Shortening axles??

traviswx1 · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 12:40 pm Post subject: Shortening axles??

Has anyone shortened axles and got a good, straight product in the end? I have 18 3/4 axles and need them to be 17 1/2 for my 2x3 arms. I cut a segment out of one and welded it back together but it was not straight enough... Any input would be apreciated! I kinda helped a guy do the one axle but he was in too much of a rush and it ended up off.. Free work prolly means it WONT work. I guess I get what I pay for!

jsturtlebuggy · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:19 pm Post subject:

Are you talking about stock VW axles or aftermarket torsion bar axle such as SwayAway's?
Never seen anyone cut an axle in the center and weld back together.
Aftermarket ones can be trimmed on the ends and snap ring groove can be recut.
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77charger · Samba Member Joined: November 12, 2005 Posts: 1492

you cant cut and reweld then they will be off balamce and if they are centered they need to be able to twist.

Find a machinist to trim them down,You will have to buy the next longest size then have cut to length.if you are in Lodi you amy want to try looking up grose racing hes an engine builder but a damn good machinist too and can definitely cut them down for you.I dont have his number but hes off houston street right off the freeway.
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traviswx1 · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:25 pm Post subject:

I was talking about using stock axles and cutting them because I dont think they twist much. And it makes sense to use longer aftermarkets and cutting them because they usually come with more spline. Thanks for your guys input. I may just have to end up buying a set of sway a ways because it may cost more to have one shortened. I would be able to do it if I had the right machinist tools(Lathe w/center stock).

MiketheSpike · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:46 pm Post subject:

I was wondering about this a few months ago . . .
So, I was talking with a friend of mine who works in a truck shop (tractor trailers). He said the have drive shafts and axle shafts and such with break and they have a guy who comes in and welds them back together. He wraps them in pink fiberglass insulation over night. Anyways, apparently he does good work b/c they have him come frequently.

77charger · Samba Member Joined: November 12, 2005 Posts: 1492

SamT · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:49 pm Post subject:

EVen if you balanced them and got them perfectly straight they would be weak as hell. I would be surprised if you could drive the thing offroad at all with a cut and welded axle, no matter the skill or method of the welder.

traviswx1 · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:55 pm Post subject:

I am surprised that the stock bus axles would twist, Or that the weld would break on a stock bus axle. Those welds are crazy strong, I beveled the cut ends and got full weld penetration, just couldnt get it straight. But i may be unaware of the torsional load my car can produce with a pretty much stock 1600..
Thanks for the input though..
I want to get sway a ways but im just broke and wanted to find a cheaper route.. Although I still want to test the strength of a welded axle, if its straight and balanced I bet it would hold up..


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