I was faced with a similar problem this fall with an old axle from a trailer I was rehabbing, and I finally opted to just buy a new axle when I found out how cheap it was, especially compared to having a wheel lock up or come off when going 45mph+. Now that would cost more than an axle, wouldn't it? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A much better quality axle than the one I was trying to fix was only $75 or so.