Anyone found the limits of F series axle (now with twisted axles photos)

[TheStitt]

Well guys I just pulled the Diff out of the wagon as the front seal is rather sad.

When I pulled the left axle out, I noticed the splines have a very slight twist in them.

So what I want to know is if people have had slightly twisted splines put them back in the car and used for a while, or should I be trying to find a new axle

Thanks

Stitt

[LeeRoy]

If theyre twisting then i guess it depends how bad they are. Twisting generally means that theyre on the road to an eventual failure whether it be tomorrow or next decade.

Dont forget that theyre an old diff so slight twist over 20+ years might not be something to worry about however if you only put them in fairly recently and theyre twisting already then it might be time to find some new ones to swap in or so you have some for when these ones fail.

What kinda power/torque is the car making?

[Lambolica]

You technique of breaking in a new headgasket may be contributing to this...

How much twist are we talking?

Just don't put it in on the other side. it will go quick smart

Cheers
Simon

[cri_ag]

meh, i had a s-series axle that had a twist in it for at least 12months with 190kw and not so soft driving. come to think of it, i think the opposite axle broke before the twisted one (launching at the drags).

[Hen]

I remember a prac at uni where we twisted a steel bar until it failed. 2" dia bar about 1metre long got up to 4-5 rotations before failing. I know it depends on the hardness and treatment etc... but steel is amazingly tough.

I'd throw it back in, but keep my eye out for a new pair of axles for peace of mind.

[TheStitt]

i've seen worse,
there is a very slight bend say 2mm accross the splines.

Axle is straight other than that

i've also chipped a tooth of the crown wheel.


its time to start using the ratios I've been hording


Leroy its the wagon 7MGTE with about 200rwkw and a driver that loves burnouts

[cri_ag]

how much does it weigh just out of interest?

[Esteban]

What weight are you after, wet weight of the whole diff with housing, without brakes? I could probably organise that if it's important, just have to pick up my centre...

[Kedderz]

I think hes after the weight of the crown to figure out some wacky weight/diff/burnout ratio to tell stitt if hes shagged the diff due to the style of driving and weight of the car ;-)

[cri_ag]

i did mean the weight of the car, but i have no crazy diff destroying formula. just curious to see how much weight / power these took to bend, i have an f-series in my sprinter so its nice to know where the limits MAY be.

[MRMOPARMAN]

id give it another go too. if it breaks its no big deal. you wont get 4 or 5 rotations out of it like a steel bar though. axles are heat treated outside and softer metal inside. read slightly brittle. ill guestimate it wont make 45 degree's before expiring

[CLG]

I recall playing with Ford 9" diffs and talking to a diff mechanic about splines and axle twist. He commented it was not unusual to see axles with a full rotation of twist over time, and he still used them. I'm not suggesting it's a good thing but that was his comment, so possible food for thought

[TheStitt]

wagon is 1450 wet weight

with seven ppl in int your guess is as good as mine.

I'll get a photo of the twist over the weekend

[TheStitt]

Well I promised photos



i'm sure i've already had one snap at the same place

[The Real Roadrunner]

nice,

i tried to get mine to do that but it just toasted the tires instead