Topic: It finaly happened

[01amberfirewv]

I was hitting some trails last weekend and a tree got in my way on a hill climb. You can't tell from the pic but the hill leans left and was really slopy.  I didn't want to back down so I had the tree moved over and tried to start then heard BANG.  First thought D35 and I was right.  Some friends swaped in a new passenger side shaft and put some 80w-90 in.  I took a wile to get the medal chunks out so I thought I would clean out the diff and put some syn 75w145 in.  It looked like glitter in my fluid and I found another small chunk in the diff.  I cleaned the diff out as much as possible but I don't think I'll ever get all of the small flakes out.  I managed to break a few teath off of my small ring gear too.  Needless to say I am in the market to upgrade.  

BTW my Jeep is a 2.5 with open diffs.  I think the straw that broke the camels back was the partialy pulled e-brake

[Erik]

thats exactly why i carry one of those telescoping magnets on a stick in my tool box... works GREAT for pulling chunks of axle shaft out of the axle tubes and diff!  will even pull out the broken nubb sometimes... i carry a coat hanger and a small piece of steel tube for persuasion

[Jeffy]

Nice job.  Looks like many of the other D35 shafts I've seen.

[midnightcwby]

Aren’t there stronger alternatives to the stock D35 axle shafts? If there is already a thread about this with links, please point me to it?!  I have been looking a little, and after seeing this, I am even more interested!

thanks

[Jeffy]

You'd be better off swapping the axles if you plan on tires larger then 30".

Most companies like Superior, Yukon, Alloy, etc... make HD shafts that are stock size but are built with better techniques netting you around 19% more strength.

Then there is the SuperTurdy5 (Super 35) that swaps out the carrier and axle shafts for 31 spline shafts.  This leaves you with an undersized R&P and housing.  Basically they shove D44 shafts into the D35 housing.  I wouldn't recommend this for people running over 33" since a complete axle swap is a better option.

You might want to read this thread in the FAQ: http://www.4bangerjp.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=467

[joe-joe]

I put in Yukon "Hardened" 27 spline shafts in my Dana 35. They are about $95 each and have a five year warranty from Yukon. They are said to be 35% stronger than a stock Dana 35 shaft.

[callenst]

Joe Joe,

WHere did you get the Yukons?  

TC

[wrangler387]

You can find them on ebay i know that, not sure where else. I havn't seen anything about how much stronger they truely are...

[trailerrails]

I hate when people talk about the warrenties on axle shafts. Yea axle shaft "X" might have a 5 year or liftetime warrenty but that aint gonna do shit for you when you break one on the first day of a wheeling weekend. Now your weekend is done. But you can get it warrentied and replaced and be ready to go by next weekend. If you are going to go that route, buy a second set and carry them with you. If you break one then you have backups. Or you could just upgrade the axle and not have to worrk about axleshafts.

[Jeffy]

Yukon's are sold through Randy's Ring & Pinion.

I believe Alloy has a lifetime warranty though.

As for the warranty itself, yeah, it doesn't help you get back home but it does get you back on the road without having to shell out more money.

If I was running a D35, I'd go with aftermarket HD shafts and keep the stockers for spares.

Now one of the advantages of the Scout D44 is that the pumpkin is offcenter a bit.  This allows for the axle shafts to be equal length so you only have to carry one shaft for either side.  Most other axles have a left and a right side shaft.  Although if you're in a pinch, I think my might be able to use a short shaft on the long side.

[midnightcwby]

Thanks for the info Jeffy.  I plan to stay in the 29"-30" tire range for the life of this jeep.  If I want 44's I get a 'toy' and swap out bigger axles and all.
For me, the Alloy's with the life time warrantee are pretty appealing.

[01amberfirewv]

I am planning on staying with 31's but on the fince with my axle upgrade.  I may be able to get a truss and with a truss and S35 I would think i'd be ok with 31's.  Then again I thought I'd be ok with a S35 and open diffs :oops:

[Jeffy]

Honestly, if I was running 31's or smaller, I'd upgrade to the HD shafts not the S35.  Then keep a set of standard shafts for spares.  You could buy several used spares for the price of a S35.

[wrangler387]

^ i agree.

[01amberfirewv]

Something else I have been thinking about is running hardend shafts and front and rear true tracs.  I have been wanting to go with 4.88's too and would liek to do it all at once