Install HD axles or stay with standard axles?

[I Love My Landy!]

G'day everyone,

I have a Maxi-Drive diff lock in the rear diff (Salisbury) of my '84 County, however i am only using standard axles. The axles are getting a bit worn (the truck has almost done 400,000km) and hence i will be looking at replacing them in the near future. So my question is, is it worth spending the big bucks (for a student anyway) and installing HD axles or just stick with the standard axles? I am only running 31" all terrain tyres and i am very sensible when off road.

Thank you in advance!

Edward :)

[Slunnie]

Maxi diff locks have to run with HD maxidrive axles. They are splined so a locking dog can slide on them to lock in with the hemisphere. You'll need to contact Barry at Hi-tuff for replacements.

[I Love My Landy!]

Thanks Slunnie!

So are you saying that the axles i already have must be HD Maxi-Drive axles? If so then they don't appear to be, as i have the standard style flanges and there are no MD stampings on the axle ends.

Edward :)

[Slunnie]

As far as I'm aware all Maxidrive lockers have to have maxidrive axles to work. I'm not sure if there was an evolution in the axle design with regards to the hubs etc but if the locker actually works than you will have to have MD axles.

[isuzurover]

Thanks Slunnie!

So are you saying that the axles i already have must be HD Maxi-Drive axles? If so then they don't appear to be, as i have the standard style flanges and there are no MD stampings on the axle ends.

Edward :)

Slunnie is correct. Here is a cut open Maxi-Drive locker:

http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/ecars/A/PiCs37/Diff.locks.maxidrv.jpg

And some std MD axles (thanks slunnie)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/390.jpg

Note the extra splines on one axle for the locking dog (red bit in picture 1) to engage on.

If you have an ARB or any other type of locker you could have standard axles, but not if you have a maxi drive. The drive flanges can remain standard, they are optional extras (I had to pay extra for mine).

Are your axles worn or just the drive flanges???

[I Love My Landy!]

Thanks Slunnie and isuzurover!

Looks like i do have HD axles afterall (woohoo! :banana:) but i just have the standard type flanges.

The drive flanges were worn so i replaced them recently, but there was also a bit of wear on the axles.

Edward :)

[isuzurover]

Thanks Slunnie and isuzurover!

I think you're missing a picture isuzurover, but i'm getting the idea. It looks like i just have the standard type flanges.

The drive flanges were worn the most and have recently been replaced, but there was also a bit of wear on the axles.

Edward :)

Both pics should be there now?

Early MD axles were made from EN25. If you have these they weren't quite as strong and may have worn a bit faster.

[I Love My Landy!]

Yeah thanks for that isuzurover, the picture ended up coming through.

So it looks like when i do replace these i'll do what Slunnie said and ring Barry at Hy-Tuff.

Thanks again!

Edward :)

[isuzurover]

Yeah thanks for that isuzurover, the picture ended up coming through.

So it looks like when i do replace these i'll do what Slunnie said and ring Barry at Hy-Tuff.

Thanks again!

Edward :)

Yes, Barry at HI-TOUGH Engineering at carrara is the only person who makes them now (he used to work for Mal - Maxi-Drive).

When you are changing them, you will need to remove the actuator so you can fit the dog onto the new axle - if you have really early ones you may also have a different dog spline???

You also need to remove the hub and stub axle on the same side, as the axle won't fit through the stub.

[I Love My Landy!]

Thanks again isuzurover!

Edward :)