Hello. I recently bent my rear axle beam and need to get a replacement. (it was a close accident but I still couldn't avoid the median strip) I'm looking for a good place to find one cheapest. I found out the list price is about $450 for a new one. I prefer not to go to a junk yard because there is no guarantee the axle will be straight. BTW, I have a '99 SE.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TIA,
Tom

 

Is your damaged beam axle beyond hope? Perhaps it can be straightened right on the car with a tool such as the Ingalls #1036 I-beam bender. http://www.ingallseng.com/images/1036.jpg

 

Thanks Daniel for your post.
The axle is bent about 3.6 degrees upward. The garage I took the car to said the axle could be bent but it may cause more strain on the rest of the axle system. Do you think this is true?

How does this Ingalls beam bender work? And also do I have to go to a dealer to have this done or is this a common tool that any respectable shop would have?
How long would it take labor-wise to have it fixed, usually? In case it doesn't work than at least I would waste too much money on labor doing this fix.

Thanks again for your help.

Tom Simcoe

 

No.

The Ingalls #1036 is only one example of an axle bender; there are others. Many Ford pickup trucks have the Twin I-beam front suspension. Bending those beams is the routine procedure for adjusting the camber during alignment, so this is a common procedure. Find an alignment shop that does light trucks and they will have an axle bender.

The beam bender is hooked onto the axle while the car is on the alignment rack. The axle is not removed for the bending process. I hesitate to predict what somebody in another town will charge for service. My guess is they will charge their standard fee for alignment plus an additional US$20 for the axle bending. It is no big deal.

 

Daniel,
Thanks for your help. Today, i decided to take my car over to two body collision centers to have the car checked for second opinions. Basically they said they also wouldn't recommend having the axle bent back because it could create a stress fracture in the location of the current location. So, I guess I'm left with purchasing a new axle beam. It's probably safer this way also. Thanks for all your help.

Tom

 

Alas...