jon_89

So now that I have broke both axle shafts in the front Im thinking going to 30 spline chromoly shafts. I have the one piece dana 30 with 4.56 gears and an arb. Each time I have broke the u joint which immediatly broke the ears off. My concern is with going chromoly that the weak link will be the ring and pinion. Anybody have any experience?

94nIT

I have Superior shafts and 4.88s and haven't had any problems other then hub bearings, but the r&p do look like the weak link. Not sure about others but Superiors are life time replacements if broken!

suzuki squid

http://www.4xshaft.com/

In the middle of that main page are their Gold Seal U joints. Click that. If your having trouble try those maybe instead of jumping straight to chromoly.

MuscleHead

In my opinion pickup 27sp chromo shafts so u can carry stockers as spares. You happen to break the 30sp shafts your screwed for the remainder of the trip unless your pockets are deep to carry 30sp spares then go for it.

Rock Toy

The problem I see for you going to 30 spline shafts is that you already have a 27 spline ARB that would have to be replaced to run the larger shafts.
If I were you, I would just buy a set of 27 spline 4340 shafts, and use your stock shafts as spares.

PingPong

Speaking from experienc if you go to 30 spline alloys with a quality aftermarket u-joint you will have no issues. BUT if you stay with 27 spline stuff the upgraded 760 u-joints are stronger then the alloy axles.

XJD

I did the same.......I went with a ABS V8 Grand shaft and it has the bigger joint and you just need to tap off the ABS gear on the end to fit.......I used the ABS ones because the ears where the ABS ring are has more metal there......if it would make a difference or not who knows but I just went with the bigger ones

liqour crazy

im in a simular boat. keep breaking shafts but dont want to break the bank. i have a 44 rear with ox locker which works great. and 30 front currently. but in the garage i have a 44 waggy and 44 ford high pinion.
i have been calling around and get mixed answers from places, 30 spline yes no 27 spline . just bite the bullet and put 44 in it. but i like the abilitly to find parts easily and d30s are everywhere if i go 30 spline i would have no spare axles unles i carry a 800 dollar set of spares around. my time is worth something so fabbing up a 44 at this point wouldnt be cost effective and then i would also have to change rear bolt pattern,or cary two spare wheels. i have 456 gears 35 and ax15. i think i wheel it smart but sometimes things get bound up or hop when trying to get on over rocks ect and snap ujoint then axle . my worst experience was at wellsville and broke both ujoints in front, two tie rod ends,(they were currie) and a balljoint talk about a pain getting off the powerline path. anyways i have been looking into these alloy usa shafts for right around 500 bucks inner and outer with joints. but if i am putting band aid on gunshot wound doesnt make sence. advice . opinion please. are you guys breaking aftermarket shafts ?

jon_89

I was told you can change the side gears.

Im thinking 27 spline with a stock spare set just incase.

ikenchute

I was under the impression that full circle clips were the answer to the failing u-joint broken axle ears problem. Well in most cases.

I have broken 1 rt side stock axle/u-joint and after studying my broken parts I’m sure that’s what was the cause.
"C" clip came off as stock shaft ears spread causing cap to come out and u-joint to rip ears off shaft. Seeing as I found everything but 1 "C" clip and 1 cap.

I don’t know for sure, but that’s what I’ve read happens and seems to be what happened to me trying to bounce my way up and over a ledge I didn’t make it up.

I’ve got a new set of alloys 27 spline with spicers and full circle clips ready to go just haven’t put them in yet.

Any thoughts on this?

jon_89

I was talking with a friend and that what his thought was about the cap.

PingPong

Here are some pics of what 27 spline chromos broken. These are alloy usa, before they sold out. I was only running 33's.

SHort side inner



long side inner


long side stub shaft.



I am running nitro shafts with their 300M u-joints on my rig now. I carry the stock d44 stuff for spares. I dont have 800 dollars in my axle setup... alloys are cheaper then ppl think especially if you stay away from the big box offroad stores. ALso for the ultimate strength RCV shafts are the ticket.


Beforee I ever spend a penny on a d30 ever again, I wil upgrade to a d44.

XSXJ

Here's the question: what size tires are you running? A locker will definitely put more stress on the axle shafts, so that is a factor when you are wheeling - only use it when you 'have' to... In my experience (and I've run the gammut), the dana30 with chromolly 27 spline will hold up to about a 35-36" tire depending on how heavy your right foot is. the 30 spline is not going to give you enough of a comfort zone from a 27 spline to warrant the change of pretty much everything up front, carrier etc.. Sure, they are a little stronger, but not enough.
If you are considering that much of a change, I would HIGHLY recommend going with a dana 44 or again - depending on what size tire you run - a dana 60 for anything bigger than 37's. take a look at mine... dana60 full chromo 35 spline outers & blanks full locked. That's to run 40 - 42" tires and that's from breaking everything in between... just my .02