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[Andy]

I am a new member. Just purchased a 1973 spitfire. One surprise is that the body is practically perfect with no rust except floor pans. Bad surprise is that the left rear axle appears to be bent. I am planning on doing a frame off restore. what are the probable parts damaged. The axle is visibly bent and the wheel wobbles noticeably. What are the other possible and probable items damaged and should be checked?   

[herald948]

I've been through this a few times over the years. I've seen actual bent axle shafts, and I've also seen a bent hub or two. Generally, though, that's about it. Easiest fix is to find a good used complete assembly*, change out the u-joint (just to be safe), swap your brake bits over and you're usually good to go!

*Just make sure the used assembly is the same one you have. It was 1973 that Spitfires went to the 1" longer rear axles. All else being equal, they're easy enough to spot as they have the additional metal brake pipe between the wheel cylinder and a bracket to which the flexible hose connected to the pipe. (On earlier axles, the flexible hose went directly to the wheel cylinder.) But measure the axles to be sure, because axle shafts can be swapped into hubs easily enough.

It can't hurt to check the radius arm mount to the body and look closely at both the u-joint flange and the flange on the inner axle of the differential. But with the various rubber bushings, there's usually enough "compliance" in the rear suspension that not much else usually gets bent or damaged.

Good luck!

[Andy]

found out its just the axle. took everything apart and realized i need a hub pulling tool. lucky for me i have a retired friend with a machine shop and he is going to manufacture one like the one at canley classics. if anyone knows of any tricks that i should be aware of doing rear bearings and axles, let me know