Is there an easy garage method for checking that an axle shaft is straight? What about the axle tubes? I've toasted the one rear wheel bearing in my D44 with little cause other than possibly the shaft or tube being bent.

I don't have any shops close that can check it for me.

Thanks . :beer:

Bob,

I think you're on the right track thinking something's bent if the other side is fine, assuming same bearings and installation (i.e. pressed on the same)

The Xj D44 shafts are pretty close to the same length I think. How about, assume good side is straight, pull both, lay them side by each with the splines facing in, on the flattest bench/surface you have, and see if one "wows" away from the other?

Not sure how to garage check the housing, since the margin of error in the technique would likely be at least as great as how much it would have to be out to toast the bearing.

Have you got a FSM? I just remembered there was something in there about this....but mine is with a buddy.

I think you could check them like this.... Mind you I have never done this,,, just thinking......never mind..


If you have the housing flanges on both sides exposed.. take a few friends and or clamps and 2 framing squares and a string.. place the squares on the flanges on both sides and run the string from the squares corner to the other squares corner... This would show if the flanges are square to each other...


I hope that made sense..

I've been trying to figure out a similiar problem. Maybe one of those spinning laser levels lined up on the tube ???

How about a plumb bob hanging over a level surface and just stand the axle up against it, and spin the axle around to different spots. Or maybe, beg, borrow, or steal a dial indicator. Mount the axle and spin it while checking the outer edge of the flange.

if it is semi floater the wheel will wobble when you drive it, get someone to drive it a couple metres and have a look (i think)

if its full float, check it like you would a pool cue, roll it along a flat surface (if it hasa flanged end) leave that hanging off the side of the table....

roll roll roll

should give a good idea at least :flipoff2:

GOT BOOTIE FAB!!:D

You could use a magnaetic angle finder. check on each of rhe housing flanges and each of the axle tubes. If everything is square and straight the reading should be the same. You should
rotate the housing to several different positions and perform the test.

thanks for the tips. any others are appreciated. Also to clarify this is on a semi-floater.

bill: I do have an FSM but it doesn't cover the D44

Keith: the plumb bob does sound like a good idea although if the shaft is just slightly bent i'm not sure if I'd pick it up by eye. I do have a dial indicator but no real way to mount the shaft without puting new bearings on it etc and putting it in the tube. which I guess I'd prefer not to do.

Let me ask another question. where would the shaft have to be bent to toast the bearing? between the outer bearing and the carrier (along the shaft) or outside the bearing near the flange? or both?

Heck at this point I might just order a new shaft, keep the old one in case and then if that's not the problem i'll have 2 and a larger problem. :flipoff2:

OK4WD in Stewartsville, NJ can check it for you.

Bryan

Thanks, but that's at least 2.5hrs away and my heap is in the garage sans 1 axle shaft. :beer:

Bob,

Tha angle-finder ideas are good, but unless it was really big, accurate, and easy to read, you may not pick up the difference.

I imagine the critical spec is the allignment of the carrier bearing and the whel bearing. Don't know what the spec is, but I imagine they need only be out by a few thou to cause bearing problems. Similarly, I would first check the shaft is straight between bearing seat and splines.

The FSM article wasn;t D44 specific - just something on diagnosing possible ebnt axle or something.

I've got an angle finder but it's the cheap :flipoff2: $5 magnetic kind that makes even checking pinion angle difficult. I doubt that without a digital angle finder that I'd notice a very slight diff in flanges. But can't hurt to try. hmmmm :confused:

thanks for the tips. keep 'em commin.

Straight edge along the shaft?

You know a large metal ruler/straight edge laid on the shaft?

j

Axle- The wheel flange will have excess run out, if it is really bent you will see the wheel flange wobble, or if you have access to a dial indicator that would be more accurate.

On the housing- Remove both axles, and the dif. Again if you bent it significantly, you will see it as you sight down the inside of the housing, end to end.. Or better slide a steel rod inside the housing (I have a 3/4" SS bar for just this, can be checked for straightness on a piece of glass before each use) sight down the rod, if the housing is bent, you will see it in reference to the straight steel bar.

Found a shop that will chuck it up in a lathe for cheap and check the runout. so hopefully that will narrow down the problems. I'm hoping it's the shaft and not the tube.

Buy the way, what does retubing cost now a days?

If it's a semi-floater then just jack it up and take the wheels off and let the axles rotate while the engine idles. If the axles are bent at the flange then you'll see a wobble in thier rotation. You might even be able to look in your rear view mirror while driving and see it. I'm not sure if that holds true if your housing is bent though. If your spitting out wheel bearings rather quickly then your problem is likely a bent housing, not an axle. I have two spare axles with bent flanges and I have used them for a couple hundered miles several times while looking for good replacements with no ill effect to the wheel bearings. Good luck.