Broken axle - What's a good replacement brand?

[dhardison]

The 572 and sticky M/T DRs got the best of my stock axles last night and snapped the driver's side. Thank goodness for rear discs because the caliper kept the wheel on (c-clip axles) and stopped any quarter panel damage.

What's a good replacement brand for c-clip axles (12-bolt). I see that Jeg's/Summit sell Moser & Superior, but are there other good brands?

I've heard good things about the KickAss axles (KA brand) from Tom's differentials.

Thanks!

[chicane67]

I have been using Tom's stuff for years with excellent results. He does his own heat treat to the axles he uses.....

[Madspeed]

I hear that Mark Williams are the toughest out there and I believe he backs them with a Lifetime warrenty
check M/W out

Ill tell you this much
my bud that owns a machine shop needed to redrill the bolt pattern and broke 3 Diamond mill bits and did not even scratch the axle

Also I can NOT find any one that will respline a M/W axle they all say they are to hard and ruin their equipment

[dhardison]

I have been using Tom's stuff for years with excellent results. He does his own heat treat to the axles he uses.....
Any ideas on what a pair of KA axles for a 12-bolt run these days? He doesn't have pricing on his site for axles.

[dhardison]

I hear that Mark Williams are the toughest out there and I believe he backs them with a Lifetime warrenty
check M/W out

Thanks Mad, I completely forgot about M/W. I'll check them out as well.

[Madspeed]

Any time bud
My knowladge is your knowladge =)

[dhardison]

Ouch! Not the clean snap I thought it would be. Broke off just outside the driver's carrier bearing. At least all the pieces/fragments were contained to the axle tube. I was concerned it might've damaged the posi.

http://www.danhardison.com/carnage/DSC02631.JPG
http://www.danhardison.com/carnage/DSC02630.JPG

[ProdigyCustoms]

Dan, you need to think about upgrading axles now. I have twisted and broke a few stock axles at the 600HP level. C Clips really are not safe. Time for eliminators.

Whatever you decide, remeber we can hook you up with Moser stuff.

[dhardison]

Cool, thanks Frank. I've used c-clip eliminators in the past on street cars and they ALWAYS leak. Can you help with that issue?

[Madspeed]

Dan DO NOT use c clip eliminators they ARE 5H1t
the bearings are NOT big enough to take the side loading on a street car
If your really want to do it right then have ford axle ends put on and use Mark Williams axles
I have the tools to put housing ends on and narrow BTW
EDIT: oh yea I would Upgrade to an Eaton posi with 33 spline axles or a locker

[ProdigyCustoms]

Ford ends leak also. I would use a TruTrak. I do not have a solution for the leaky ends except loads of silicon

[dhardison]

I'd love to upgrade to 33 spline axles, but money precludes that at this point. I'm already running an Eaton and have been very pleased with it's service over the past 5 years. I'll probably replace the clutch pack while I have it out this time though.

Thanks for all the help guys! :twothumbs

[HILROD]

I just got a set of Superior axles from summit. They look good, way thicker than the stockers. And they come with seals and stock studs. FRANK.

[chicane67]

Any ideas on what a pair of KA axles for a 12-bolt run these days? He doesn't have pricing on his site for axles.
They run about $225.00 a pair. New solid steel clutch pack is around $85-90....

C-clip eliminators suck, period. One of the best ways to do it and for the money involved, is to use the Mark Williams 50400 axle kit. http://www.markwilliams.com/Catalog/pg9.pdf

The only problem with going to 33 spline axles is that the carrier journels get so thin... you increase the ability of failure at the carrier itself. A couple of good hits and you snap carrier bearing journels right off..... in my opinion..... getting a higher quality axle is the answer. A set of 30 spline MW 50400 axles with press on type bearings and the included housing ends is your answer.

[CarlC]

I use the KA axles with Tom's big-bearing Ford axle end kit. If memory serves the whole enchilada was about $450. So far it has worked well.

Didn't Tom's recently get bought out?

[chicane67]

Just make sure you use tapered roller bearings and not ball type.

Tom sold the Paramount business to Zues (shop manager) and then moved to the mountains to retire........

[Madspeed]

I'd love to upgrade to 33 spline axles, but money precludes that at this point. I'm already running an Eaton and have been very pleased with it's service over the past 5 years. I'll probably replace the clutch pack while I have it out this time though.

Thanks for all the help guys! :twothumbs

Bro If yo uallready have an eaton then your 90% there get the 33 spline spider gears with the new axles

[chicane67]

Bro If yo uallready have an eaton then your 90% there get the 33 spline spider gears with the new axles

Dont think that is gonna work.

You would need to open the ID of the bearing journel to fit the 33 spline axles thru..... its not as easy as just purchasing side and spider gears and slipping 33 spline axles in.

[CarlC]

The one at the top. I don't know the bearing configuration for sure, but I think it's a ball.

http://www.tomsdifferentials.com/catalog.asp?pg=8

[chicane67]

?? Its not a "SET" bearing ??

I thought it was available in a taper for the street/ax/rr giys and a ball set for the 1320 guys ??

[CarlC]

I believe it's a BB given that the bearing has an interference fit on the axle shaft, one-piece rings, and has an integral sealing system. There is a also a sweated-on ring to help retain the bearing on the shaft. However, I've seen weirder things so until I get one apart I can't say for sure. I've been told it's the large Ford Torino bearing.

Nope, not a Set 2 or X or Y. I don't know if the next axle end on the linked page will fit a 1st gen axle tube, but they are available in a TRB design.

[dhardison]

Tom sold the Paramount business to Zues (shop manager) and then moved to the mountains to retire........
I just received a 2006 catalog from Tom's with my KA axles. I see on one of the pages it states "R.I.P. Zues", so I guess he passed away.

I haven't ordered from Tom's in over 2 years until just the other day. While I'm pleased with the axles I received (visually anyway), I was not pleased with the customer service (or lack thereof). The guy taking my order seemed in a hurry to get me off the phone. When I didn't receive the axles in the time frame promised I called back and requested a tracking number. I was then transferred to some guy who I think was in there shipping department. He wasn't the friendliest dude on the planet either. It wasn't this way in the past when Tom or Zues answered the phone.

Now when I call a vendor I don't expect the person to act like I'm his long last pal, but I do expect a little common courtesy. I mean after all I'm helping keep them in business. (ok, off my soap box now).

[Madspeed]

Dont think that is gonna work.

You would need to open the ID of the bearing journel to fit the 33 spline axles thru..... its not as easy as just purchasing side and spider gears and slipping 33 spline axles in.

The Eaton posi is the only one you can use the 33 spline spders in =)and they drop in too
Sorry to hijack but it looks like your done anyways =)

[chicane67]

The Eaton posi is the only one you can use the 33 spline spders in and they drop in too

Sure the spiders will drop in...... but..... the carrier journel of the 30 spline axle unit will not accept a larger axle diameter. The 33 spline carrier case itself, is of its own dimentions.

[Norwoodx55]

Sure the spiders will drop in...... but..... the carrier journel of the 30 spline axle unit will not accept a larger axle diameter. The 33 spline carrier case itself, is of its own dimentions.
This ain't no lie. I had to have my Eaton carrier machined to accept the MW 33 spline axles I used. Had I known about the weakening of the carrier in doing this, I wouldn't have done it. Now I know.

[Madspeed]

AHA I see said the blind man who stepped on the rake and saw.
I bought the eaton years ago and still have tyet to complete the 33 spline conversion
I will reconsider


ya learn sumpfin noo every day

[chicane67]

Eaton does make a 33 spline case..... but, it still has the weak journel issue. If you were to get a real axle shaft for your differential, say a Mark Williams, a 30 spline will be more than you will ever need.

[Madspeed]

Yes it might for a whimpy big block that would have only been making 700 hp
that 496 BBC is S O L D Even though I lost my azz 13k spent 6 K returned never Fired =(
New plans are Twin Hair Dryer 427 lsX pushing 1200 hp + the the rears and Hook it too
I have m/w 35 spline axles =) I bought Steves rear end the Dana 60 =)

I like to think I knkow it all
But reality sets in and i realize I dont Know POOP =)
Thanks Chic

[chicane67]

Well, a 33 spline MW axle and utilizing their steel main caps will sure be the ticket in that situation.

But then again..... you will never hook up 1200hp to worry about braking a 30 spline MW 300M axle either.... that is for sure.

I am sure Steve's ole 60 has plenty of good parts in it !! That should do just fine for that power level !!