I have the chance to get spare rear axleshafts for my cruiser and am wondering if anyone has ever broken one. they seem pretty stout to me. Thanks <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0">

they are very stout no need to carry it on the trail but it is nice to have in the spares bin

Uh, I hate to disagree with a guy like FJJUNKIE, but..
<IMG width=384 height=256 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/55555598.jpg">
With a Lock right inthe back it took about 2 hours to change, plus it was HELL getting the piece out.
<IMG width=384 height=256 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/65489.jpg">
I thought I was the only moron that would break one of these, but FJ40TOM in my club just broke one last weekend.

Remember, these things are stout as hell, but they are mostly over 20 years old! That is a lot or use and abuse!

Finally, they are C-Clip axles and when they break, the tire comes off! No if ands or butts.....

Take a spare and a metal rod that will reach all the way from the long side to the pig so you can knock the broken peice out of the locker.

Also, it REALLY helps to have a welder rear when performing this task.

I broke a long-side rear about 4 years ago. Mine was attributed to a loose side carrier bearing, but it was still a PITA. I do carry spare long and short side shafts and keep the set on the trailer, just in case. I also carry a spare center section, spare transfer case, etc on the trailer....no wonder my towing mileage sucks! lol

Running rear disc brakes will help keep the axle in when it break, however probably only far enough to get to a flat spot to tear things down.

I have twisted the entire length of one. It did not break, i actually drove on it for a month without knowing but when i took it out and stood back from it you could see a bow through the entire thing. the splines were also twisted.
i have always caried spares though. Oh and it was too the long side.

What make them break? Is there anything in particular that causes failure or is it pretty random? Thanks

Just wheeling hard makes'em break

Mine was leaning hard to the side that broke and the front end came up. All weight was on the r rear axle shaft and it snapped.

I busted a short side on a tough hill climb. Go get spares, you don't want to ruin a weekend of wheeling just beacuse you didn't have $50-60 worth of parts in your box. Just my opinion. Go prepared......if you don't need it, someone else will.

Tom <IMG SRC="smilies/smokin.gif" border="0">

I wish. all I break is stuff I dont have spares of. T-case (I have a spare now) AA input shaft from 203-lc case(still waiting for my new one) thats all the drivetrain breakage I've had so far. wish my weak birfs or rear pinion would break instead.

I like to carry spares of everything I can. I just got a set and probably paid too much for them. I got both sides for $60. Here is a pic of the long side that I broke.


<IMG width=640 height=480 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/brokenaxleshow1.jpg">

I broke a rear short side and after I got home found that even having a spare would not have helped much. Tugging a dead cruzer through a rock/mud run. Latter broke towing the same truck up a rock hill ;-(
Broke the stub inside the carrier. The force spread the third member and broke the side bearing AND screwed the carrier.
(No, the pedal was not to the floor)
Turned a dead tree into a traverse by chaining it to the frame at the front running board mount and running it under the rear axel housing. Drove the rig 3 miles out of the woods in 2nd gear.

4 engineers and 2 Tech. Ed. teachers in the group...

Cory

I have seen 2 broken rear axle shafts break on my fellow club member's rigs. One was running 35" tires & the other had 38.5's. Both broke after breaking the front birfields while trying to get up steep hills. Both broke near the splines. Having rear disc brakes will keep the axle & tire from coming out of the housing while driving.
Here is a tip: We now carry a telescoping magnet. It is long enough to reach into the 3rd member to get the broken pieces out.
We all carry both rear axle shafts for spares.

I broke a front outer stub......twisted it right in half......between the Birf and the splines......
So dont forget the front axles.....

Seeing as almost everyone I know has broken a birfield, I am assuming you are asking about the rear axles. I broke the rear passenger side (short side) rear axle a couple years ago on Walker Hill. I was running 35's and locked and broke the axle about mid-way up the climb. Got video from a friend so I can hear the *BANG* and then watch the tire pull away from my Cruiser and then the roll over as often as I want <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

After that trip, I purchased the Warn FF kit for my rear - no more "roaming wheel" if I ever break another axle <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

if u dont carry spares you dont brake. he he jiMMy

I never carried one, because my uncle, who built my Cruiser, "You will NEVER break a rear axel." Well, after spending six hours on Ford Ice trail hoping someone would come by with a spare, I will never leave home
without spare axelshafts. I broke the short side, and luckily found someone nice enough to give me thier spare. I ended up welding my lockright because I was with a bunch of Jeep guys and no one knew how to put it back together. So I would also advise practicing how to do this home, it could save you a lot of grief. Thanks a lot 55 Guy!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/mad.gif" border="0">

Alright already, I got the short side spare, someone already grabbed the long side. I have spare birfs but I am now wondering if anyone has ever broken a front shaft?

Originally posted by rustbucket:
<STRONG>Alright already, I got the short side spare, someone already grabbed the long side. I have spare birfs but I am now wondering if anyone has ever broken a front shaft?</STRONG>

If your talkn about the 10 spline, I have broken my fair share. Those things were like twigs! <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by rustbucket:
<STRONG>Alright already, I got the short side spare, someone already grabbed the long side. I have spare birfs but I am now wondering if anyone has ever broken a front shaft?</STRONG>

Sure, I have seenthe front shafts break before the Birfield, but it is uncommon. What happens most is when you munch the inside of a Birfield, you will strip the splines on the inner axle.

Bad. Need spares. <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0">

I see most of you say the wheel comes off when the axle breaks, but my 75 FJ40 rear hub is held on purely by the brg's. I can remove the axle seperatley and leave the hub on. Is this the norm or is it different in the states?

Originally posted by Bludog:
<STRONG>I see most of you say the wheel comes off when the axle breaks, but my 75 FJ40 rear hub is held on purely by the brg's. I can remove the axle seperatley and leave the hub on. Is this the norm or is it different in the states?</STRONG>

Yeah, that is because you guys get full float axles and diesels in Oz.

We get fuel injection, carpet, 3.73 gears and leather <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

Oz cruisers rock!