Points well-taken Josh.

I've been looking on-line and found this from Park:

"If inspecting axle, roll axle on flat surface... Bent axles cannot be re-bent. A new axle is required"

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/hub-overhaul-and-adjustment

Other axle thoughts?

veganboyjosh@gmail.com wrote:

hammering an axle straight while it's still in the hub? not trying to

stir

up an argument, but i think you're just as likely to damage the cones as

you are to straighten the axle this way. to say nothing of making the bearings out of round in a quick manner. if the axle is bent enough to matter, chances are the inside guts, bearings, cones, cups are going to need inspection anyway.

On Tue, Oct 23, 2012 at 2:12 PM, Bob Giordano mist@strans.org wrote:

...

When you hear a hammer in a community shop it is worth a quick look to

ensure there is a real need for that type of tool.

...

One good use of a hammer is to get an axle 90% straighter, by rolling

the

...

axle back and forth with one hand and delivering a moderate blow to the

bent side with your other hand (hold the rim against your chest, perpendicular), when it is obvious the bent part of the axle is in the 'up' position.

...

Deliver the blow to the axle nut- which must be on the bent side- so

you

...

do not damage threads. Not the best method, as slight damage can be

done

...

to the cone and/or bearing, yet for many bikes it is good enough and

sure

...

beats full axle replacement. Bent axles almost always occur on the drive side of a rear wheel (where

the most torque is applied during riding probably).

...

-Bob Giordano

Free Cycles Missoula Shop: 732 S. 1st St. West, 541.7284 12PM-6PM Mon-Sat Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation www.strans.org, mist@strans.org, 406-880-6834