Ashcroft Axle Twisted 1440 Degrees!!!! - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

FrankenRover · 02-25-2002, 06:22 PM

Hey all you pussy poseurs,

Just got back from Chile Challenge (where we had an absolute blast), and I was unloading the D90 into the garage. After looking at one of the broken rear axle shafts (late model Ashcroft HD shafts) from the trip (which also blew the Detroit diff), I noticed that it had twisted much more than the 540 degrees I had thought.

Carefully following some lines on the axle shaft I was able to get through 4 complete revolutions on the shaft (1440 degrees!!!). I had thought they were only good for about 2 full revolutions (720 degrees)before breaking, but I was wrong. It broke near the drive flange at the line created by the induction hardening on the splines (hmmm, interesting).

Anyway, this drives home the point - pull your rear axles and check them for twist. It may save you a big break on the trail (and it only takes removing 10 bolts (5 per side)).

Blister

ps. I can take some dig. picts of the shaft for those interested

ps2. Thanks to John Putnins, I was able to install his spare 3rd member with 4.1's and an ARB locker and finish the event.

Way · 02-25-2002, 07:24 PM

Hey, how about along with that pic you show us some of your digital pics from the event!?!?! Your pictures always turn out great. If you do not feel like postin them, send them over via email.

Way

Spa_way@hotmail.com

Rover Addiction · 02-26-2002, 10:05 AM

Holy crap, that's a lot of twist!

Now you've really earned the name Dr. Twist!!

I'll have to paint a line on my GBRs and see what happens.

Oh yeah, and I'll take some pics of my R&P and my tire tonight when I get home. I was so intent on fixing them and getting back to wheeling that I never did get a picture of either one!

Are you going to tear apart that Detroit and show us what broke?

-John.

Way · 02-26-2002, 11:03 AM

What are you going to do for your rear axle now. Seems as though you break a fair amount of them. Do I see a dana 60 in your future, or some more rover parts???

Way

JSBriggs · 02-26-2002, 11:47 AM

WOW.

Now without trying to start a huge "this axel is better" arguement, your ability to swap in a spare 3rd member is the reason I am a huge fan of the Ford 9"/Rover/Eaton style axel. With a D44/D60-70/Salsbury this would have not been a trail fix.

While breaking parts sucks on the trail, and hurts in the wallet, it does leave you great decorations to hang in your garage.

-Jeff Briggs

Rover Addiction · 02-26-2002, 11:55 AM

Still haven't broken the GBR 24 spline axles!! They've stood up to two R&P sets and two broken driveshafts. Not bad in my book.

Don't forget the ultimate third member axles: Mog!! And Rockwells aren't bad either.

-John

rhills · 02-27-2002, 03:50 PM

I bent the splines 20 degrees last year at the CC on a GBR axle. Put an huge amount of torque on it (it was wedged under a rock), but it still got through several days without breaking.

Rich Hills

02-25-2002, 06:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
FrankenRover Registered - Active Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9461 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 1,768	Ashcroft Axle Twisted 1440 Degrees!!!! Hey all you pussy poseurs, Just got back from Chile Challenge (where we had an absolute blast), and I was unloading the D90 into the garage. After looking at one of the broken rear axle shafts (late model Ashcroft HD shafts) from the trip (which also blew the Detroit diff), I noticed that it had twisted much more than the 540 degrees I had thought. Carefully following some lines on the axle shaft I was able to get through 4 complete revolutions on the shaft (1440 degrees!!!). I had thought they were only good for about 2 full revolutions (720 degrees)before breaking, but I was wrong. It broke near the drive flange at the line created by the induction hardening on the splines (hmmm, interesting). Anyway, this drives home the point - pull your rear axles and check them for twist. It may save you a big break on the trail (and it only takes removing 10 bolts (5 per side)). Blister ps. I can take some dig. picts of the shaft for those interested ps2. Thanks to John Putnins, I was able to install his spare 3rd member with 4.1's and an ARB locker and finish the event. Last edited by FrankenRover; 02-25-2002 at 06:45 PM.

02-25-2002, 07:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Way Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9428 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,151	Pictures Hey, how about along with that pic you show us some of your digital pics from the event!?!?! Your pictures always turn out great. If you do not feel like postin them, send them over via email. Way Spa_way@hotmail.com

02-26-2002, 10:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rover Addiction Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4749 Location: Erie, CO Posts: 975	Holy crap, that's a lot of twist! Now you've really earned the name Dr. Twist!! I'll have to paint a line on my GBRs and see what happens. Oh yeah, and I'll take some pics of my R&P and my tire tonight when I get home. I was so intent on fixing them and getting back to wheeling that I never did get a picture of either one! Are you going to tear apart that Detroit and show us what broke? -John. __________________ "All the parts falling off this truck are of the finest british craftsmanship."

02-26-2002, 11:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
JSBriggs Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9768 Location: Auburn CA Posts: 1,387	WOW. Now without trying to start a huge "this axel is better" arguement, your ability to swap in a spare 3rd member is the reason I am a huge fan of the Ford 9"/Rover/Eaton style axel. With a D44/D60-70/Salsbury this would have not been a trail fix. While breaking parts sucks on the trail, and hurts in the wallet, it does leave you great decorations to hang in your garage. -Jeff Briggs __________________ All it needs is just a little luvin'

02-26-2002, 11:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rover Addiction Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4749 Location: Erie, CO Posts: 975	Still haven't broken the GBR 24 spline axles!! They've stood up to two R&P sets and two broken driveshafts. Not bad in my book. Don't forget the ultimate third member axles: Mog!! And Rockwells aren't bad either. -John __________________ "All the parts falling off this truck are of the finest british craftsmanship."

02-26-2002, 11:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
Way Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9428 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,151	What are you going to do for your rear axle now. Seems as though you break a fair amount of them. Do I see a dana 60 in your future, or some more rover parts??? Way

02-27-2002, 03:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
rhills Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9497 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 123	I bent the splines 20 degrees last year at the CC on a GBR axle. Put an huge amount of torque on it (it was wedged under a rock), but it still got through several days without breaking. Rich Hills

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