Which axle is most likely to break a shaft?

freedom_in_4low

freedom_in_4low

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My LJ currently has stock shafts in the open front HP 30 and the E-lockered rear 44. I know with 35" tires I need to upgrade them both ASAP but if the free time and the financial priorities dictated that I could only do one or the other until after Christmas and I don't want to just not go wheeling until then, which should be the first upgrade?

I lean toward the rear because it's locked and sees a lot more load than the front. But I also see a case for the front simply because it has u-joints in it and the shafts are a bit smaller. What say you?
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Does your front axle have a locker? If so upgrade it first with 4340 inner/outer shafts. If only the rear axle has a locker I'd upgrade that one first.

Edit: I see now your front axle is open, I'd upgrade the rear shafts.
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Apparition said:
Agree, rear takes more abuse
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good call. that's what I was thinking.

Just went and pulled the trigger on the ones from Revolution. If nothing else, they supposedly come pre-assembled so I won't have to buy a shop press or go through the runaround of getting a shop to put them on with the retainer plates facing the right direction.
 
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freedom_in_4low said:
My LJ currently has stock shafts in the open front HP 30 and the E-lockered rear 44. I know with 35" tires I need to upgrade them both ASAP but if the free time and the financial priorities dictated that I could only do one or the other until after Christmas and I don't want to just not go wheeling until then, which should be the first upgrade?

I lean toward the rear because it's locked and sees a lot more load than the front. But I also see a case for the front simply because it has u-joints in it and the shafts are a bit smaller. What say you?
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I would expect the Dana 30 shafts to give before the Dana 44, so I'd go front first.
If you had a Dana 35 it'd be no question to do that first.
 
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I’d go front, especially since it’s unlocked. Too many people let them free spin until they catch and then you’re toast. Similarly to @jjvw - I’ve seen more fronts break than rears, primarily because of the u-joint being undersized (we’ll probably the ears, but none the less).
 
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rasband said:
I’d go front, especially since it’s unlocked. Too many people let them free spin until they catch and then you’re toast. Similarly to @jjvw - I’ve seen more fronts break than rears, primarily because of the u-joint being undersized.
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I'd upgrade the fronts when a traction device is added
 
rasband said:
I certainly am biased through my experience, but the fronts are just under gunned. Given the budget for only one, I’m sticking to fronts first regardless of being locked.
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I just don't like doing things twice.

Fronts get done when one breaks.
 
Apparition said:
I just don't like doing things twice.

Fronts get done when one breaks.
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Having seen two broken fronts take out the ball joints and having it almost to me, I'll still suggest the fronts first. Getting out and home in 3 wheel is much more difficult when the knuckle falls off leaving you with literally three attached wheels.
 
dammit you guys. :ROFLMAO: I went with the first two responses and then a bunch of opposing ballots showed up all at once. :unsure:

I could go ahead and order the fronts but it's looking like they're at least 30 days out, so the decision is made for me regardless. I either wheel (conservatively) with stock front shafts or don't wheel at all until mid December at best.
 
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Apparition said:
Guess it depends on what spline count the traction device would be.
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I suppose that’s a good consideration. I’d bet there’s a good market for Dana 30 shafts though. That’s easy work if you need do it twice, there’s many other things I wouldn’t want to (TT being the big one).
 
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jjvw said:
Having seen two broken fronts take out the ball joints and having it almost to me, I'll still suggest the fronts first. Getting out and home in 3 wheel is much more difficult when the knuckle falls off leaving you with literally three attached wheels.
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what happens when you break a rear?
 
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