Axle Twist - Opinions on these please.

[Wookie316]

My axles looked exactly like that. I broke one and thought it was a fluke. That was a good Strange one. I ordered a set from Cass and he warned me that with my H/P and weight it would twist or break again and that I should put my $ into a Dana. Said I was just throwing $ away. Short story I didn't listen. I bought another set and then a year later bought the Dana. So he was right I basically burned up the $ on another set of axles. No more issues with the Dana though.

 

[Cranky]

What was the spline count on a stock Dana 60 that was produced for cars? Someone has to produce a stock type replacement axle that's just as strong as the original Dana 60 axles were and in any length you want......

 

[Wookie316]

23 big splines 69 and back. 35 splines 70 forward. Truck Dana had 31 just like the 8 3/4".
There is a formula for figuring out what strength of axle you need depending on your weight & H/P. I remember figuring mine out. I'd have needed to go to a 33 aftermarket spline in a 8 3/4" with my H/P & weight. The cost was close to a Dana and the Dana was quite a bit stronger. So I went that route.
The joy of running a 4000 + pound B Body with over 650 H/P.

 

[Cranky]

23 big splines 69 and back. 35 splines 70 forward. Truck Dana had 31 just like the 8 3/4".
There is a formula for figuring out what strength of axle you need depending on your weight & H/P. I remember figuring mine out. I'd have needed to go to a 33 aftermarket spline in a 8 3/4" with my H/P & weight. The cost was close to a Dana and the Dana was quite a bit stronger. So I went that route.
The joy of running a 4000 + pound B Body with over 650 H/P.

Actually, the 8 3/4 is 30 splines. Even pre 69 was 30 but I'm not very familiar with pre 69 Dana 60's made for cars but wouldn't think they would make them 23 spline unlike the 8 3/4. I have a set of 3/4 ton truck axles that are 30 spline from a 60 and they are the exact same size as the 8 3/4 axles however, my 97 3/4 ton has 29 spline. Go figure.

 

[Wookie316]

Yes 30 not 31. I don't know why I always have 31 on the brain?

From how I understand the car Dana the 66-69 had a BIG 23 spline axle. The 70-72 had the common 35 spline axle. Dana truck is 30 like the 8 3/4".

Moser makes a center section for an 8 3/4 with a 33 spline but by the time you get it and the custom axles you are very close to the price of a complete S60.

 

[383man]

Axle twist can depend on how hard it leaves. My 11.0 car ran factory axles for years, never twisted. I raced my wife's 12.50 4 speed car only a year, twisted the shafts just like the ones pictured. If I was to upgrade to a spool I'd run 35 spline. Or better yet a Dana.
Doug

That is right. I raced a 66 Dart with a 340 and a 4-speed car years back. It was a low 12 second car with an 11.94 best et. It twisted stock axles a few times until I put a spool and strange axles in it. My 63 is an auto and has run 10.70's and is much heavier then my 66 Dart was and my axles still have not twisted any. My best 60 is a 1.50 in my 63 so it hooks and leaves a little hard for what it is but it dont shock the driveline like a stick car does. When I launch a stick car I bring the rpm's up to about 5000 as the lites come down and then floor it as I let the clutch out. This is how I did it before they had any sputter boxes as I believe if I came to race run it hard and thats why I like to launch my stick cars very hard. And that one reason I am glad I kept the auto in my 63. Ron

 

[Cranky]

Yes 30 not 31. I don't know why I always have 31 on the brain?

From how I understand the car Dana the 66-69 had a BIG 23 spline axle. The 70-72 had the common 35 spline axle. Dana truck is 30 like the 8 3/4".

Moser makes a center section for an 8 3/4 with a 33 spline but by the time you get it and the custom axles you are very close to the price of a complete S60.

You're right about the 23 spline axles. I rebuilt a 69 Dana for a buddy of mine and didn't even pay attention to the spline count lol

 

[ironside]

Don't be surprised if your told not to worry until they twist 2-1/2 splines. My 35 splines in a hard leaving heavy 4 speed car twisted about one spline and haven't changed in 6 years. Pretty common to be told from moser, strange etc.

You probably won't be lucky enough to get them in if you shorten them though.
When you re-assemble just keep them on the same side, don't swap em.(if they're same length)

 

[LemonWedge]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. I'm going to go with a spool and 35 spline axles from Cass. We can put a bow on this.

 

[LemonWedge]

Parts arrived today.... Just what the Dr. ordered! I hate to spend money fixing something I had already addressed, but car parts are always an exciting delivery.

35 spline axles are way beefier than the 30's. Hopefully I won't mind the spool in street duty (I sorta like race-car stuff on the street, so I think I'll be fine). And as long as its apart, I couldn't resist making the move from the current 3.91's to 4.10's

This thing is slowly make a transition from "street / strip", to "strip / street"... Somebody stop me.
:toothy10:

 

[Mocajava]

LemonWedge....I have the housing but would be interested in the Locker.What are you asking?

 

[LemonWedge]

The locker was already moved along to another FBBO member. Thanks though.

 

[66Satellite47]

One more point, with the spool you have taken one more issue out of the inconsistency equation. My drag cars with spools never had a problem with making turns on the return road or in the pits. My Strange & Mark Williams axles never changed. Good axles are nice to have.