Question about Axle Surface Rust
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,507
Likes: 121
From: Oregon
Question about Axle Surface Rust
Well I picked up a front third member with the gears I want, and a Ford 8.8" that needs gears and an overhaul. I am a little concerned with some of the rust around the spring perches. There is some decent corrosion, and on the undersides of the perches, big flakes of rust that I can pick off. I am unsure what the best thing to do would be. Sandblast and paint? Remove the perches and possibly replace before rebuilding? I want to do this the right way the first time.
Here is the rust:
I don't know what that extra welded bit is either, but I will grind that off.
I did wire wheel the welds to see if they were cracked under the corrosion and they looked to be good still.
I am all ears on this as I have not done something like this before. Thanks again guys.
Here is the rust:
I don't know what that extra welded bit is either, but I will grind that off.
I did wire wheel the welds to see if they were cracked under the corrosion and they looked to be good still.
I am all ears on this as I have not done something like this before. Thanks again guys.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 3
Looks just like mine. Wire wheel and some good rust preventing paint. Mine was chipping away too but I hit it with a chipping hammer a few good times and all that's gone and it looks pretty good now. Tonight I'm going to get it up on a table and write wheel it from drum to drum and get it full of fresh fluid and seal it up so I can get paint on it. I'll be posting pics in the what have you done today thread.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
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From: Central Indiana
My 0.02 USD worth . . .
What ^ he said. Wire wheel/cup brush until you're rust colored head to toe (that way, you know the axle is clean), wipe down axle with lacquer thinner, good coat of rust converter (on the axle) and topcoat with some decent enamel. Tada!
Those booty-fab booger welds look like the Previous Owner tried to blob-weld his spring perches to the springs. In the IHC circles, that is what we call classic PO Virus.
Have fun!
Those booty-fab booger welds look like the Previous Owner tried to blob-weld his spring perches to the springs. In the IHC circles, that is what we call classic PO Virus.
Have fun!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Having lived in the rust belt my whole life and seeing big metal pieces like this rust right through I have to say that is nothing to be concerned about, clean it up, paint and/or rustproof to your satisfaction and forget about it.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Oregon
Thanks guys. I will wire wheel it, put some rust converter on it and probably paint it with POR-15. Not used to rust here....
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
You call that rust? HA HA HA
The welds are someone welding lift blocks to the pad to keep them from kicking out.
Like others has said, wire wheel and paint. I personally would sandblast, but I have one.
And just for reference, THIS is rust
The welds are someone welding lift blocks to the pad to keep them from kicking out.
Like others has said, wire wheel and paint. I personally would sandblast, but I have one.
And just for reference, THIS is rust
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Oregon
Yeah I guess my NW truck has it easy. 200k miles on it and other than surface "rust" on the frame, it is completely clean.
Do you have a sandblasted you would recommend Brad? I have been thinking of getting one, but have no clue as to how to choose one. Have several project that a sandblaster would be useful for.
Do you have a sandblasted you would recommend Brad? I have been thinking of getting one, but have no clue as to how to choose one. Have several project that a sandblaster would be useful for.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
Yeah I guess my NW truck has it easy. 200k miles on it and other than surface "rust" on the frame, it is completely clean.
Do you have a sandblasted you would recommend Brad? I have been thinking of getting one, but have no clue as to how to choose one. Have several project that a sandblaster would be useful for.
Do you have a sandblasted you would recommend Brad? I have been thinking of getting one, but have no clue as to how to choose one. Have several project that a sandblaster would be useful for.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,769
Likes: 441
going from the wire wheel to a blaster makes you feel like you've been wasting your life with all the years of wire wheels in hand. and its true. plus, its the only way to get into the nooks and crannies where rust typically is the worst - moisture trap.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
Correct. sandblasting and cutting out bad metal are the ONLY 2 ways to KILL rust.
Wire wheeling just polishes the surface. Sandblasting kills the rust and also give good "bite" for paint to adhere
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 1
From: Hartland, WI
See if there are any places that will blast it for you or offer DIY by the minute/hour. We have a place nearby called U-Spray, with different media cabinets that charge by the minute, or they do it for you on really big projects like cars and trailers.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Oregon
The U-Spray sounds like a cool concept. I don't think we have those. I will look into having it blasted locally. I'm sure there is someone who will do it for a decent price.