AMC 20 axle housing bent

[thistle3585]

I have an AMC20 rear axle with an unknown locker in it and it seems that the housing is bent and is leaking. I don't have the skill or knowledge to straighten it, so I thought I'd replace it. I also don't like the locker because it is a daily street driver, so I'll look at going back to the original 3.54 gearing. I've searched the forum for axle swaps but only seem to find info on wide trac axles and/or swapping to Dana 44s. I'm starting a search for a new axle so I'm wondering what my options would be for a "plug and play" other than an AMC20 ?

Edit: I found an axle at a salvage yard for $AMC 150 , so I think I'll go with it. I'll probably pull the locker and sell it to cover the cost of the new axle.

 

[Torxhead]

There is always the possible chance of purchasing another bent axle housing, the AMC20 is well known for that. You might want to look around for a shop that can straighten that thing out and weld on a brace to keep it straight. If you can get a AMC20 axle for that price that is straight, it does sound like the best deal for you though.

 

[johnbilt]

The Dana 44 is a strong axle and many do choose to swap these. However, The AMC20 has a larger ring gear and is quite strong if you fix the weak links which is the tubes and the two piece axles. Perhaps you already have the upgraded 1 piece axles since you have a locker??

 

[johnbilt]

I don't know what size tires you are running, but 3.54 is a bit tall. You may want to refer to an rpm chart and make sure you have the desired ratio. You will obviously have to change front and rear.

 

[gert]

I know at least one of the axle companies replaces the tubes in AMC20 axles with much thicker tubes. You could spend a few dollars on that sell your locker you dont like and be back on the road with a far superior axle that is much less likely to bend in the future I just cant seem to find which company it was at the moment, saw it in an axle building article

 

[thistle3585]

The axle the salvage yard had wasn't an AMC20 so I'm back to looking.

 

[Posi]

I have an AMC20 rear axle with an unknown locker in it and it seems that the housing is bent and is leaking.

You don't seem positive the tube is bent. Take a straight edge and check the tube top and bottom, front and rear as well. Be positive the tube is bent it could just be a leaking oil seal.

 

[wm69]

Might have just had a tube work loose from the pumpkin. If that's the case you can have someone pull it straight and weld the tubes up.

 

[thistle3585]

We've replaced the seals three times. Shaft looks straight so we're guessing it to be the housing. There isn't anywhere locally that I can find to straighten it. I really don't feel comfortable doing it myself. Besides, if I were to keep it I'd end up having to swap out the locker so I figured I might as well find a replacement.

 

[Posi]

Shaft looks straight so we're guessing it to be the housing.

Why guess, put the straight edge on it.

 

[gert]

We've replaced the seals three times. Shaft looks straight so we're guessing it to be the housing. There isn't anywhere locally that I can find to straighten it. I really don't feel comfortable doing it myself. Besides, if I were to keep it I'd end up having to swap out the locker so I figured I might as well find a replacement.

There is another reason the seals could be leaking, one that frustrates me to no end. If you have groove(s) worn into the axle shaft you will have a really hard time getting any seal to work because the axle housing fluid seeps past the groove. The fix is axle shaft replacement
Dont forget that you can ship your housing to one of the axle companies and they can straighten it for you

 

[thistle3585]

I called a couple companies about straightening and rebuilding it but no one called me back. I have found an AMC20 axle for $40 and it comes with the ring and pinion set that I want, so I don't see much sense spending any time or money on this one if I don't have to. I'm going to go look at it next week.

 

[gert]

I called a couple companies about straightening and rebuilding it but no one called me back. I have found an AMC20 axle for $40 and it comes with the ring and pinion set that I want, so I don't see much sense spending any time or money on this one if I don't have to. I'm going to go look at it next week.

thats even better

 

[wm69]

Yep, better get moving though! Deals usually tend to get snapped up!

<-----Guy who missed a $100 working Warn 8274 last week because I told the guy I'd be there after work instead of cutting out early.

<-----Guy who agreed on $500 for a 3.31 AMC20 with Superior Axles and an ARB AND a Widetrac Dana 30 with 3.31's, to be picked up the following morning. Someone else offered more, and the seller accepted. (still miffed about that, we agreed on a price, pick up time etc, and an hour before I was to meet him he said he'd had a higher offer and wanted to know if I wanted to "bid")

 

[thistle3585]

Yep, better get moving though! Deals usually tend to get snapped up!

I am meeting him tomorrow morning. Even got a grill for $40. My wife wants to hang it on the wall as wall art.

Any suggestion as to one piece axles for this? It is going to be a daily street driver. Also, should I bother with trussing it? If so, is that something I make myself or buy?