HD Axles

[Shoogs]

Hello,

Well, in August I am off down the CSR, have been slowly doing a few bits and pieces, A frame bush, timing belt, bearings etc... but have now to decide about replacing rear axles, 1996 Camel Trophy 110, 200 odd thousand kms... mainly Africa, some Mongolia and now Oz, question is are HD axles worth it..? As I figure if there haven't broke but are worn why not just keep the same type, and not just for originality... its rarely been driven on such smooth roads and is bloody heavy with all the roll cage etc... and I am hardly hard core... mainly touring and beach work. I figure there are other ways to remain reliable...

Great gear but really worth the cost...?

[Pacemaker]

Hi there,

If you run standard open centre diffs and have never broken an axel then providing you dont change your driving habbits you probably wont ever see the need for h/d axels. However they are a piece of mind and they dont wear in the splines where the flange contacts the half shaft.

If you plan on keeping the defender for a long time its a great piece of mind knowing your standard soft half shafts arent going to wear and strip the splines at the most inconvenient time.

If you run a locker or much larger tyres then the heavy duty shafts are valuable. From what ive heard heavy duty shafts arent all equal between brands. I cannot give any first hand info on any brand except Hy tuff / maxi drive. They have been fantastic.

Cheers
Michael.

[slug_burner]

I have maxi drive. I am not hardcore and it is a stock 300 Tdi 110 Defender. The OEM axles had a slight twist in the splines at the wheel flange end when I examined. This after the service department told me that I needed to watch the slop in the drive line.

I also changed to oil lubed hubs at the same time as I upgraded the axles. That should not be a problem with 200 TDi.

[Shoogs]

yep standard open diffs, and have never broken an axle, 235/85R16 on wolf rims... 300tdi with Allisport mods but nothing silly, weight is the issue as I see it.

And yes vehicle is a keeper, my wife said I needed a hobby, I dont think she quite knew what that meant...

Thanks for the feedback, will pull the axles again on the weekend and decide then.

cheers

Tim