How to tell if you have a bent solid front axle??

[GM Man]

So I picked up a 85 front axle this past weekend, and I have been reading that some members have bent their housings.  Where do these axles bend at on the long side, and is it very obvious?  I have looked over my axle and I cant find anything that looks like its bent..  Thanks!!

[87pickup]

I have always heard of them bending where the knuckle ball and axle tube meet.

[crawlerdan]

if the axle is bent where the knuckle balls meets the tube, your birfields will either not come out or go in, or will be extremely hard to. they are a tight fit as it is, but if you bend the axle tube, it becomes close to impossible quickly

[Slolyfe]

Lots of threads on this!

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=58022.0;highlight=bent+axle

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?action=search2

[GM Man]

Thanks for the info I'll be doing my homework now...  I'm guessing that a axle ball gusset kit would take care of this??   

[crawlerdan]

Thanks for the info I'll be doing my homework now...  I'm guessing that a axle ball gusset kit would take care of this??   

it will not fix a bent axle, no- and may CAUSE  a bent axle if you do not weld it correctly

heat= warp

warp= bend

[Slolyfe]

it will not fix a bent axle, no- and may CAUSE  a bent axle if you do not weld it correctly

heat= warp

warp= bend

X2

The ball gussets prevent axle bending after installed, they dont fix an already bent one.

[drayday55]

try taking out the birfs.  if they are easy a pain to take out most likely you have a bent housing.
when i got my new one and slid the birfs in, i knew right away taht my old one was indeed bent.
it is easyier to tell empty on the ground.  it has a good arch to  it.  nothing that shows in pictures.

a local frame and axle shop said they could straighten it but  i decided to get a new one.

i always go to the local junk yards. ill pull one for you .
if you can wait till sale day its 1/2 off but it might not be there anymnore