Bent Axles

[Ken H.]

In the just-rescued Avion there was a handout from a GMCMI Niagara Falls
'94 tech session. It was a general review of front end maintenance,
including wheel bearing greasing, CV service, etc. One thing mentioned was
a big surprise to me -- I'd never heard of it before (since '98): It
claimed that front end vibrations are sometimes caused by bent axle
shafts! And that those can be bent by setting the front ride height too
low! States that the lower A-arms can contact the axles and bend them.

The author wasn't identified, so I can't talk to him, and I haven't had an
opportunity to test that proposition; but, I find it unlikely. Now maybe
back in earlier times there was a "low rider" fad where folks were running
the torsion bar adjusting bolts 'way out & maybe bleeding the air bags
down. I can't imagine even those steps would cause axle damage, but maybe
so. I'm sure the handling & ride would be awful, though.

Has anyone else heard of that?

Ken H.

 

[kosier]

Ken,

I remember that discussion at the Niagara Falls gathering. Having broken
a dozen Bilstein front shocks, I worried a little. But I never saw any
evidence
of a bent axle, I forgot about it. With the wide variation in our frames,
it
could be a problem for some people, but hopefully not me.

Gary Kosier
77PB w/500Cad
Newark, Ohio

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Ken Henderson"
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 9:25 PM
To:
Subject: [GMCnet] Bent Axles

> In the just-rescued Avion there was a handout from a GMCMI Niagara Falls
> '94 tech session. It was a general review of front end maintenance,
> including wheel bearing greasing, CV service, etc. One thing mentioned
> was
> a big surprise to me -- I'd never heard of it before (since '98): It
> claimed that front end vibrations are sometimes caused by bent axle
> shafts! And that those can be bent by setting the front ride height too
> low! States that the lower A-arms can contact the axles and bend them.
>
> The author wasn't identified, so I can't talk to him, and I haven't had an
> opportunity to test that proposition; but, I find it unlikely. Now maybe
> back in earlier times there was a "low rider" fad where folks were running
> the torsion bar adjusting bolts 'way out & maybe bleeding the air bags
> down. I can't imagine even those steps would cause axle damage, but maybe
> so. I'm sure the handling & ride would be awful, though.
>
> Has anyone else heard of that?
>
> Ken H.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[john r. lebetski]

Maybe it's a degraded /missing bump stop issue? That said when the ride height is correct the axles should be transmitting power in a straight line.
Not unlike running a ratchet with a universal on the extension, the power transmission degrades as the angle increases. Or jacking up or slamming a
GM RWD car or truck where the pinion angle is wrong if the ride height is wrong. Ride height is about "looks" instead of engineering to most and
perpetuated by lots of TV car show series. Not correct and as we know GM put ride height specs in all FSMs.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

 

[Keith V]

it seems unlikely to me as I regularly bottom out the front suspension., there is a highway crossing thats a bit of a rollercoaster

if the control arms hit the shaft, it would be then, and it would be a MAJOR design flaw!

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Gary Kosier
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 10:26:25 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bent Axles

Ken,

I remember that discussion at the Niagara Falls gathering. Having broken
a dozen Bilstein front shocks, I worried a little. But I never saw any
evidence
of a bent axle, I forgot about it. With the wide variation in our frames,
it
could be a problem for some people, but hopefully not me.

Gary Kosier
77PB w/500Cad
Newark, Ohio

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Ken Henderson"
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 9:25 PM
To:
Subject: [GMCnet] Bent Axles

> In the just-rescued Avion there was a handout from a GMCMI Niagara Falls
> '94 tech session. It was a general review of front end maintenance,
> including wheel bearing greasing, CV service, etc. One thing mentioned
> was
> a big surprise to me -- I'd never heard of it before (since '98): It
> claimed that front end vibrations are sometimes caused by bent axle
> shafts! And that those can be bent by setting the front ride height too
> low! States that the lower A-arms can contact the axles and bend them.
>
> The author wasn't identified, so I can't talk to him, and I haven't had an
> opportunity to test that proposition; but, I find it unlikely. Now maybe
> back in earlier times there was a "low rider" fad where folks were running
> the torsion bar adjusting bolts 'way out & maybe bleeding the air bags
> down. I can't imagine even those steps would cause axle damage, but maybe
> so. I'm sure the handling & ride would be awful, though.
>
> Has anyone else heard of that?
>
> Ken H.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

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