Can a Deformed Car Rear Axle Be Repaired?
2 Answers
Car rear axle deformation can be repaired. Below is relevant information about car rear axles: 1. Overview: The car rear axle refers to the axle at the rear of the vehicle. For front-wheel-drive vehicles, the rear axle merely serves as a trailing axle, functioning only for load-bearing purposes. Typically, a transfer case is also installed in front of the rear axle. 2. Working Principle: The engine transmits power to the transmission, which then transfers it to the large gear plate on the rear axle (differential). The differential is an integrated unit containing: upper and lower small gear plates with a cross-shaped column in the middle, equipped with two small planetary gears (serving the purpose of turning and speed regulation). The differential is placed vertically, with two small circular holes on either side featuring sliding keys. The commonly mentioned half-shaft is inserted here. During straight-line driving, the cross-shaped column remains stationary, while during turns, it moves to adjust the rotation speeds of both tires, thereby enhancing the vehicle's maneuverability during cornering.
I've driven trailers for several years, and rear axle deformation really depends on the situation. Minor bends can indeed be straightened - repair shops use jacks with specialized clamps to gradually adjust it back, followed by a wheel alignment to calibrate the tire angles. But for severe deformation, it's not worth the trouble, especially if there are cracks or stress concentration points. Forced correction will cause creaking noises when driving, and may even lead to sudden breakage at high speeds. I once helped a customer with a pickup whose rear axle was hit by falling rocks - the body shop spent three days restoring it, only for the weld points to crack six months later, wasting money and causing delays. Nowadays, repair equipment is much more advanced with laser alignment tools detecting 0.1mm deviations, but I'd recommend replacing the axle housing entirely if deformation exceeds 3mm - safety comes first.
