I have a 14-bolt right now that I don't plan on getting rid of any time soon, but I know that the bigger version of the Ford Sterling rear axle has 35-splines and 1.5" shafts. As everyone knows, the 14-bolt has 31 splines and 1.5" shafts. My 14-bolt shafts neck down right before the splines though. I know that some people think that this is a good thing, and I'm not saying that it isn't. But just for future reference, does anyone know if the Sterling shafts neck down at any point, too? Also, do all 14-bolt shafts neck down like mine? I'm sure it's possible to get aftermarket ones that don't neck down if I want them, but I can get rear axles so cheap around here that it'd be about 1/6th the cost just to find a Sterling axle with 4.10 gears and swap it if the shafts didn't neck down.

J. J.

Both 10.25" sterlings I have neck down right after the splines.

i think you meant that the 14 bolt has a 30 spline axleshaft.Most full floater axles taper down slightly after the splines. What is more of an issue is that the older 14 bolt full floater axles have a "neck down" area out at the flange and break there where as newer shafts are thicker at the flange.either way I wouldn't worry to much until you break a 14 bolt axleshaft.even then you can find them everywhere cheap unless you have one from a van..Hope this helps.:D

I meant 30, you're right. Another thing is, why do people list the shafts as 1.5" when what really matters is the smallest part on them? IMO, my 14-bolt shafts should be listed as 1.4" since that's what they neck down to.

J. J.

On my SuperDuty 10.5" the shafts are 1.5" with 35 splines, and the shafts don't neck down at all.

JP

Originally posted by strong_like_tractor
On my SuperDuty 10.5" the shafts are 1.5" with 35 splines, and the shafts don't neck down at all.

JP

What year? New superduty?

J. J.