Axle musings

[StG58]

$5k+ for both, essentially, and don't you end up with the same axle ratio as a stock SE?

Yup, 4.10...and I'm going to 5.13. The 2.5 needs all the help it can get when you're crawling. Lucky for me, highway cruising is a non-issue.

 

[lowranger]

You probably won't find them in 27 spline. The 1541H seem to be a worthy upgrade if not doing a full Super 35 type set up. Here is some info on another site, *****************/f282/re-axle-a-Dana 35-worth-it-or-waste-of-time-2026081.html
Substitute wrangler forum for the stars, one word.

I already have the Yukon 4.56 gears and the Eaton E-locker carrier.

 

[Rob5589]

Yes... YA M35C-27-L-HD and YA M35C-27-R-HD are the P/B's that I found. $250 each.

Ahhh, those are different than the first ones you listed.

 

[StG58]

Ahhh, those are different than the first ones you listed.

Right, sorry about that...I have about six things going on simultaneously at the moment. I still haven't read the thread that you posted earlier either. I'll get to it soon though. The prices that I posted are first cut off the web prices...I'm hoping to shave those a little as I get closer to doing the build.

I'm actually thinking of picking up a Dana 30 and Dana 35 axle housing set. I might have a line on an HP Dana 30 out of an XJ. I was thinking of snatching it up. It's not particularly useful for what I do, but it's free, so what the heck. It might be nice to put the axles together out of the TJ and then just swap them. I could take my time doing the gears that way.

 

[Mike_H]

Go high pinion, esp if it free!

 

[StG58]

You probably won't find them in 27 spline. The 1541H seem to be a worthy upgrade if not doing a full Super 35 type set up. Here is some info on another site, *****************/f282/re-axle-a-Dana 35-worth-it-or-waste-of-time-2026081.html
Substitute wrangler forum for the stars, one word.

OK, finally got a change to take a breath and read the article that you linked to @Rob5589. I also chased down the link in that article for Dutchman Machine. You and Jerry were saying, for my specific uses, in that thread, that a 1541H alloy might be preferable over a 4340 hardened axle? Jerry was talking about breaking the button off of the axle shaft mostly with the Dana 35 and how it's a non-issue. You and someone else where talking about alloys and shaft stiffness vs. strength vs. longevity. My take away from that discussion is while the 4340 is ultimately stronger on paper, the 1541H may actually live longer in the real world. Oh man, if I can get cheaper, more reliable AND more available that's a three way win.

What's your thoughts, buddy?

 

[Rob5589]

The metallurgy of axles is beyond me. That thread had info that made sense, mostly. Like Jerry, I can't recall ever seeing a c-clip button break. Not to say it can't happen, anything can happen. I do know that we used to run certain components, like Richmond Pro gears, that are actually "softer" so they have some give under extreme conditions. So the 1541H being "softer" and being able to give some before snapping makes sense. For what you are planning, any upgrade will work and give some peace of mind.

 

[StG58]

The metallurgy of axles is beyond me. That thread had info that made sense, mostly. Like Jerry, I can't recall ever seeing a c-clip button break. Not to say it can't happen, anything can happen. I do know that we used to run certain components, like Richmond Pro gears, that are actually "softer" so they have some give under extreme conditions. So the 1541H being "softer" and being able to give some before snapping makes sense. For what you are planning, any upgrade will work and give some peace of mind.

True that. And I have to think about what's likely to fail. Axles are field serviceable. Gears aren't. Neither is an AX-5 transmission. The NP231J isn't a problem, nor are the drive shafts. If I'm going to break something, an axle makes the most sense. As long as it doesn't take out the differential I'd be happy. Use my stock axles for spares.

 

[StG58]

So, if you blow an axle in a Dana 35, how likely is it to take out something in the differential? Never blown one up before .

 

[Fouledplugs]

The metallurgy of axles is beyond me. That thread had info that made sense, mostly. Like Jerry, I can't recall ever seeing a c-clip button break. Not to say it can't happen, anything can happen. I do know that we used to run certain components, like Richmond Pro gears, that are actually "softer" so they have some give under extreme conditions. So the 1541H being "softer" and being able to give some before snapping makes sense. For what you are planning, any upgrade will work and give some peace of mind.

Thr c-clip earns a bad rap because if you do break an axle shaft on the trail there is nothing that will retain the shaft that is now (for this example) broken in the axle tube. This results in the wheel and tire becoming disconnected from the others.
NOTE:Internet sourced pics. Google results came back with tons of pics, apparently its common.

You

 

[Fouledplugs]

So, if you blow an axle in a Dana 35, how likely is it to take out something in the differential? Never blown one up before .

Getting all the metal fragments,(if there are any) can be hard to get them all. Ive seen a lot of spider gears fail but a locker should solve that issue. Stuff seems to break a lot more down here in the south east. I think we have much harder trails, but that may be biased. :devil:

 

[StG58]

Thr c-clip earns a bad rap because if you do break an axle shaft on the trail there is nothing that will retain the shaft that is now (for this example) broken in the axle tube. This results in the wheel and tire becoming disconnected from the others.
NOTE:Internet sourced pics. Google results came back with tons of pics, apparently its common.
View attachment 34065 View attachment 34066 View attachment 34067 View attachment 34068 View attachment 34069 View attachment 34070 You

I get that, I've seen the pictures before. There a whole Web site full of them.

Getting all the metal fragments,(if there are any) can be hard to get them all. Ive seen a lot of spider gears fail but a locker should solve that issue. Stuff seems to break a lot more down here in the south east. I think we have much harder trails, but that may be biased. :devil:

I think there's a lot more tire spinning going on down in the South East. Probably all the snotty mud. It's something to think about, for sure.

 

[Rob5589]

The open carrier spiders are weak but you plan on a TT so that won't be an issue. Usually the axle will simply twist and snap off. There will be some crap left behind that will need to be cleaned out when you can. If running hard, carrying a spare axle is a good idea. Like FP said, a big issue is the axle is no longer retained after breaking.

 

[fljeeper]

Right, sorry about that...I have about six things going on simultaneously at the moment. I still haven't read the thread that you posted earlier either. I'll get to it soon though. The prices that I posted are first cut off the web prices...I'm hoping to shave those a little as I get closer to doing the build.

I'm actually thinking of picking up a Dana 30 and Dana 35 axle housing set. I might have a line on an HP Dana 30 out of an XJ. I was thinking of snatching it up. It's not particularly useful for what I do, but it's free, so what the heck. It might be nice to put the axles together out of the TJ and then just swap them. I could take my time doing the gears that way.

If you are wanting a good Dana 35, I just replaced mine with a Dana 44. It is drum to drum from a Florida jeep so it does not have the Northern winter salt corrosion issues. The part number sticker is still on it and readable! Let me know.

Dan