Axle Spline

[305Taco]

I hope I listed this in the correct area.

Does anyone know what stock axles are generally made out of? I know it's steel but specifically what alloy? Also in comparison what is the "best material to use". How about what Moser or Strange utilize? Anyone know?

I also having a hard time understanding why a higher spline axle is considered better. Is the axle shaft the same diameter? Is the perceived greater strength from the idea that a higher amount of splines means more contact area, which results in a higher torque capacity? Along the lines of a 6 point head vs a 12 point head on a bolt?

I greatly appreciate any insight as I'm very new to axle terminology, tooling, and practices. In case anyone cares, I'm inquiring because I have a Tacoma with 27 spline axles which have snapped on me, well the driver side has. I had installed an automatic locker, took it to the track, aired down to 17psi and snapped right off the line. This was of course not the first time at the track, but the first time with the locker in. For what it's worth, the axle didn't snap at the splines......

 

[LOT]

my limited knowledge

I believe (TR) the larger # spline axles are larger in dia. as you have to change carrier bearings and races to accomadate the say 30 spline as compared to 28 spline axles. We can also go to 33 sp;ine which requires an even different and larger carrier bearing. So, yes the larger # will be a larger dia. Material, I can't help you there. I do know that Moser 28 spline ( stock replacement) will twist (in the slines) as compared to stock axles will break. Fun getting twisted spline c-clips out.

 

[305Taco]

Thanks for the insight.

 

[pacecarta]

spline size and pitch stays the same so thicker diameter shafts needs more splines to wrap around the larger diameter axle at the spline area

and to upgrade to larger splines the carrier (center section sometimes reffered to as the posi unit or the spool ) needs to be replaced which also involves larger bore carrier side bearings than what came on ours with 28 spline carriers , the spools and eatons use a larger side bearing that will accommodate up to 33s (c-clip eliminators have to be upsized for 33 spline axles )

did all that galling near the break happen by driving or towing after after the break ( spool with cclip elims???)

 

[305Taco]

In case any cares to know, Moser makes their axles out of 1541h. I've done some searching online and it appears this isn't very comparable to 4340.

As for the galling on the axle, you are correct, it was caused by driving after the axle snapped. I have an Aussie Locker. I snapped the shaft at Moroso in west palm and had to drive all the way back to Miami which is quite a trip. Thankfully I could drive home at all and wasn't on an open diff.

 

[bison]

I hope I listed this in the correct area.

Does anyone know what stock axles are generally made out of? I know it's steel but specifically what alloy? Also in comparison what is the "best material to use". How about what Moser or Strange utilize? Anyone know?

I also having a hard time understanding why a higher spline axle is considered better. Is the axle shaft the same diameter? Is the perceived greater strength from the idea that a higher amount of splines means more contact area, which results in a higher torque capacity? Along the lines of a 6 point head vs a 12 point head on a bolt?

I greatly appreciate any insight as I'm very new to axle terminology, tooling, and practices. In case anyone cares, I'm inquiring because I have a Tacoma with 27 spline axles which have snapped on me, well the driver side has. I had installed an automatic locker, took it to the track, aired down to 17psi and snapped right off the line. This was of course not the first time at the track, but the first time with the locker in. For what it's worth, the axle didn't snap at the splines......

Did it wheel hop at any time?

 

[305Taco]

Did it wheel hop at any time?

Never.