I have noticed my front drivers side tire leans in at the top, it appears the axle housing is slightly bent. I am thinking I could cut the top of the tube just behind the knuckle and reweld it at the correct alignment. Am I on the right track?
Any tricks on this repair? Alignment?
Thanks for your help.

 

Get a new axle...a LOT less trouble.

 

I vote for the new housing. If that geometry isn't 100% exact, I can't imagine parts inside lasting for more than a few months.

I'm not too familiar with the front axle, but if its anything like the rear axle I could see premature wear happening specifically in the bearings.

 

I would think it considerably easier and a whole lot faster to cut the top 70% of the tube set it to the correct angle tack it and then weld a nice cool bead rather than R&R the third, axle shafts, breaks etc...
I was more concerned with geometry but looking at it there doesn't seem to be much deflection maybe 1/8 to 3/16" and this is the long axle side I bet it had more than that before I replaced the badly worn knuckle bearings. Am I missing something?

 

You asked for an opinion and I gave you mine...it is your axle.

Pull the long side birf/axle and you can tell if it is bent if it won't come out.

 

A few things I've learned...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f160...-tippy-136322/

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...t-ride-113260/

Enjoy! I learned lots!!!!

 

Thanks Wabbit, I pulled the axle a couple of months ago when I regeared and rebuilt the knuckles. It must be a very slight bend, I don't remember it being tight.
I am leaning toward repairing it and fabing a small gusset. If there is a failure the axle seal should be first to go that should be easy to spot (gear lube in the knuckle).

 

Well it seemed like a good idea to straighten the axle housing - Wrong!
If you are thinking of trying to straighten an axle housing forget it, too much trouble and still not able to get the correct geometry the bend is like a banana and the relationship of the knuckle bearing axis to the inner seal is impossible to recover
I need a good straight front axle housing for my 85 4runner. and soon I have 4 weeks before my trip to Colorado.