A method for manufacturing a banjo-type drive axle housing for a motor vehicle, said housing having a pair of axle beam portions axially oppositely extending from a central portion, said method including the steps of:
(a) forming first and second elongated axle housing half members, each of said first and second housing half members having radially inwardly extending wall sections, each of said first and second housing half members including a pair of axle beam half portions axially oppositely extending from a banjo half portion;
(b) selecting a desired box section of said beam portions of said axle housing;
(c) selectively trimming said wall sections of said axle beam half portions of said housing half members to a degree so that more than burrs or flash material is removed so that when assembled said housing half members provide said desired box section of said beam portions of said axle housing; and
(d) fastening said trimmed housing half members to each other to produce said axle housing.
