I have been on the phone with several axle manufacturors this week and
the basic conclusion has been to replace the whole thing. Strange
Engineering said that their axles are not meant for load bearing since
they are thru hardened. They are made for torsional strength.
Strange referred me to Dutchman Motorsports in Oregon since Dutchman
makes induction hardened axles. By being induction hardened the
inside would remain ductile. I sent them an axle drawing out of the
parts manual with some dimensions since they would possibly be able to
make a flanged axle. Unfortunately the 1 inch inner spline is too
small for what they can handle. They suggested looking at a Dana 44
assembly (used in Tigers) or a Chrysler 8.75 since both are relatively
small.
I called Moser Engineering but they could not do anything with it and
they refered me to an MG racer Glen Tower.
I also discussed this with Currie Engineering but they could not make
a replacement shaft. They could build a Ford 8.8 with a Detroit
locker and Disc brakes, all assembled for $2500. This would have
axles from a 9 inch ford and tapered roller bearings. They could have
it ready in 3 weeks. The 8.8 is used on 85 and up Mustangs and some
pick up trucks 81 and up.
The consensus from all of the axle companies was that the TR design
axle with the taper and keyway is a bad design for racing
applications, although it was fine for the street.
I have been using a 4.3 gear set and find it works the best for the
tracks in the Northeast. The 8 inch Ford does not have a 4.3
available nor does the Dana 44, at least that I could find. Both the
Chrysler and the Ford have a 4.3 gear set available as well as all the
other ratios you could wish for. The Ford being much newer and
popular would have better parts availability.
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