2000 Chevy Silverado rear axle cracked

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GAILENDERS
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Drive Train Axles Bearings problem
2000 Chevy Silverado Four Wheel Drive Automatic 114000 miles

I just noticed that the rear axle has a crack and a leak what should I do?
Mar 14, 2009 at 7:48 AM
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JDL
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Hello, maybe you need a new rear axle? I've never tried welding on an axle housing, if that's what your talking about? I've welded just about everything else.

Welding can be dangerous, I don't know if that is an option? Be safe.
Mar 14, 2009 at 8:05 AM
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MERLIN2021
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Some can be welded, others need to be replaced. Check with a welding shop. It really depends where the crack is...any pictures you can upload?
Mar 14, 2009 at 8:05 AM
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DCS1998
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I had a crank shaft out of my jet boat's 454 welded up.....

six months later I was working on a ford rearend that had a badly worn bearing surface to the axle. I called up the crank welders and asked about them building up the axle....Guy said "NEVER Weld one up!" He told me, that if a welded crank breaks it messes up an engine, if an axle breaks while going down the road some one could die.
Axles are forged from 4130 alloy steel. With 25 years in a machine shop, I have welded just about everything from Magnesium to Stainless I wouldnt try it.

On the other hand, if its the cast iron axle housing cracked. I would weld it up with a electrode with a high nickle content or a 308 stainless rod.
Mar 14, 2009 at 8:20 AM
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MERLIN2021
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Well, we dont want to see him weld internal axle shafts or gears, but sometimes they seperate right at the tube and pumpkin, this is where the factory spot welds tend to break, and then leak oil, it CAN sometimes be welded...
Mar 14, 2009 at 8:39 AM
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