I'm rebuilding a totaled cherokee. After replacing the knuckle and lower
ball joint I noticed the end casting has a larger distance between the
upper and lower ball joints then the other side, 1/4". Can that cast
flange be bent back into spec? Is it safe and if so should it be done
cold or with heat?

 

You could probably find a way to chain, and jack it back to specs,
but I'd rather press it off and press on a used one, jig it, and weld it
in place, like what's done all the time with 44, 60, and 9" conversions:
http://www.trailhed.com/images/d44/done/Picture_006.jpg
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

SloanHan wrote:
>
> I'm rebuilding a totaled cherokee. After replacing the knuckle and lower
> ball joint I noticed the end casting has a larger distance between the
> upper and lower ball joints then the other side, 1/4". Can that cast
> flange be bent back into spec? Is it safe and if so should it be done
> cold or with heat?

 

You could probably find a way to chain, and jack it back to specs,
but I'd rather press it off and press on a used one, jig it, and weld it
in place, like what's done all the time with 44, 60, and 9" conversions:
http://www.trailhed.com/images/d44/done/Picture_006.jpg
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

SloanHan wrote:
>
> I'm rebuilding a totaled cherokee. After replacing the knuckle and lower
> ball joint I noticed the end casting has a larger distance between the
> upper and lower ball joints then the other side, 1/4". Can that cast
> flange be bent back into spec? Is it safe and if so should it be done
> cold or with heat?

 

You could probably find a way to chain, and jack it back to specs,
but I'd rather press it off and press on a used one, jig it, and weld it
in place, like what's done all the time with 44, 60, and 9" conversions:
http://www.trailhed.com/images/d44/done/Picture_006.jpg
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

SloanHan wrote:
>
> I'm rebuilding a totaled cherokee. After replacing the knuckle and lower
> ball joint I noticed the end casting has a larger distance between the
> upper and lower ball joints then the other side, 1/4". Can that cast
> flange be bent back into spec? Is it safe and if so should it be done
> cold or with heat?

 

You could probably find a way to chain, and jack it back to specs,
but I'd rather press it off and press on a used one, jig it, and weld it
in place, like what's done all the time with 44, 60, and 9" conversions:
http://www.trailhed.com/images/d44/done/Picture_006.jpg
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

SloanHan wrote:
>
> I'm rebuilding a totaled cherokee. After replacing the knuckle and lower
> ball joint I noticed the end casting has a larger distance between the
> upper and lower ball joints then the other side, 1/4". Can that cast
> flange be bent back into spec? Is it safe and if so should it be done
> cold or with heat?

 

Bent cast iron is garbage in my opinion.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

SloanHan wrote:
>
> I'm rebuilding a totaled cherokee. After replacing the knuckle and lower
> ball joint I noticed the end casting has a larger distance between the
> upper and lower ball joints then the other side, 1/4". Can that cast
> flange be bent back into spec? Is it safe and if so should it be done
> cold or with heat?

 

Bent cast iron is garbage in my opinion.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

SloanHan wrote:
>
> I'm rebuilding a totaled cherokee. After replacing the knuckle and lower
> ball joint I noticed the end casting has a larger distance between the
> upper and lower ball joints then the other side, 1/4". Can that cast
> flange be bent back into spec? Is it safe and if so should it be done
> cold or with heat?

 

Bent cast iron is garbage in my opinion.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

SloanHan wrote:
>
> I'm rebuilding a totaled cherokee. After replacing the knuckle and lower
> ball joint I noticed the end casting has a larger distance between the
> upper and lower ball joints then the other side, 1/4". Can that cast
> flange be bent back into spec? Is it safe and if so should it be done
> cold or with heat?

 

Bent cast iron is garbage in my opinion.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

SloanHan wrote:
>
> I'm rebuilding a totaled cherokee. After replacing the knuckle and lower
> ball joint I noticed the end casting has a larger distance between the
> upper and lower ball joints then the other side, 1/4". Can that cast
> flange be bent back into spec? Is it safe and if so should it be done
> cold or with heat?

 

That piece should be forged, we not talking about the Libby break
away lower member. But I agree, it'll be simpler and trust worthy to
replace it.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mike Romain wrote:
>
> Bent cast iron is garbage in my opinion.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's