't perfect, about .005" off from running true, but hey it isn't bad. I used the press just like others were talking about, and it isn't difficult. Now, if it stays that way will remain to be seen. I am probably going to buy a stronger axle here within a week or two, but am curious to see how it holds up. I bent it off of a fast dirt road with a rise in it, I flew off the rise and hit a square edged erosion spot in the road, collapsing the rear suspension. It hit hard! I was wide open for a while when I came across that thing. It only knocked it out like .028 on the left and .024 on the right. Later

 

Additional info:

Guys... The axle was bent from a colision my daughter had w/another ATV. The bend is not that bad. The ATV is still driveable, but you can see the wobble when watching it from behind. I did have a buddy try to straighten it. He said he had it flexed about 5" trying to bend it back and nothing really happened. He was afraid to bend it any further as it might break.

So... "Gabe & Fireblade".. from experience, did you have to give your Axles more than 5" of bend to have them straighten? Will it take more than 5" of bend without snapping?

Thanks, Rude Dog

 

5 inches?!!! Were you using a press to do it? I came nowhere near 5 inches, I would say less than an inch to straighten mine. It still isn't perfect, but it is unnoticable driving, and you can't see it with the naked eye either. If you are using a press, what are you resting the axle on to bend it? I used metal V-blocks on both ends, with dial indicators. Maybe the guy doing it, is trying to get the axle absolutely perfect with no runout? If that is the problem still, I wouldn't worry about getting it straight the last little bit. If not, buy a new, STRONGER, axle. Later

 

Oh, BTW, DO NOT USE ANY HEAT WHEN BENDING!!!!! The temper of the steel will be lost and you'll be driving on a rubber stick. Later

 

Thanks much all!!!! I did find a small shop that was able to cold bend the axle for me. It came out pretty close, close enough that it is barely noticable. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!! repair project done!!!!

Rude Dog