replace damaged tube on rear diff

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Jan 23, 2014 | 11:27 AM

540milotalon

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 871

Likes: 5

From: Near Shenandoah Valley

replace damaged tube on rear diff

The truck is an '89 with 7.3 5speed, 4X4. It has a bent rear axle, drivers side and tube is egg shaped. In another time I was a machinist and repaired a diff damaged like this one by swinging the entire housing, tubes intact and machining the end true again( little more involved than that). I have access to a a lathe but not the length. Can I replace the damaged tube? I read where you can heat the diff housing up and pack the new/replacement tube in ice and slip it in.

Also, for a quick fix can I take a rear out of an '85 and bolt right up? Assuming the gear ratios are the same?
The front diff in both trucks is the smaller 44 I believe. Not sure if this rear is a 44 or 50.

Thanks for looking. I will try to post in the section for IDI diesels

Jan 23, 2014 | 11:51 AM

540milotalon

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 871

Likes: 5

From: Near Shenandoah Valley

Found this link;

http://spindledynamics1.com/spindles.htm

Jan 24, 2014 | 08:10 AM

projectnitemare

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 984

Likes: 8

Unless you are building a custom axle it is not worth the labor and expense of replacing axle tubes, even if you are doing it yourself. You also really need a centering bar to indeed make sure the axle is true when you retube one. For a few hundred bucks you can still easily pick an axle up at the bone yard. Both the 89 and the 85 should have the sterling 10.25 axle. There could be a chance the 85 could have a left over Dana 70 or a chance either could have used them as an option. The truck could really care less what axle is under it as long as the ratio matches the front axle. Not 100% sure if the 70 and 10.25 are a true bolt in swap. The axle will for sure bolt in but not sure if the driveshaft will be the correct legnth.

Jan 24, 2014 | 11:09 AM

540milotalon

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 871

Likes: 5

From: Near Shenandoah Valley

I appreciate your comments. I guess that is what I will do, look for a junk yard donor. It seemed simple at first thought but appears to be a bit complicated and time IS money.