How many Rover Axels have you broken? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

RockRover · 01-11-2002, 08:24 AM

I had about a 4 year run with stock axles. Never popped a single one. I attributed it to a light foot and smooth driving. Then it started happening. I was popping axles all over the place. I think the SSR's had something to do with that too, but primarily I attribute it to increased driving skills that brought me to places I initially would never have gone...And lines that I, in the beginning, would have labeled ludicrous.

The first was on Launching Pad in Moab...Right rear...Typical. The second was a testing section behind my house...Again right rear.

I wrote off the breakage as a fluke, then I lost three on one 1/16th mile run (Patriot, on the Independence trail system). Two right rears and a CV. I bought the GBR HD rear axles.

Then, again while on the "behind my house" testing section, I lost two front CV's.

Then I twisted a GBR the last day in Cruses (Roticillo Rapids)...Didn't loose a CV though...But two months later at the Twist-Off I lost a fatigued (from Cruses) CV. Then two day's later in Moab, I lost a front R&P. At that point I said enough's enough, and committed to running 60's.

All the above breakage happend in a 2 year period (two seasons) with 4:7 gears and 35's (Dunlop Rover MT's 33.5", and SSR's.)

RVR OVR · 01-11-2002, 09:24 AM

Never snapped one myself, but lent out my spare to somebody who did. He had a rear detroit, and only 235/85's w/Goodyear MTR's. However, the miles on the original stock axle were quite high, but only about 1 years worth on the Detroit.

Tom

GRNRVR · 01-11-2002, 09:27 AM

I haven't broken one yet.. knocking on wood.. But, I would attribute that mostly to that fact that I am still learning what my Discovery can do and what I can do for that matter. I'm not heavy footed on the gas but, I'm also running little 225/75 tires on all stock drive train.. Little tires look pretty funny with the 4 inches of lift. Getting new tires soon so I'm sure that breakage isn't far from my future.

roverhybrids · 01-11-2002, 10:35 AM

2 trips on the Rubicon and 1 on Fordyce. plus some local stuff(not too much rock) all with stock drive train and 35" SSR's.
Blew rear spiders gears crawling up a small hill.(they must have been fatigued.)
Replaced with f&r ARB's, GBR 4.75 gears and the rear 30 spline summers bros axles.
Broke front short side axle in Moab at the rock pile. It was just getting dark and in the rain. I tried a different line on the right side. Got the front tires on top but couldn't get it to go the rest of the way(too slick) Hooked a strap on the front from someone already up top and when he pulled I gased hard and it loaded my front end(real steep hill) and didn't give me any forward movement. So basically as soon as the clutch came out the short side front axle went "snap" and I went "*&%$** that was stupid"

Jtisdale · 01-11-2002, 11:19 AM

I run GBR HD rears 4:10s and stock front CVs. Havent broken one yet. Probably two reasons, MT/Rs only measure 34.4 and I only turn on my front ARB for the short section I need it to get through. I'm sure as my CVs get more fatigued one will go...hopefully they will survive Cruces next month! Oh yeah...I'm not a throttle jockey either!

JT

RockRover · 01-11-2002, 11:45 AM

Hey John...Is your measurement of the MT actual, or is that the spec on the tire? I've heard they are shorter than that...Especially on a 10" rim.

--D

Jtisdale · 01-11-2002, 03:48 PM

D

Those are GY specs, I'll check actual sometime this weekend. Are you interested in aired up or down?

JT

madcowdungbeetle · 01-11-2002, 09:12 PM

Haven't broken anything yet....how, I'm not quite sure, I must not be wheelin' it hard enough

I'm sure there will be plenty carnage in my future though

Anyone know where I can find some info on the Macnamara Birfield adapters, I've only heard of them, but don't know much else about them.

-Jon

Strange Rover · 01-12-2002, 04:07 AM

With 31in tyres and the stock axles I would have broken at least 12 axles over a 6 month period. Most of them rears but also included a couple of fronts. It used to only take me about 7 minutes to change a rear axle on the trail but the fronts were a major PITA.

Oh yea these were the good old 10 spline axles with a very, very light foot. I wouldnt drive anywhere with wheel spin (unless I really had to

) and all the new axles were just crap ones (all 10 spline axles are crap) from the wreckers.

I now run stock scout II Dana 44s front and rear with 4.09s (should have gone lower) and 36 inch tyres. I have been belting the piss outa these axles and have broken one rear in the last 4 months since I did the swap. But I really did deserve it.

Sam

Jtisdale · 01-12-2002, 06:12 AM

Hey madcowdungbeetle, where do you wheel. I grew up in Charlotte and used to go to tellico all the time!

JT

madcowdungbeetle · 01-12-2002, 08:23 AM

I wheel at Uwharrie for the most part. I haven't been to Tellico yet, mainly because I want to beef up my drivetrain and armor up the Disco a 'lil more before I go. At some point I'd like to do Moab and some of the trails out west.

-Jon

road1will · 01-12-2002, 08:29 AM

none yet, KOW...

as we all pray to the god of detroit lockers and 10 spline land rover axles... may you coexist in harmony and peace, for when you are in disagreement, hell is unleashed within the world that is the rear axle. if you must fight, axles, may you break cleanly and on level ground!

RockRover · 01-13-2002, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jtisdale
D

Those are GY specs, I'll check actual sometime this weekend. Are you interested in aired up or down?

JT

Up...25psi. Are you running 10's or 8's? Either way. They just seemed so short to me when I saw them on Ed Magoffin's rig...Never took a tape and level to them...They surrrre did good in Cruses a couple of years ago.

--D

RockRover · 01-13-2002, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by winterhk

BTW Doug, did you get my mail about McNamara?

Brian

No...But I left work on Friday...My home e-mail is dmarbourg@zianet.com I should warn you however, that I don't check it as often as I should. Work's a much better bet.

-D

Jtisdale · 01-14-2002, 11:18 AM

D

Running 15x8 and you are right. At ~ 30Lbs my MT/Rs stand just a hair under 34"s tall. The are new so tread depth is at a maximum. I usually run with guys with SSRs(35s) and that is a big tire in comparison, definately a true 35.

JT

Rover Addiction · 01-14-2002, 01:35 PM

I haven't broken a rear yet because I put in my ARBs and GBR 24 spline axles before I got big tires, but I've trashed about 4 sets of front stuff. Broken both stockers and GBR HD axles and CVs.

Like the rest of you, I'm still looking for that elusive strong front end. I've found that being careful, I can make the GBR front stuff last a while, but it still breaks at bad times. I'm waiting for Bill to make his new super dooper set available. I almost bought the rover 1-ton set from ECR, but that required changing my spindles, bearings, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I guess I still may end up doing that since Bill is taking so long. I'd really prefer to stay with the rover axles since the rear is already strong and they have pretty good clearance. I also like my 2 rovers to use the same parts so I don't have to stock different parts.

-John

Jtisdale · 01-14-2002, 02:20 PM

I'm eager to see how strong they turn out to be. I like Bill and he knows his stuff, but if I drop close to $1900 on a set of front CVs, either they better come with a lifetime warranty or be indestructable.

IIRC he is just heat treating them and removing any potential imperfections on the star, so they will eventually be prone to stress cracks?

JT

brianbonner90 · 01-20-2002, 11:35 AM

Zero. And I wheel with atleast 1,000lbs in the D90.

i attribute this to a light foot, and 33" tires.

to the first poster, I got confused by your message. you went from 33" MT's to 36" SSR"S? Well that would explain it. but even if you went from 35" BFG to a 36" ssr, the SSR's are a MUCH heavier tire, which may contribute to it.

Another theory? the axles are not being made as well as they used to?

back to my

BTW been on and off the BBs for a while, I am glad there is finally a LR section

offroadr35 · 01-22-2002, 02:15 PM

2 axles and 2 CVs. I have the GBR HD ones in now and haven't had a problem. I'll never buy a Rover drivetrain part again though. At some time you get to the point where you look at the durability of the stuff and then the price and hassle of replacing it and wonder WTF am I dealing with this??

-Steve

merv · 01-22-2002, 02:17 PM

6 or 7 rear half shafts with a 2.25 litre n/a diesel

1 cv, 3 diffs and wrung off the rear prop shaft once. All standard crap, but very cheap to replace

offroadr35 · 01-22-2002, 05:53 PM

always have to rub in how cheap rover parts are across the pond

Way · 01-22-2002, 08:49 PM

2 Stock rear 10 spline axles.
1 stock front CV. Broke the bell.
1 stock 10 spline front axle.
2 GBR "(Not So) Extreme Duty" front CVs. Cracked both bells, completely grenaded the second. The cage went with this one.

I only run 33 x 12.50s on my Range Rover as well. Light on the throttle, heavy on the big rocks.

Way

merv · 01-23-2002, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Way
2 Stock rear 10 spline axles.
1 stock front CV. Broke the bell.
1 stock 10 spline front axle.
2 GBR "(Not So) Extreme Duty" front CVs. Cracked both bells, completely grenaded the second. The cage went with this one.

I only run 33 x 12.50s on my Range Rover as well. Light on the throttle, heavy on the big rocks.

Way

Hah! I did mine in with a set of 235/85's, LOADSA WELLY!

anything can be broken when you really put your mind to it!

Strange Rover · 01-23-2002, 03:57 AM

Big rocks and locked diffs really loads up the drivetrain.

Theres a really simple obstical in my back yard. Slightly down hill, nose one front wheel up to a vertical 2foot high concrete step. With everything locked up you can just feel the load on the drivetrain as everying fights against each other as it tryes to walk one front wheel up the vertical ledge while the rest dont really go anywhere. With everything locked up the one front wheel turns to move up the vertical ledge and the rest try and turn but go nowhere till the front is on top and the rig moves forward. With the lockers in I have to ride the clutch in first and use a fair amount of torque to pop the front wheel up.

With the lockers out and the centre diff locked its much easier but I still have to ride the clutch.

With open diffs front rear and centre it drives it really easily. I can even drive it with my foot off the clutch apply the break till the front wheel touches the vertical ledge and then just touch the accelerator and it idles over it.

Driving with lockers on sticky surfaces breaks shiat even with a very light foot cause the wheels need to travel different distances to drive over stuff.

Sam

Fear Factory · 01-23-2002, 03:06 PM

I've never lost an axle which is pretty unbelieveable. I have the GBR rears right now and stock front end but the new front GBR is here but I haven't put them in yet. I've been running Q78 (36") swampers and now the 36" SX swampers for about two years. Everyone I four wheel with has broken front and rear axles and stock 2 pin rear diffs, so at leat I've had the pleasure of fixing the stuff.

01-11-2002, 08:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
RockRover Rock God Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4101 Location: Santa Fe Posts: 2,232	How many Rover Axels have you broken? I had about a 4 year run with stock axles. Never popped a single one. I attributed it to a light foot and smooth driving. Then it started happening. I was popping axles all over the place. I think the SSR's had something to do with that too, but primarily I attribute it to increased driving skills that brought me to places I initially would never have gone...And lines that I, in the beginning, would have labeled ludicrous. The first was on Launching Pad in Moab...Right rear...Typical. The second was a testing section behind my house...Again right rear. I wrote off the breakage as a fluke, then I lost three on one 1/16th mile run (Patriot, on the Independence trail system). Two right rears and a CV. I bought the GBR HD rear axles. Then, again while on the "behind my house" testing section, I lost two front CV's. Then I twisted a GBR the last day in Cruses (Roticillo Rapids)...Didn't loose a CV though...But two months later at the Twist-Off I lost a fatigued (from Cruses) CV. Then two day's later in Moab, I lost a front R&P. At that point I said enough's enough, and committed to running 60's. All the above breakage happend in a 2 year period (two seasons) with 4:7 gears and 35's (Dunlop Rover MT's 33.5", and SSR's.) __________________ Hendrix 'X' Chassis #006 http://www.hunt4steve.com/Doug.html

01-11-2002, 11:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
RockRover Rock God Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4101 Location: Santa Fe Posts: 2,232	Hey John...Is your measurement of the MT actual, or is that the spec on the tire? I've heard they are shorter than that...Especially on a 10" rim. --D __________________ Hendrix 'X' Chassis #006 http://www.hunt4steve.com/Doug.html

01-14-2002, 01:35 PM	#16 (permalink)
Rover Addiction Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4749 Location: Erie, CO Posts: 975	I haven't broken a rear yet because I put in my ARBs and GBR 24 spline axles before I got big tires, but I've trashed about 4 sets of front stuff. Broken both stockers and GBR HD axles and CVs. Like the rest of you, I'm still looking for that elusive strong front end. I've found that being careful, I can make the GBR front stuff last a while, but it still breaks at bad times. I'm waiting for Bill to make his new super dooper set available. I almost bought the rover 1-ton set from ECR, but that required changing my spindles, bearings, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I guess I still may end up doing that since Bill is taking so long. I'd really prefer to stay with the rover axles since the rear is already strong and they have pretty good clearance. I also like my 2 rovers to use the same parts so I don't have to stock different parts. -John __________________ "All the parts falling off this truck are of the finest british craftsmanship."

01-20-2002, 11:35 AM	#18 (permalink)
brianbonner90 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9329 Location: Rocky Mountains Posts: 30	Zero. And I wheel with atleast 1,000lbs in the D90. i attribute this to a light foot, and 33" tires. to the first poster, I got confused by your message. you went from 33" MT's to 36" SSR"S? Well that would explain it. but even if you went from 35" BFG to a 36" ssr, the SSR's are a MUCH heavier tire, which may contribute to it. Another theory? the axles are not being made as well as they used to? back to my BTW been on and off the BBs for a while, I am glad there is finally a LR section __________________ Thanks Brian http://www.lubedealer.com/brianbonner Http://www.circle-b.com

01-22-2002, 02:17 PM	#20 (permalink)
merv Granite Guru Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9396 Location: Kildare, Ireland Posts: 540	6 or 7 rear half shafts with a 2.25 litre n/a diesel 1 cv, 3 diffs and wrung off the rear prop shaft once. All standard crap, but very cheap to replace __________________ Merv. Warning, spellchecker is switched off, gramma may be errotic.

01-11-2002, 09:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
RVR OVR Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9056 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 179	Never snapped one myself, but lent out my spare to somebody who did. He had a rear detroit, and only 235/85's w/Goodyear MTR's. However, the miles on the original stock axle were quite high, but only about 1 years worth on the Detroit. Tom

01-11-2002, 09:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
GRNRVR Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9055 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 75	I haven't broken one yet.. knocking on wood.. But, I would attribute that mostly to that fact that I am still learning what my Discovery can do and what I can do for that matter. I'm not heavy footed on the gas but, I'm also running little 225/75 tires on all stock drive train.. Little tires look pretty funny with the 4 inches of lift. Getting new tires soon so I'm sure that breakage isn't far from my future.

01-11-2002, 10:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
roverhybrids Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 3979 Location: redding, ca Posts: 694	2 trips on the Rubicon and 1 on Fordyce. plus some local stuff(not too much rock) all with stock drive train and 35" SSR's. Blew rear spiders gears crawling up a small hill.(they must have been fatigued.) Replaced with f&r ARB's, GBR 4.75 gears and the rear 30 spline summers bros axles. Broke front short side axle in Moab at the rock pile. It was just getting dark and in the rain. I tried a different line on the right side. Got the front tires on top but couldn't get it to go the rest of the way(too slick) Hooked a strap on the front from someone already up top and when he pulled I gased hard and it loaded my front end(real steep hill) and didn't give me any forward movement. So basically as soon as the clutch came out the short side front axle went "snap" and I went "&%$* that was stupid"

01-11-2002, 11:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jtisdale Rock God Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8122 Location: USA Posts: 1,256	I run GBR HD rears 4:10s and stock front CVs. Havent broken one yet. Probably two reasons, MT/Rs only measure 34.4 and I only turn on my front ARB for the short section I need it to get through. I'm sure as my CVs get more fatigued one will go...hopefully they will survive Cruces next month! Oh yeah...I'm not a throttle jockey either! JT

01-11-2002, 03:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jtisdale Rock God Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8122 Location: USA Posts: 1,256	D Those are GY specs, I'll check actual sometime this weekend. Are you interested in aired up or down? JT

01-11-2002, 09:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
madcowdungbeetle Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9065 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 889	Haven't broken anything yet....how, I'm not quite sure, I must not be wheelin' it hard enough I'm sure there will be plenty carnage in my future though Anyone know where I can find some info on the Macnamara Birfield adapters, I've only heard of them, but don't know much else about them. -Jon

01-12-2002, 04:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
Strange Rover Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 7962 Location: Australia Posts: 1,462	With 31in tyres and the stock axles I would have broken at least 12 axles over a 6 month period. Most of them rears but also included a couple of fronts. It used to only take me about 7 minutes to change a rear axle on the trail but the fronts were a major PITA. Oh yea these were the good old 10 spline axles with a very, very light foot. I wouldnt drive anywhere with wheel spin (unless I really had to ) and all the new axles were just crap ones (all 10 spline axles are crap) from the wreckers. I now run stock scout II Dana 44s front and rear with 4.09s (should have gone lower) and 36 inch tyres. I have been belting the piss outa these axles and have broken one rear in the last 4 months since I did the swap. But I really did deserve it. Sam

01-12-2002, 06:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
Jtisdale Rock God Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8122 Location: USA Posts: 1,256	Hey madcowdungbeetle, where do you wheel. I grew up in Charlotte and used to go to tellico all the time! JT

01-12-2002, 08:23 AM	#11 (permalink)
madcowdungbeetle Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9065 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 889	I wheel at Uwharrie for the most part. I haven't been to Tellico yet, mainly because I want to beef up my drivetrain and armor up the Disco a 'lil more before I go. At some point I'd like to do Moab and some of the trails out west. -Jon

01-12-2002, 08:29 AM	#12 (permalink)
road1will Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8871 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 3,344	none yet, KOW... as we all pray to the god of detroit lockers and 10 spline land rover axles... may you coexist in harmony and peace, for when you are in disagreement, hell is unleashed within the world that is the rear axle. if you must fight, axles, may you break cleanly and on level ground!

01-14-2002, 11:18 AM	#15 (permalink)
Jtisdale Rock God Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8122 Location: USA Posts: 1,256	D Running 15x8 and you are right. At ~ 30Lbs my MT/Rs stand just a hair under 34"s tall. The are new so tread depth is at a maximum. I usually run with guys with SSRs(35s) and that is a big tire in comparison, definately a true 35. JT

01-14-2002, 02:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
Jtisdale Rock God Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8122 Location: USA Posts: 1,256	I'm eager to see how strong they turn out to be. I like Bill and he knows his stuff, but if I drop close to $1900 on a set of front CVs, either they better come with a lifetime warranty or be indestructable. IIRC he is just heat treating them and removing any potential imperfections on the star, so they will eventually be prone to stress cracks? JT

01-22-2002, 02:15 PM	#19 (permalink)
offroadr35 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8843 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,838	2 axles and 2 CVs. I have the GBR HD ones in now and haven't had a problem. I'll never buy a Rover drivetrain part again though. At some time you get to the point where you look at the durability of the stuff and then the price and hassle of replacing it and wonder WTF am I dealing with this?? -Steve

01-22-2002, 05:53 PM	#21 (permalink)
offroadr35 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8843 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,838	always have to rub in how cheap rover parts are across the pond

01-22-2002, 08:49 PM	#22 (permalink)
Way Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9428 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,151	2 Stock rear 10 spline axles. 1 stock front CV. Broke the bell. 1 stock 10 spline front axle. 2 GBR "(Not So) Extreme Duty" front CVs. Cracked both bells, completely grenaded the second. The cage went with this one. I only run 33 x 12.50s on my Range Rover as well. Light on the throttle, heavy on the big rocks. Way

01-23-2002, 03:57 AM	#24 (permalink)
Strange Rover Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 7962 Location: Australia Posts: 1,462	Big rocks and locked diffs really loads up the drivetrain. Theres a really simple obstical in my back yard. Slightly down hill, nose one front wheel up to a vertical 2foot high concrete step. With everything locked up you can just feel the load on the drivetrain as everying fights against each other as it tryes to walk one front wheel up the vertical ledge while the rest dont really go anywhere. With everything locked up the one front wheel turns to move up the vertical ledge and the rest try and turn but go nowhere till the front is on top and the rig moves forward. With the lockers in I have to ride the clutch in first and use a fair amount of torque to pop the front wheel up. With the lockers out and the centre diff locked its much easier but I still have to ride the clutch. With open diffs front rear and centre it drives it really easily. I can even drive it with my foot off the clutch apply the break till the front wheel touches the vertical ledge and then just touch the accelerator and it idles over it. Driving with lockers on sticky surfaces breaks shiat even with a very light foot cause the wheels need to travel different distances to drive over stuff. Sam

01-23-2002, 03:06 PM	#25 (permalink)
Fear Factory Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9448 Location: Kansas City/Belton Posts: 412	I've never lost an axle which is pretty unbelieveable. I have the GBR rears right now and stock front end but the new front GBR is here but I haven't put them in yet. I've been running Q78 (36") swampers and now the 36" SX swampers for about two years. Everyone I four wheel with has broken front and rear axles and stock 2 pin rear diffs, so at leat I've had the pleasure of fixing the stuff.

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