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Axle shortening
Aloupol - 15/2/05 at 10:43 AM

For my bec-middy (approx R1OT layout) I want to put the diff in the center line of the car and use two shafts of equal lenght.
Comon fwd cars have one short (right) and one long (left) shaft, I plan to use two left members and shorten them to suitable lenght.

Anyone knows if it's possible to do?

I think the best is to unmount it, lathe the center area (to ensure alignment) then cut and reassemble with a sleeve hold in place by keys.

Welding would be more easy but maybe not suitable with the material and heat treatment used on shafts.

What do you think about it?


Wadders - 15/2/05 at 11:04 AM

The drive shafts on my sierra based irs are
shortened and welded, and that method is used a lot in the rodding world, with big V8 power, so i would say go that route, far simpler as you say.

Al.

Welding would be more easy but maybe not suitable with the material and heat treatment used on shafts.

What do you think about it?



Aloupol - 15/2/05 at 11:32 AM

Thanks..
I will cut them and assemble in a tube, than weld the edges of the tube on the shaft. Maybe make some holes in the tube to increase welded area.


Peteff - 15/2/05 at 11:37 AM

Is one of them left hand thread? If you use two from the same side you will lose this so get some threadlock ready.


britishtrident - 15/2/05 at 01:02 PM

Many Ford FWD had equal length shafts with nice bolt on couplings.