Why do D-35's break so easily?
02-08-2011, 11:06 PM
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Year: 1989
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Why do D-35's break so easily?
I searched and searched, I have a d-35 locked on 33's and have a 8.8 sitting here ready to begin a swap, But I have to ask...... because I can't really find a reasonable answer. What about the 35 makes it so bad? I know its a 27 spline but so is the 30 and the 30 is supposed to be better, why? Mine is a Non C-clip axle, I know the clips break and out comes the shaft, but thats not a problem with my axle. I know the 8.8 vs the 35 spline count and understand that but why is the 35 so much worse the the 30?
02-08-2011, 11:09 PM
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Year: 1996
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the non c clip axle is a little stronger. But....
small ring gear/pinion gear
fewer splines
smaller/thinner axle tubes(flexes the housing causing things to leak and break).
smaller bearings
it is just a good "stock" axle....
small ring gear/pinion gear
fewer splines
smaller/thinner axle tubes(flexes the housing causing things to leak and break).
smaller bearings
it is just a good "stock" axle....
02-08-2011, 11:20 PM
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Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
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the main reason they break is because of abuse im running 38s on a 35 with 410 over a year now still going strong
02-09-2011, 10:13 AM
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Why does anything break?.....because the design limits have been exceeded. Think the general public would have bought 2.9 million XJs if they were built/priced like a $100,000 H1? Not. At $20K, XJs aren't going to have military strength diffs/axles.
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02-09-2011, 11:31 AM
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The Dana 35 will do OK if not wheeled hard. I know some on here still run them with lifts and large tires, good luck. Most of the Dana 35s I have seen break have been locked and on steep climbs so most of the stress is on the rear axle. I think an axle truss would be the one thing that would help the D35 the most to last longer, because the flex, that causes gear deflection is what does in most axles and ring & pinion gears. Anyway that has been my experience.
02-09-2011, 11:55 AM
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Its my understanding that if youre running 31's or smaller with the d35 and you dont beat on it like a jerk it should be fine. Thats just what people have told me.
02-09-2011, 12:01 PM
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I've seen more than a couple of D35s break, one had 33s the others were 31s or smaller, they were all climbing in rocks except one that was spinning on ice and hit pavement.
02-09-2011, 02:09 PM
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THAT is a fun thing to watch... watched a semi snap it's 20,000 spicer tandem axle's like twigs on ice... EVERYTHING will break once it reaches it's limit.
I run a locked 35 with 31's and I am not too gentle with it and it's held up just fine... in fact my weakest point is my actual locker as it's been damaged too many times by the PO and I was never told. They are weak - er then most axle's and will break if abused but they can withstand more then what some people give them credit for... it's like saying all toyota's are death traps because yours lost a wheel.
The info given by 96 xj is right on... they have lower spline counts, weaker tubes, smaller rings and gears, and bearings... but if you wheel smart and take care of your axle you can run it for a while. Just like anything.
I run a locked 35 with 31's and I am not too gentle with it and it's held up just fine... in fact my weakest point is my actual locker as it's been damaged too many times by the PO and I was never told. They are weak - er then most axle's and will break if abused but they can withstand more then what some people give them credit for... it's like saying all toyota's are death traps because yours lost a wheel.
The info given by 96 xj is right on... they have lower spline counts, weaker tubes, smaller rings and gears, and bearings... but if you wheel smart and take care of your axle you can run it for a while. Just like anything.
02-09-2011, 03:25 PM
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my reasoning is... I have a 8.8 sitting here. its a drum version so not ideal, should I invest in gearing it and all the fab work to install it, or just regear my 35 and truss it?
02-09-2011, 03:31 PM
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Hell, I'm runnin 31x10.50x16's on my D35 TrakLok LSD, and have been for the 2 years O've owned my Jeep. Beat the **** out of it, and it still wants more. Can't wait to see how it stands up against my 5.0 stroker w/ supercharger!!
02-09-2011, 04:07 PM
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