Help with axle welds

[severin681]

So I finally purchased my first 69 Charger after wanting the car since I was 5. I've been gung-ho about tearing it apart and, well, doing what needs to be done. I've dropped the rear axle, cleaned it, and started to prep it for some primer and paint. When I took off the old differential (I have a 3.23 posi replacing it), I was cleaning the housing of oil and some very old and terrible silicone home made gasket and I saw this. The top and bottom welds on the inside have hairline cracks in them (see attached pics). I used to work as an Industrial X-Ray technician when I was younger and these kinds of welds were always failed. But hairline cracks in 1000 degree pipes is always bad. Anyhoo, is this okay? Is it something to expect from a 45 year old car? I cringe because I have this feeling that I'm going to have to do something about it. Anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?

BTW I've been following this forum for several years and I'm always impressed at the amount of knowledge contained here.

[severin681]

View of the other weld.

[fy469rtse]

I would repair welds , get them redone , or source another housing if you really concerned
Just typical signs of abuse , how's the rest of the car

[severin681]

Thank you for the assistance! I only have the one, so a swap out is not an option. The rest of the car is great, though. None of the usual rust as it's either been replaced, or the stock undercoat still remains. It was a California Car all its life. I've removed some of the original undercoat where it chipped away from the trunk pan weld and you can still see the original color of the car, gloss red (or whatever its correct code was, some kind of red...). Been trying to find a power steamer to remove it.

[bakerhillpins]

I can't imagine that it's hard to find a 8.75 B-body rear housing? It is a 8.75 yes?    Most folks just pull the pumpkins and recycle/chuck the rest. Seems to me it would be a lot easier to just shop craigslist for a few weeks or hit a yard and get a replacement one than trying to repair it considering you already have it torn down.   

[oldkimmer]

.................yup, I'd just replace it........$100.00-$150.00 should get u 1 no problem..............kim.....

[green69rt]

Just any old 8 3/4" rear case will not do.  There are several kinds with different axle tube lengths or spring mounting locations.  Make sure you get the one for your Charger.

[green69rt]

Here's a chart of the different housings.

-  Link deleted.  -

[fy469rtse]

but ,
actually reviewing those repairs, my question is did it leak ? ,
i have a mate and that would have been repaired by people in the know , drilled and plug at bottom of crack , it stops it spreading further, professionally done by some one that knows what they are doing

[John_Kunkel]

Here's a chart of the different housings.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=58935.0;attach=104949;image

That chart should be banned from the internet. 

[c00nhunterjoe]

That chart is incorrect. 62-70 b bodies are NOT the same length! Do not shop by that chart!!!!

[green69rt]

That chart is incorrect. 62-70 b bodies are NOT the same length! Do not shop by that chart!!!!

Never knew that,  I'll delete it.


Done, but I can't delete the link inside another persons reply.

[severin681]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback. And no, fy469rtse, it did not leak. I couldn't find any cracks on the outside of the casing, and it was only there on the top of the weld you see in the pics. Couldn't find anything on the inside either. I mean it did leak, but  it wasn't from that. The prior owner tried to make some kind of diy silicone gasket that ended up turning to some kind of slimy goo, so it was leaking everywhere. around the bolts.

[rt green]

I'd just weld it and save some hassle.   have a pro do it