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full float vs semi float axles
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 7:02 pm
by 308LUX
im after as much tech as possible about a full float and semi float axle.
whats the difference?
pro's & cons?
which is better? etc.
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 9:45 pm
by mud4b
and while your at it explain the difference between the two.
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:19 am
by CRUSHU
here is a short reply, the tech guys can fill in the rest. a full float axle only turns the wheel. all the weight of the rig is supported by the diff housing. if you break an axle, it stops turning. as the axle only has to deal with rotational force, it doesnt need to be as big. a semi float axle has to handle turning force, and the weight of the rig, and side load etc. and if it breaks after the bearing in the housing, the end of the axle, with the wheel attached, will fall off. usually making a mess of your brakes.
its also easier putting heavy wheels on a full floater, as, like the front, there is a hub to slide it on.
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 8:12 am
by Andrew_C
All of the above - Usually the bearing is pressed onto the axle of a semi floater making it so when you pull the axle out, you pull out the bearing and everything else attached- so broken axle or stuffed bearing is BAD- especially somewhere not service friendly. And the brakes hold your wheel on. A full floater can have the axle removed without even taking the wheel off- You see the bit that sticks out of a Crusier axle in the centre like a hub(actually it is a hub) if you undo the little bolts around it, Then the axle just comes out. Good if you plan to break axles and you have a difflock so you can drive on the other wheel.
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 3:55 pm
by Bitsamissin
Most modern semi floaters are flanged (4-6 bolts) just after the wheel bearing where the axle ends. I have heard this set up being described as a three quarter floater. So it's virtually impossible for the wheel to fall off if the axle breaks. Still because one end will always be connected to the wheel (after the break) it will flop around inside the axle tube causing all sorts of damage as the wheel turns. Trust me I know..................
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 4:30 pm
by ToNkA
Bitsamissin wrote:Trust me I know..................
Rocky Track hey frank!
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 6:54 pm
by Bitsamissin
Yep thats the first one from Rocky Tk.
The second one at Marysville did a sh1t load more damage.
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 6:55 pm
by ToNkA
Bitsamissin wrote:Yep thats the first one from Rocky Tk.
The second one at Marysville did a sh1t load more damage.
I never heard about the second one!
Pics!
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:19 pm
by Bitsamissin
No I didn't get any pics of that one but I saw the mashed pieces that were replaced, far worse than the first one. This time it was the other side 6 months later.
It was repaired by Geelong Diffs who put the front Detroit in at the same time. He's making up some H/D axles for me in his own time in case it happens again. He thought the first break could have weakened the other side but feels with the front locker I should be ok now (much less stress on the rear) but we shall see......................
He was looking at me strangely when I said I wasn't doing anything stupid
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:27 pm
by ToNkA
You doing something stupid? nahhhhhhhhhh.
Will be popping into your work next wed or thurs to say g'day. Hopefully chat to ya then mate.