Axle snapped while Autocrossing

[rrelco]

Need advise....my axle broke right at the bearing race i have many hard races and willow track times on these but not sure what brand they are as i had someone replace them a few years ago.

I would love to convert this 12 bolt to a floater but funds are not there. and as you can see this was probably the best place for this to have broke. Need replace wilwood backing plate as that got chewed up, as for the rotor aluminum from the caliper got on the surface could probably remove that.

what are some good axles that i could use to get his on the road again?

[icemanrd19]

side note what happened to the wheel and the car?

[David Pozzi]

I moved this to Suspension.
After a couple of years autocrossing I had to freshen the Positraction in Mary's 10 bolt. I decided that it was worth it to change out the axles, even though they were already aftermarket. I replaced them with the same Superior Axles which seemed to be a good brand. The second set had a bent flange on one axle, it looked like it had been dropped from a height before being boxed. It was returned and I got another set. After a couple of years we found the axles had lateral runout at the rotors. Removing them and chucking them in my lathe by the bearing area, they had no runout. I figured out they must have been twisting and the bent area was in the middle of the axle. Plugging the small end back into the diff & checking runout made it wobble. Anyway, I no longer think Superior Axles are very good. I got a pair of axles from the Ten Factory that are Chrome Molly and they looked great and seem to be good. I painted a stripe down each axle so I can tell if they twist. I don't know if they are the best, they are a division of Motive Gear, their website does not say anything is made in the USA. I think they would say it if it were USA made. http://www.tenfactory.com/

After seeing a few engine and drivetrain failures in some USCA cars this year, it would be a good idea to start some preventive maintenance threads.

[HELLCAMINO]

I had the same thing happen last spring at my first autocross with my newly rebuilt 12 bolt rear. I raced for about 4 years (about 4 races a year) with the stock 10 bolt one legger with 3.08's>>>>>never a problem. I built the 12 bolt with new 3.73's Eaton posi and ALLOY USA axles. I had maybe 300 miles on them and it snapped at the flange like yours on my second lap.
Turned out to be faulty axles. I would not take a replacement from them (bought them thru Summit). I wanted better this time and got Moser's (Summit swapped them out at no extra cost). Looks like yours were not heat treated correctly, just like mine. See how porous the metal is? Like it was only holding together by the size of a nickel, maybe a quarter?

My rear steer....LOL

[High Plains Mopars]

If you can't remember who made them, then you probably can't follow up with any analysis or refunds.

I'd certainly stick with more reputable suppliers for these, like Strange, Moser, Mark Williams, Speedway Engineering or similar made in USA offerings.

[rrelco]

thanks for the info guys, this happened on my 6th run and the course had a Chicane at the start and then a 270 to a sharp sweep it broke right after the sweep, so the speed was slow as for the wheel thanks for the fixed calipers as the wheel would have came off if it was the floating type.

[rrelco]

If you can't remember who made them, then you probably can't follow up with any analysis or refunds.

I'd certainly stick with more reputable suppliers for these, like Strange, Moser, Mark Williams, Speedway Engineering or similar made in USA offerings.

i thinks they were superior axles i am going with a good
US made ones

[nokones]

I had the samething happen to me with a Dana 44 diff in my 3rd Gen 1LE Camaro. I replaced the axles with Moser Engineering Axles and never had a problem. Just let them know what you want to do with the car so they know how to build your axles.

[Skip Fix]

Add Dutchman Axles to the list, they will even make the brake pilot longer for rear discs and hubcentric wheels!

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

Sorry to see that but I'm glad that there was no major damage. We recommend, and sell, Strange Engineering axle packages. We feel they are the best in the industry. You might also consider Dutchman axles.

I moved this to Suspension.
After a couple of years autocrossing I had to freshen the Positraction in Mary's 10 bolt...I got a pair of axles from the Ten Factory that are Chrome Moly and they looked great and seem to be good. I painted a stripe down each axle so I can tell if they twist. I don't know if they are the best, they are a division of Motive Gear, their website does not say anything is made in the USA. I think they would say it if it were USA made. http://www.tenfactory.com/

Motive gears are made in Italy. They're good stuff and are sometimes sold through Strange. I'm not sure where their axles are made but I'm curious.

I'd certainly stick with more reputable suppliers for these, like Strange, Moser, Mark Williams, Speedway Engineering or similar made in USA offerings.

Speedway carries Currie axles; I don't think they make any of their own. If they do, I doubt they are US made.

[rrelco]

Sorry to see that but I'm glad that there was no major damage. We recommend, and sell, Strange Engineering axle packages. We feel they are the best in the industry. You might also consider Dutchman axles.



Motive gears are made in Italy. They're good stuff and are sometimes sold through Strange. I'm not sure where their axles are made but I'm curious.



Speedway carries Currie axles; I don't think they make any of their own. If they do, I doubt they are US made.

I did look at Ductchman an i like what i see ill give them a call

[TheJDMan]

Note the rusty area of the break, that axle has been cracked for awhile maybe even since it was new.

[1BADBET]

By far the most affordable USA made axle is Toms KA axles, super nice stuff and Tom usually answers the phone himself.... I'd give em a call

[HELLCAMINO]

Anyone got any info on Revolution Gear and Axle?

Found them by accident searching on Google, because after reading all the above on Superior axles I now need a set for my Chevelle (it has Superior axles that I've had for 12 years now). Got me a bit scared!

http://www.revolutiongear.com/

[Staged 2Discover]

I've also got Superior axles in my 12 bolt and have never had an issue and am NOT worried. Before getting into the pro touring side, the same car used to pull the wheels. Periodically I had the axles out they checked out ok. I believe the strip is the toughest load on twisting axles. Done it with stock GM axles that were noteably smaller in diameter than the aftermarket ones. Sometimes we have bearing and other diff issues that could mistaken for bad axles.


With respect to the Unkown brand of axle breaking, it does look like a manufacturing / heat treating problem. We also have to also remember that there are only so many companies that forge axles. This kind of process is extremely expensive to set up and I doubt many aftermarket suppliers have their own forge. So good quality control before it goes out to the customer is the key to selection of a good supplier.

Tom

[Skip Fix]

Tom's is a great source also for rear end parts-often less expensive than even Summit!

Dutchman guys were great to talk to. When I talked to Moser about a longer brake pilot they said all wheels can be lugcentric-well the factory wheel and lugnuts are 0.050 difference in size so no I needed hubcentric. Strange said they could maybe use Ford blanks as they had a longer brake pilot than GM blanks-but it would all be custom. Dutchman got it done and they work good.