I bought the complete Strange aluminum rear-end housing for the dragster from Strange. We have changed center sections several times, gears and now are using a Yukon 35-spline spool. Same axles and bearings, probably fourth set of 5/8" wheel studs.
Not sure how many runs but the axles were new in 2001. Maybe 3000 runs?? Variety of engines but usually a 4.60-5.00s 1/8th mile dragster.
Just wondering what the useable life of the axles is (other than they are broken). Crack checked them and checked splines a few years ago, everything was good.

Thanks for your input, appreciate it.

Jok

Upgrade to 40 spline. I got some pictures of 35 spline axels that are broke. JMO. Good luck

when an axle breaks it is never a pretty thing. upgrade to 40 spline. Honestly surprised 35 spline axles in a dragster are 16 years old running 4 second passes and still going

bracket racing is full of broke dycks and dumb asses

My dragster is a 2006, and it has had a few seasons of very light use but everything in the rear end is original, right down to the gear oil. Strange 35 spline axles.

I'm planning on changing everything to 40 spline, new gears and also rod ends on the 4 link before I bring it back out.

40 spline MW for the WIN...

Just trying to operate on a budget. Expected Ed's classy response but I appreciate the other replies.

If the 35 splines have worked for you for this long why would you have to change to 40 spline axles? I would have them magnafluxed for cracks and check the splines for any twist. If they are worn out just replace them.

First time i have ever heard of anyone questioning the strength of 35 spline axles

When is the last time you saw a Dragster break an axle or even shear wheel studs. I cannot say I ever saw that happen. The only axles I ever saw break were Strange Engineering and in 3000+ lb clutch launched Modified eliminator type cars. Not saying it can’t happen or that replacing older stuff isn’t a good idea. My own car has Moser 35 spline axles from 2003 and I am going to replace them with the same thing if the center section looks ok when I pull it apart.

quote:

Not sure how many runs but the axles were new in 2001. Maybe 3000 runs?? Variety of engines but usually a 4.60-5.00s 1/8th mile dragster.

Certainly not the best comparison but I ran Strange 35 spline axles in out firebird for close to 15 years, most of that time was mid/low 10's @ 3500lbs. Went through a bunch of ring and pinions but never hurt a spool or axle. I upgraded to a 9" and when specing it out with Strange, even they said I was on borrowed time with those old axles.

Moderate door car I wouldn't see a problem, but a 4.70 dragster ..............

I would look at it this way, what's the cost AFTER a broken axle ??? Could just be an axle or could be much worse. What's the cost for a new 40 spline spool and axles ??? Probably $700 ????



JMO

quote:

When is the last time you saw a Dragster break an axle or even shear wheel studs. I cannot say I ever saw that happen.

I think Wesley Washington just did at VMP a few weeks ago.

I recently broke the left side Mark Williams 35 spline axle in my Roadster. In all fairness they were in the car for more than 18 years but a recent engine change ended the life of the
left axle. The left axle shattered in many places making it impossible to accurately measure the length of the axle. The spool end of the right axle was wisted about a 1/4 turn and bent in the middle, which might explain the recent vibration I was experiencing.

I spoke with Jason at MW and based on the car weigh and power level he strongly recommended changing to their 40 spline axles and corresponding spool. Jason was able to locate the original build sheet based on the serial numbers stamped on the inner end of the one remaining axle. Using those specs, they built a new set of 40’s.

During the initial carnage the left side Wilwood caliper bracket was badly bent and the axle bearing retainer recess section totally destroyed the only thing (barely) keeping the wheel on the car was the rotor hat, the caliper and the caliper bracket. Wilwood no longer offered that bracket so a local Machine Shop built a new one.

The point of this post is that I totally lost the brakes when the axle broke, both back AND front. The car has a dual chamber master cylinder so I should have still had front brakes, but didn’t. Fortunately the axle broke during the initial hit so the car didn’t have any real speed but still enough to coast to just short of the finish line (about 1200 feet). The total expense to replace everything came to a little over $1400, the good news was that the car didn’t crash. Had this happened further down track with more speed there is no way it would have not crashed.

Bottom line.

If you are approaching 1100 hp in a hard hitting 2100 + pound car change to the 40 spline axles, the 35’s will not last and the result will probably be a wadded up car.

I have now completed my “good deed” for the week.

Bob

If you already have around 3000 runs on them running 4.50s and they are still good that answers your question. If they are still straight, not twisted or splines wearing then run them and do not worry.
Yes, I think it is a good idea to check them for twist once in a while but that goes for all axles.

Most of my friends and I have twisted 35 spline once we made power to go below 7.50 with 1900lb dragsters. Some were only twisted a small amount and one of the manufacturers said it was ok.

We all switched to 40.

Greg Kelly...KNOWS!

One manufacture has broken more than most.....

quote:

Originally posted by SCDIV1:
When is the last time you saw a Dragster break an axle or even shear wheel studs. I cannot say I ever saw that happen. The only axles I ever saw break were Strange Engineering and in 3000+ lb clutch launched Modified eliminator type cars. Not saying it can’t happen or that replacing older stuff isn’t a good idea. My own car has Moser 35 spline axles from 2003 and I am going to replace them with the same thing if the center section looks ok when I pull it apart.

I have seen SEVERAL dragsters break 35 spline axles

Point is that there is never a good outcome when axles break going down track. If you are changing out axles how much more money does it cost you to go from 35 spline to 40 spline? The 35's have been fine so replace them with 35's???? spend a couple hundred more dollars and get the extra piece of mind that you aren't gonna put your car in the wall from a broken axle.

the fact that you are thinking about it means you already know the answer,upgrade is my vote