Front axles bent- how?

[Lkwelch]

I was curious if anyone knows why front axles bend. I just find it interesting since they are in a tube and have joints at the end instead of flanges. Just curious. I can understand how they could twist torsionaly.

 

[Cottontail]

How do you know the shafts are bent?

 

[Lkwelch]

I was just asking how it could happen or if it does. Just being theoretical.

 

[Cottontail]

The tubes can bend, and have done that myself, but never seen a shaft bend.

 

[xcm]

Axle shafts get bent in transit from time to time..

 

[outlander]

You can twist a axle shaft at the splines...but that takes a crap ton of torque

 

[lazyxj]

Due to the alloys and heat treating used, axles usually don't bend, they break.
The flange may bend but forces strong enough to bend an axle would cause a lot of other damage.
Just about all the damage front axles I have seen have been from u-joint and ear failures. U-joints with full circle clips are a good idea.