Abstract: A method of repairing a vehicle axle housing comprising the steps of enlarging a center passageway in the axle housing by, for example, boring, providing a stepped elongate sleeve having an outside diameter greater than the diameter of the enlarged center passageway of the axle housing, heating the axle housing to further enlarge the center passageway, inserting the sleeve in the center passageway and securing by, for example, welding, the sleeve to the axle housing. Typically, the axle housing will be broken into two sections and the above steps will be performed on the sections as well an additional step relating to trimming, by grinding or other suitable process, the opposed ends of the axle housing sections adjacent the fracture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is directed to onsite repair of vehicle front axle steering components. The apparatus includes a pair of generally mirror-image members coupled by linear bearings and locking devices assembly provides rotary power to a boring bar which extends between the members and through the eye of the axle and a second drive assembly advances the boring bar axially along the eye. The mirror-image members accept pairs of an assortment of collars which adapt the apparatus to various sizes of eye diameters and corresponding boring bar sizes. The method includes the steps of selecting appropriate pairs of collars and a boring bar, positioning the members on the axle, tightening the apparatus to the axle and making appropriate cutting passes, typically a rough and finish cut, through the eye of the axle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is directed to onsite repair of vehicle front axle steering components. The apparatus includes a pair of generally mirror-image members coupled by linear bearings and locking device which secure them to the ends of the axle. A first drive assembly provides rotary power to a boring bar which extends between the members and through the eye of the axle and a second drive assembly advances the boring bar axially along the eye. The mirror-image members accept pairs of an assortment of collars which adapt the apparatus to various sizes of eye diameters and corresponding boring bar sizes. The method includes the steps of selecting appropriate pairs of collars and a boring bar, positioning the members on the axle, tightening the apparatus to the axle and making appropriate cutting passes, typically a rough and finish cut, through the eye of the axle.

Abstract: An apparatus for rebuilding vehicle axles permits rapid repair at the failure site. The rebuilding apparatus includes a substantially conventional boring machine having specially configured mounting components which facilitate securement of the apparatus to various axle structures. Such components include a plurality of mounting plates, one of which is selected to match the bolt circle pattern on a specific axle. The plate is secured to the axle and the boring machine is secured to the plate. Vertical and horizontal adjustment devices facilitate accurate alignment of the boring tool with the vehicle axle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rebuilding vehicle axles permits rapid repair at the failure site. The method comprises the steps of removing the damaged terminal portion of the axle including threads and bearing surfaces, boring a concentric cylindrical cavity within the axle, cutting radially oriented passages in the axle wall which intersect the cavity, providing a replacement terminal axle portion, and inserting the terminal axle portion into the cavity and securing the replacement axle portion into the axle by weldments or other suitable means. The rebuilding apparatus includes a substantially conventional boring machine having specially configured mounting components which facilitate securement of the apparatus to various axle structures.

Abstract: A power driven grinding machine for resurfacing the journal of trailer and vehicle axles in place on the vehicle is disclosed. The grinding machine comprises an elongate frame which is concentrically and rotatably mounted upon the vehicle axle and which includes a powered grinding wheel assembly. This assembly is translatable along the frame in a direction parallel to the vehicle axle and revolves with the frame about the axis. The grinding wheel is adjusted into longitudinal and radial registry with the bearing to be resurfaced. When power is applied, torque resulting from the frictional engagement of the rotating grinding wheel and the stationary bearing surface rotates the entire grinding machine about the axle, uniformly grinding all bearing surfaces about the periphery of the bearing.