9" axle housing looks bent.

[Chucks66]

Hello again, I have another question for all you guys. The rear end that came with the 1966 F100 truck looks as if both tubes sag towards the center housing. Looks to be about a 1/2 inch and both sides look even. I am getting ready to put it back under the truck but want to make sure that I don't need to straighten it. Question is was it meant to be this way or not? Everything in my mind says to straighten it. Any help or info would be appreciated!

[LM14]

It should be straight.

To check how much it is bent with the rearend out of the vehicle, we use a pretty simple method on race car stuff. The housing has to have the center section and both axles in it for a non-floating rearend like a half ton (9". 8.8 etc). If it's a 3/4 ton on up and has floating axles/safety hubs, you can do it without axles.

1. Bolt tires and wheels on both ends of the rearend.
2. Pick up each end and set it on a wheel or tire and wheel lying on the floor so it can't roll away.
3. Place a long straight edge on top of the tires so it rests in the center tread of each tire, directly above the axle line of the housing. You want it running side to side over the housing and resting on the 2 wheels/tires you bolted on.
4. Slowly rotate the housing. The bends will show up as the toe changing in and out. Having the straight edge lets you measure it.

If it's bent less than a half inch, you can straighten it with a torch and cold water. If that's the case, let me know and I'll walk you thru the procedure. If it's more than a half inch, I usually take them to a professional.

SPark

[Chucks66]

Thanks, I will check it out in the next day or two.