Cutting axles

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Wagon of Death

Wagon of Death

Aussie Barracuda Fisherman
Joined
Aug 30, 2009
Messages
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Location
Brisbane,Aust
8 3/4 in 68 Barracuda... Im tipping Im going to have to go the green bearings now but I want to trim 3/4 to an inch off each side to accomodate wheels..Is there a rule of thumb of how much can be removed without issue..Been looking for a how to but that doesnt really explain the axles,Is there a how to for this?...
Im an Aussie ...I know new ones are cheap ish in the US...but not for me,given the exchange rate and the freight is a killer
 
Wagon of Death said:
8 3/4 in 68 Barracuda... Im tipping Im going to have to go the green bearings now but I want to trim 3/4 to an inch off each side to accomodate wheels..Is there a rule of thumb of how much can be removed without issue..Been looking for a how to but that doesnt really explain the axles,Is there a how to for this?...
Im an Aussie ...I know new ones are cheap ish in the US...but not for me,given the exchange rate and the freight is a killer
Click to expand...
I can't help you with your problem but I can tell you I do like your username..:thumbsup:..
 
Just my opinion, but if you're only going to remove 3/4-1" per side, you'd be way ahead of the game just to make up that difference with wheel backspacing instead of cutting things up, especially since it sounds like you're going with new/wider wheels anyway...
 
If you cut some off the axle it won't fit in the housing further I don't think.
 
As ^^^ points out, you'd have to narrow the housing first!.. but I think you know that and are asking how much you can cut off the axle ends and still have enough spline.

As others have noted, a different backspacing on the wheels might be the better route, or a different model years rear axle assembly that may be a different overall, drum to drum, width. Doing that right now myself on my '64 Dodge 440, taking out the '64 rear end and putting in a '66 that is 1.75" narrower drum to drum!
 
I agree with toolmanmike. OEM axles don't have much extra spline to work with. Aftermarket axles tend to have extended splines, but either way, measurements would have to be very precise to keep the axles from butting and/or not having enough spline engagement in the carrier. I believe minimum engagement is the diameter of the axle.

I have had aftermarket axles cut a bit locally, but I don't know how they did it. It would require some type of cooling and a slow pace to keep from overheating the end. But bottom line, I wouldn't do it with OEM axles and suggest the other options..
 
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