put the samurai on my lift after my last wheeling trip looks like all my front axle parts came just in time. guess i'll see if its striaght after i tear it down

You didn't feel that when it happened? that's why I use skid plates!

I smashed in my front diff after switching axles and going to Johnson Valley.  Luckily I didn't do enough damage to reach the gears and destroy the ARB, when I got back I removed the diff and beat it back out straight.  Then put the pipe-cap diff protector on from the old axle.

whatch when you're beating it back out because it's very thin.

I'm not sure it happens all the time but I've found some housings that have a dimple in them and they won't take 512/462's without banging out the bump. I had put in a few sets in different zukes with no problem and when I swapped out the housings in the 413K with newer housings I found the gears were locked solid. After looking and trying to figure this out I took it all apart and it was only when I pulled the pot out that I noticed the teeth hitting the front housing cover.

I grabbed the hammer and punch and went to town on the cover...by this time I was a little pissed. I ended up punching a big hole in the front. I went out and bought big pipe covers. Normally these are cut in half and used as armour for their diff covers but I just cut out the rest of the beat up cover and welded the whole heavy cover in its place. I just added a fill plug and watched not to put too mush heat to keep things straight.

I add the armour to all the housings now.

whatch when you're beating it back out because it's very thin.

I usually use a piece of soft 1x1 wood as a punch so it absorbs most of the shock.  Same thing I use when pounding out body panels.  A rubber mallet helps as well.

as long as its straight im going to cut it out and build my own cover from 1/4" plate . i was driving through a clear cut full of stumps in about 18" of snow. i bounced over a few but neever felt a really solid hit.

as long as its straight im going to cut it out and build my own cover from 1/4" plate.

There is no reason to cut it out unless it is already smashed in.  I would just build your new cover onto the existing system.  Low Range has 3 different designs for you to check out. 

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/samarmor.htm

look at the pic that bump next to the fill plug is the bolt that holds the lock tab is pushed thru the cover