Well, bending basically goes up exponentially as you increase the length of the span, so it really depends on how much of a safety margin was originally calculated into the housing. As people have bent stock housings, I’d err on the side of caution and reinforce the axle.
+3" each side.
Wouldn't think that would make that much of a difference but here is the added separation between knuckle and perch that creates my concern:
