Jerry Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I've read about people breaking axles regularly but I've no idea what part in the axle system fails. Is it the crown wheel and gear? The shafts? The bearings? The housings? What are the main weak points? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Different axles have different weak points. The Explorer 8.8 has a poor connection between the tubes and the diff and a (relatively) weak carrier. The CJ amc-20 has 2-piece axle shafts that can spin free. The Dana 35, well, the dana 35 has so many weak points that there's no telling where it might fail. The gears can start spitting teeth, the shafts can snap, the center pin can break, the carrier can crumble, the pinion shaft can snap, the U-joint straps can fail, or the axle as a whole can bend into a smiley face. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLHTAZ Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 The most common break on the D35 is the axle shaft itself. It usually breaks toward the inner end just outside of the carrier. Probably the second most common failure is the axle tube...comes out of the differential housing or bends. If the D35 is re-geared to a fairly low ratio like a 4.56 or 4.88, it is real common for the ring & pinion to fail because the pinion head is very small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 OK, I'm now a bit wiser :thumbsup: So what type of conditions do they fail under? Normal use or mainly when mudding where higher loads are encountered and bigger diameter wheels are often used? edit: whaddya reckon to my new avatar :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilotblake Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 edit: whaddya reckon to my new avatar :D I don't know what axels will stand up long to that kind of abuse. Makes my neck/spine sore watching it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLHTAZ Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I have seen D35 shafts break on the highway with 30" tires because someone tried to take off to fast... :shake: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 That sounds strangely familiar. :D I blew up the ring/pinion under similar circumstances. :shake: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comanche87 Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 dam i better not go tooo nuts with my truck. i got the dana 35 yikes! i aint got money 4 a stronger rear axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 dam i better not go tooo nuts with my truck. i got the dana 35 yikes! i aint got money 4 a stronger rear axle. don't worry about it. i've seen them with 35s and not break. just be easy with the go pedal and you shouldnt have to worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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