In need of a steel I beam

[Stumpalama]

Anyone have or know anyone that has a 4-5 foot chunk of I-beam I can borrow or buy?
During my full floater axle build, I discovered my axle is bent. Boooo. So I need to straighten it.

Let me know.

 

[OTRAMM]

Have you called BMG Metals to see if they have any drops? NOVA has a couple of big Acorn Platten tables in the welding lab. You might be able to talk them into straightening it.

 

[Jakes40]

THAT SUCKS!!!
I'll keep my eye out for one.

 

[Stumpalama]

Thanks... I guess it's a good thing I picked up that alignment bar...

 

[Explorer4Hire]

how will you straighten it? Let me know if you need help.

 

[OTRAMM]

Hey Stump do you have a torch with a rosebud? You could always flame straighten it like the circle track guys do.

 

[Stumpalama]

Ryan, I do not. I was contemplating the heat and pressure technique. I need to ID the exact location of the bend. I believe it is either at the wrap bar mount, or the spring perch from welding.
I was going to see about obtaining an oxy-acetylene setup or running a hot weld to pull the axle back into alignment.

 

[OTRAMM]

Have you tried scowling at it really hard? Your a big enough guy it might just whip it in to shape

 

[Stumpalama]

Ha ha! I gave it my best, but it wouldn't budge. Actually, BMG has a 15ft piece of 6x4 12# I-beam for $99. Does anyone need 10ft or a fraction thereof of I-beam for a good price? It would be perfect for a chain hoist runner.

 

[Jakes40]

It's probably at the anti-wrap bar mount.

 

[Explorer4Hire]

So, what do you do? Flush it with the ibeam and heat the curvature while you ratchet the balls out of the ends?

 

[Stumpalama]

It's the rear axle housing and I am making a full floater, so it's about getting the spindle (just like the front ones) aligned.

The idea is to set the axle housing on jack stands on the I beam, with the bend facing down,then strap the axle down to the i beam with a heavy chain and use a bottle jack to push the axle back straight. You know when it's done when the jig slides onto the axle housing.

This explains it better: Straightening A Bent Dana 44 Axle - Get Bent

 

[Jakes40]

I've never done it this way we used a 50T press and a welder (for heat) last time I did one.
This sounds like fun!!

 

[macattack_ga]

Want to use a ramp off my flatbed trailer? Heavy freaking duty.

 

[Stumpalama]

You think it'll hold up to about 6000lbs of force to bend an axle?

 

[macattack_ga]

Yep.

Sent from my SM-G900V

 

[Stumpalama]

Yep.

Sent from my SM-G900V

OK, I promise not to keep IT for 4 months.