Thread: Propshaft builders

It's not so much getting the parts, it's getting someone to build it for a reasonable price, that's the challenge

Baz.

Hey Keith, I think most here are actually importing Tom Woods shafts, those that need 'em anyway..

Seems cheaper than having the local guys build one.....

A couple of local guys:
Propeller Shaft Services
Hardy Spicer

There's others, obviously Spicer can supply similar parts to what you can get in the States.

Difference is price. A Tom Woods shaft is about $525AU landed here, maybe a bit less, a locally made shaft is around $800AU.

I have always found the local Hardy Spicer branches competent and reasonable. Word of warning about excessively increasing the strength of prop shafts. Often the original designer meant the shaft to be the fusible link in the drivetrain and meant to fail before damage occurs to the more expensive components.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

I have always found the local Hardy Spicer branches competent and reasonable. Word of warning about excessively increasing the strength of prop shafts. Often the original designer meant the shaft to be the fusible link in the drivetrain and meant to fail before damage occurs to the more expensive components.

I don't think anyone in their right mind would design a prop shaft to fail, half shafts yes, but prop shaft failures can kill

Did anyone see the Thomson Universal on 'The New Inventors' (ABC) last night, Sydney time?
This was designed by a guy in Orange (central west NSW), it has very little friction, even at full articulation of up to 32.5 degrees.

Apparantly they are being made in all sizes - even up to an industrial one the size of a 44 gallon drum!

I'd be interested if anyone knows any more about them.

Originally Posted by jimbo110

I don't think anyone in their right mind would design a prop shaft to fail, half shafts yes, but prop shaft failures can kill

Certainly is the case in a few applications I can think of in heavy trucks. Better to stuff up a prop shaft than stuff up a Road Ranger or a forward diff.

Most the components we like to use here are off American pickups. Spicer 130 joints, Din 1310 pinion flanges, etc.. Be happy to share the information with all who would like if the parts are easy to come by.. We can build it stronger more long wearing and a shaft capable of much more angularity.
__________________

No one has answered his question!!

I haven't had a lot to do with them, as generally its cheaper to buy a new shaft in Oz than have a rebuild, but I do not think that many driveshaft repairers/builders in Australia would stock US pickup UJs and yolks and splines.

I have never seen ads in Australian mags for driveshaft rebuilders, maybe because the majority of 4x4s in Australia are Japanese or Land Rovers which seem to have stronger standard components, and its generally illegal in Australia to have monster lifts like in the USA.

Also its unusual in Oz to have monster 460CID motors and Atlas transfers that twist driveshafts.For example even high lifted Rovers seem to have enough travel in the spline and angularity on the UJ. And of course they break axles before driveshafts!LOL.
Regards Philip A

Well, to answer the question, Spicer components are readily available here and the Spicer sizing codes are virtually the industry standard. Any competent prop shaft shop, particularly those catering to the transport industry, can custom build you a shaft using them.