Abstract: According to the principle for measuring the residual stress under axle surface 2 mm, the modified formula for stripping method measuring residual stress was deduced, and the correctness of the modified formula was proved by using birth-death element method to simulate the progress of turning the axle. The axial and circumferential residual stresses under axle surface 2 mm were tested by X-ray diffraction method. The results show that the X-ray method and modified formula could measure the residual stress under axle surface 2 mm. The maximal values of axial and circumferential residual stresses appeared at 0°and 90°test points, and their value were -139.15 MPa and -105.21 MPa, respectively, and the differences of axial and circumferential residual stress in every points were less than EN13261 prescribed value of 40 MPa.