Stumpalump
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Franktown Co.
I was told by a few dealers that they have a lot of warrenty claims on the Yucon axels. Just what I heard.
Axle shaft upgrades/alloys
- Thread starter Rod Knee
- Start date
killer98xjsport
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Portland Oregon
It's no big deal as long as you get what you need, and my buddy has a wholesale account with Randy's. They are ten time better than "Genuine" gears and axles.
- Location
- Reno, Nevada
1541 vs 4340
Cal touched on this a bit but here it is.
1541 is a softer alloy shaft compared to 4340 Chromoly, but still much stronger than stock. I believe most companies make their rear shafts for the XJ out of 1541 and the reason for that is because it is a semi-floating axle (so is the front BTW). This means that the axle shaft bears some of the weight of the vehicle. Because of that the axle needs to be able to flex or bend a small amount and not break. 1541 is ductile and can accomplish that. 4340 Chromoly is stronger but it is less ductile, and therefore (in theory) not the best choice for use in a semi-floating axle.
HOWEVER.... there are a few companies like Superior who are making their rear shafts out of 4340 Chromoly even though it is in a semi-float axle. In discussing it with them, I was told that it would still be okay to use 4340 for the XJ because of how light the vehicle is. I have 1541 Yukons in mine now but may switch to Superior later this year. I believe they are right, but we'll see.
Cal touched on this a bit but here it is.
1541 is a softer alloy shaft compared to 4340 Chromoly, but still much stronger than stock. I believe most companies make their rear shafts for the XJ out of 1541 and the reason for that is because it is a semi-floating axle (so is the front BTW). This means that the axle shaft bears some of the weight of the vehicle. Because of that the axle needs to be able to flex or bend a small amount and not break. 1541 is ductile and can accomplish that. 4340 Chromoly is stronger but it is less ductile, and therefore (in theory) not the best choice for use in a semi-floating axle.
HOWEVER.... there are a few companies like Superior who are making their rear shafts out of 4340 Chromoly even though it is in a semi-float axle. In discussing it with them, I was told that it would still be okay to use 4340 for the XJ because of how light the vehicle is. I have 1541 Yukons in mine now but may switch to Superior later this year. I believe they are right, but we'll see.
Rod Knee
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Grand Jct., CO
Well, I brought this whole issue up after reading Zappe's book on building up the XJ. He says stay away from the chromoly, they are for full float which the XJ is not. After reading the responses, I'm just going to the salvage yard and getting OEM 29 spline for the rear... and be happy with that.
- Location
- Birmingham, AL
Matt98XJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Sanford Stadium, row 5.
Stumpalump said:
Of course they get more warranty claims, they sell more shafts then anyone else. I'm sure Alloy, and Superior get a lot of warranty stuff too. I've never had a problem with my Yukon shafts.
- Location
- Reno, Nevada
I said that?? :laugh3:Rod Knee said:
Well, I won't give any advice as I am kind of a newbee myself, but if you want a 8.25 with a 29 spline and a 30 with alloy usa axles (both have ARBs) I am upgrading and I will sell you mine. They are in a cherry 2000 xj with 42000 original miles. You can drive it with the axles in it. The gears are 3.55s. Too tall for me, I'll be pulling a trailer over mountain roads and they won't work. Have receipts for everything. $2000 takes it all. I need to figure out how to turn on my pm so just reply if interested.
EricsXJ said:
While this is mainly correct, it's sort of misleading. Also some of the terminology is incorrect.
4340 is not ideal in a semi-float axle because it doesn't handle bending stresses as well as 1541 and vise versa is true in torsion.
What the statement should say is, 1541 is much more elastic in bending and 4340 is much more elastic in torsion. Meaning 1541 will bend more before breaking than 4340, and 4340 will twist more before breaking than 1541. Elastic, of course means that it will return to it's original shape.
- Location
- Hammertown, USA
I've seen more 1541 shafts break than 4130 or 4340.. at least, in a rear d44 setup. Granted, I don't have quiet the experiance that some of the peeps here have, I've been around long enough to form a decent opinion of what works and doesnt. I'm running Chromo front and rear, and always will.
jeeperjohn
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Temecula, CA
Alloy USA shafts, although expensive, have a 10 year no questions asked guarantee. I would stick with the 8.25 and use alloy USA shafts front and rear.
Rod Knee
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Grand Jct., CO
EricsXJ said:
Well, thats what I got out of page 78 where you state: "4340 is reserved for full floating axles" and "all stock XJ front and rear axles have semi-floating shafts". You do make an exeption in the case of the hub conversion (which would seem to be to pricey for me for its worth). Anyway, did I make an incorrect inferrence from that statement? I am enjoying your book.
By the way, I used to live in Nevada too...Elko, Eureka and Austin. Wheeled extensively as a geologist in the mining industry. I remember times when the front and rear wheels would get in different sets of ruts in the mud...you'd have to look out the side window to see where you were going. Those were the days.
Rod Knee
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Grand Jct., CO
XJME said:
Well thanks, but I'm not ready to do anything yet, except furthering my education and getting off the steeper part of the learning curve.:lecture:
mjma
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Rehoboth, MA
Rod Knee said:
Good stuff man, I'm a geologist too, actually a hydrogeologist. Geologists gotta wheel!
Rod Knee
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Grand Jct., CO
mjma said:
Hey, I'm doing hydro now too, even though I think of myself as a generalist.
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