Grinding Maxidrive axles

[nairbo]

I am running a rear ARB lokka with Maxi axles ,one axle has the 3rd spline for the maxi lokka ,it wont fit thru the stub axle!
Can I carefully grind this spline off so it will fit thru the stub , without affecting the strength of the axle ?

[F'n_Rover]

If you grind them off with a grinder by hand they will be weaker. I would try to find some one with a lathe and decent cutting tips. Try and get the area as smooth as possable - polish it up while on the lathe with wet 'n dry. Don't leave any ridges.

Why not remove the spindle to fit? Yep its a PITA, but so is getting some one to machine the shaft.

[cloughy]

NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

they're case hardened and you'll kill the splines, if you wan't to mak it easier next time around you can machine the spindle enough for the spline to come through BUT WHY? once you've got a locker and axles you shouldn't be pulling it apart often at all

[nairbo]

Yeah you guys are right ill pull the spindle
Im just lazy
Thanks for the input

[uninformed]

NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

they're case hardened and you'll kill the splines, if you wan't to mak it easier next time around you can machine the spindle enough for the spline to come through BUT WHY? once you've got a locker and axles you shouldn't be pulling it apart often at all

would they not be through hardened????????? i thought that case hardening was more for ware, there not in a state of high ware????

serg

[cloughy]

NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

they're case hardened and you'll kill the splines, if you wan't to mak it easier next time around you can machine the spindle enough for the spline to come through BUT WHY? once you've got a locker and axles you shouldn't be pulling it apart often at all

would they not be through hardened????????? i thought that case hardening was more for ware, there not in a state of high ware????

serg

You don't want axles hardened through as they become brittle under pressure, like a file hard as (files steel) but brittle to an extent it shatters when it breaks. axles are only hardened on the ouside so the splines don't wear out the actual axle strength is in the material itself

[uninformed]

why would the splines wear????? there not in a mesh arangement like gears, there in a male/female connection with the drive flange/spider gear or cv end, so i can't see why there would be much of a wear rate, unlike gears etc

serg

[Slunnie]

Dont know, they seem to though. I guess they must still move as the axle flexs under loads, and as the loads are reversed through it.

[cloughy]

why would the splines wear????? there not in a mesh arangement like gears, there in a male/female connection with the drive flange/spider gear or cv end, so i can't see why there would be much of a wear rate, unlike gears etc

serg

There not an interference fit (not pressed or real tight) so they wrap, or load up on each side and cause wear. I understand why you think that but they wear out

[Micka]

why would the splines wear????? there not in a mesh arangement like gears, there in a male/female connection with the drive flange/spider gear or cv end, so i can't see why there would be much of a wear rate, unlike gears etc

serg

There not an interference fit (not pressed or real tight) so they wrap, or load up on each side and cause wear. I understand why you think that but they wear out

The fact that you can insert and remove them by hand should also give you a clue that they will have a certain amount of play - even if it is in nanometres!

The splines will wear out through being engaged.


Micka

[ISUZUROVER]

They are THROUGH hardened, not case hardened. But I still wouldn't machine the locking dog splines off though. AFAIK through hardening is better (for an axle) as the steel is more uniform all the way through the section, so should be LESS brittle - but brittleness is more related to other properties besides hardness. John???

All the strongest axles are through hardened - HI-TUFF/AMS6418 (MD), EN25 (Jacmac), 4340, 300M/4340M.

[cloughy]

Sorry i don't know how to make a link

www.nsor.com/featureditems/yukon%20axles

googled for "axle through hardened"

Axles i have had made have been 4140 and water induction hardened leaving them case hardened, although same may be through hardened but most are case

www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-BV60/index1b.html

Which conflicts what i say

Jeeez more i read the more conflictions i find

Edit, so thats how you make a link

[Bush65]

Through hardened and tempered is the best option IMHO. Tempering reduces the brittleness. The hardness will be greatest near the surface and reduce toward the centre, because the centre can't be quenched quickly. Strength is related to hardness.

For mass production purposes, I would not be surprised if induction hardening was used. An electrical coil heats the axle as it passes through the coil. The depth of hardness would be limited to near the surface, but would be greater than case hardening, which is carried out in a carburising medium.

For an axle we are concerned with torque, which creates maximum stress at the surface, reducing to zero at the centre. So hardness at the surface is important.