is this normal on the rear axle?

[azygoustoyou]

I was sand blasting the rear axle and noticed this. I know the sand blaster didn't do it. I never drove the car. so I don't know how the axle was. What is this plug or indentation for. Will something leak from here or is this all right? It's an 81

[engineerted]

Those are manufacturing holes, the axle tubes are pressed in the housing and the tube is welded to the housing thru those holes. Well at least most modern axles are, just looked at mine, nope no weld. If it is not leaking don't worry about it. Like i said they are manufacturing holes used during the machining process of the axle housing.

[azygoustoyou]

thanks Ted. That had me worried for a minute. All the work I put into cleaning up the rear axle and then I saw that. It gave me a scare.