Thread: machining an axle

Originally Posted by Tank

Most axles are case hardened and if you reduce diameter you will remove the hardening and it will need to restored after machining.When I use to have axles shortened (for drag racing) the machinist would heat axle and leave to cool in Lime powder till cold, which softens the metal, he would then cut to length and respline and re-case harden.
Is there a reason you can't use a standard size (dia.) axle, would save a lot of dough, Regards Frank.

No they aren't, they are through hardened Frank, you only case harden low carbon steel for wear or impact resistance, IIRC Keiths axles are 4340 ??

[edit] Only surface hardened Wayne ? Is that for ductility ? Oh well, shows what I know. When I used to get anti-roll bars made we just sent to the heat treaters, I have no idea how they did it. [edit] but was told they were through hardened. Can't recall now whether they were 4140 or 4340[/]

[2nd edit] Just did some reading up, Hy-Tuf is generally through hardened, stock type axle materials, eg SAE 1550 are induction (surface) hardened, so it very much depends on the material.

Originally Posted by rick130

No they aren't, they are through hardened Frank, you only case harden low carbon steel for wear or impact resistance, IIRC Keiths axles are 4340 ??

[edit] Only surface hardened Wayne ? Is that for ductility ? Oh well, shows what I know. When I used to get anti-roll bars made we just sent to the heat treaters, I have no idea how they did it.

MD/HTE axles are through-hardened.

Ashcroft are 4340 so would be through hardened as well.

AFAIK Rovertracks have offered a range of axles over the years, from 300m and 4340M to 1541H which is supplied in case hardened blanks and splined after hardening.

Originally Posted by LowRanger

Is it the whole axle or just in one spot?

The ones I have seen,it is just in one spot.The Rovertracks are surface hardened,but are able to be linished if it is just in the one spot.

Whole axle. Both spline ends fit the diff and cv fine, its the rest of the axle that's a tight fit into the swivel housing.

Can you return the axle and have them supply the correct axle, I would be wary of any manufacturer that supplies 2 different diameter axles, what are they thinking, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Vern

Whole axle. Both spline ends fit the diff and cv fine, its the rest of the axle that's a tight fit into the swivel housing.

Hmmmm that is interesting,it is the first time I have heard of one like that.
Make sure that you let Keith know,that it is the whole axle and not just the portion that fits through the swivel housing.
Possible they are no longer manufactured in the same place as previously made?
And yes,I would be asking for a replacement

Originally Posted by isuzurover

MD/HTE axles are through-hardened.

Ashcroft are 4340 so would be through hardened as well.

AFAIK Rovertracks have offered a range of axles over the years, from 300m and 4340M to 1541H which is supplied in case hardened blanks and splined after hardening.

What is 4340M? I thought it was either 4340 or 4340 300m (m being modified)???

Originally Posted by rick130

No they aren't, they are through hardened Frank, you only case harden low carbon steel for wear or impact resistance, IIRC Keiths axles are 4340 ??

[edit] Only surface hardened Wayne ? Is that for ductility ? Oh well, shows what I know. When I used to get anti-roll bars made we just sent to the heat treaters, I have no idea how they did it. [edit] but was told they were through hardened. Can't recall now whether they were 4140 or 4340[/]

[2nd edit] Just did some reading up, Hy-Tuf is generally through hardened, stock type axle materials, eg SAE 1550 are induction (surface) hardened, so it very much depends on the material.

From conversations that I have had,and axles that I have seen that have been damaged because they were the incorrect diameter where they fit through the swivel housing,they certainly aren't through hardened at that point of the axle.But being 4340 I would expect them to be through hardened where it matters.I have given mine a hard time on big rubber and they have stood the test without a whimper.But I do not know where they are made now,as mine are getting on a bit now.

Originally Posted by uninformed

What is 4340M? I thought it was either 4340 or 4340 300m (m being modified)???

300m is often called 4340M, however it was a typo - I meant to type 4340.