Crack in Rear axle housing.

[rustyrazor]

I have a couple of cracks in my rear axle housing. I'm going to try welding it. I'm assuming that the housing is made from mild steel. Does anyone know anything specific about the steel type? Any recommendations on what Mig wire to use?

My cousin is a ticketed welder and has a 220v mig welder in his garage and general - all purpose MIG wire.

I removed both axles from the housing and the axle from the truck and cleaned it up. I'm going to remove the differential carrier also. From looking at it closely I would guess that the axle is made by stamping out the two halves and welding them together.

The cracks have formed around the welds for the suspension mounts. I think the cause was from loose suspension parts that I've since replaced. It was clanging whenever I would hit bumps.

 

[Hyde802]

Sounds like your doing it right. It might be worth your time to beef up the mounts with some plate while your int here. .030 wire should be fine, Im sure the guy doing it will know what to do..

The housing are just stamped steel. Not the strongest thing... That why you see so many front housings with trusses on them.

 

[nevada]

mine did that also.

i didnt pay any attention to what wire i used, i dont think it will matter.

i made the repair welds, and then plated the area. the way these fracture, it will crack again if its not braced somehow.