Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi guy's im looking at buying as set of cromo axles for my sierra.
There brand new Trail Tough Double Tough axles but there is some surface rust on them (see photo)
Are these still ok to use if there is no pitting?

Cheers Mitch

I would be asking for a significant reduction in the asking price for these axles. Reason - the rust has occurred at the worst possible place. The axle is loaded mainly in torsion and the highest stress occurs at the surface. It is OK if there is no pitting, but even then there will be micro pitting and the pits will be a stress concentrator which could ultimately cause failure of the axle. Even the best of manufactured axles can have micro defects on or near the surface which can turn into stress concentrators.

Having said all this, modern axles don't seem to break very often (unlike early land rovers), so you would probably get away with it, but I would try for a really cheap price. Just point out that the rust (and micro pitting) are at the area of highest stress and that it is likely to be a stress concentrator.

Cheers date

I hadn't thought of it in that perspective, but is a valid point. My main concern was any pitting that could cause it to damage/wear out seals.

Mitchie:
Looking at the photo, I don't think there will be a problem with the axles, but it is your call...

no problem at all IMO

Your biggest concern should probly be rust where the outer axle seal is. But just clean em up and bang em in. My spares live on the back of a buggy, they are rusty it dosnt really bother me

Have you got access to a bead blaster. I just did a gearbox rebuild and the main shaft output splines had worse rust than that. Bead blast and it looks fine. Yes some micro pitting, But I doubt, if well lubricated, being a problem.

If you are concerned, bead blast and then polish. Carefull of oil seal dia though.

Cheers guys

Just scotchbrite them to clean the surface rust off

brando4x4 wrote:Just scotchbrite them to clean the surface rust off

On the money here!

To be honest, Good luck breaking them...even with pitting.