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Thread: GKN axle weak spot

  1. #21
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor jonnymopar's Avatar
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    Picking up a pair of Dynasty axles on eBay. Don't know the mileage, but they're a spitting image of the Saginaws that originally came in my car.

    As for the original subject of this thread, the GKN axle is already out and gone. Not because I broke it, but because it painted my transmission and some of my firewall with F-ing grease! 5 weeks in the car! I didn't immediately recognize the type of axle that I got this time, but the outer joint said SPICER on it. I actually didn't realize that they made axles for these cars. We'll see how long this one lasts. Either this axle is out of balance, or the clamp-on counterweights make a HUGE difference. This is the first axle I've put in there without the counterweight and it vibrates a bit when I've got my foot in it.

    It's just gotta get me to Carlisle and back, then I'm swapping in the used Saginaw.
    Jon J.

    1989 Daytona ES 2.4L DOHC
    2003 Neon SXT - gone but never forgotten

    If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!

  2. #22
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    I had a similar vibration under acceleration problem as you are describing. I'm 99% sure it was the inner joint that was bad. I replaced it and the problem went away. I've checked the engine centering, so I know that's right. Might be worth a double check there as well.

    I'm not exactly sure if the weights make a large difference or not. I know there are different ones. I've had axles with them and without them. I honestly can't say if they made a noticeable difference or not. Weights usually are added for dampening vibrations, so it may be worth trying to bolt one on.

  3. #23
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor supercrackerbox's Avatar
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    My remanned GKN driver's side axle sprayed grease all over the trans in my Charger as well. It seems that the steel shell wasn't tightened onto the axle stub quite enough, and the grease was leaking out there. I ended up smearing a layer of RTV on the axle to seal it in.

  4. #24
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    I'll leave this here just so others are able to tell the difference between the different types of CV shafts.

    “If the people of the nation understood our banking and monetary system, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.” -Henry Ford

  5. #25
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    this seems like the best place to ask, are these any good http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Front-D...item231dd7542b

  6. #26
    turbo addict Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    Quote Originally Posted by 86Shelby View Post
    I'll leave this here just so others are able to tell the difference between the different types of CV shafts.

    Where is this sourced from?
    Brent GREAT DEPRESSION RACING 1992 Duster 3.0T The Junkyard - MS II, OEM 10:1 -[I] Old - 11.5@125 22psi $90 [U]Stock[/U] 3.0 Junk Motor - 1 bar MAP [/I] 1994 Spirit 3.0T - 11.5@120 20 psi - Daily :eyebrows: Holset He351 -FT600 - 393whp 457ft/lb @18psi 1994 Spirit 3.0T a670 - He341, stock fuel, BEGI. Wife's into kid's project. 1990 Lebaron Coupe 2.2 TI/II non IC, a413 1990 Spirit 3.0 E.S. 41TE -- 1993 Spirit 3.0 E.S. 41TE -- 1994 Duster 3.0 A543 1981 Starlet KP61 Potential driver -- 1981 Starlet KP61 Parts -- 1983 Starlet KP61 Drag 2005 Durango Hemi Limited -- 1998 Dodge 12v 47re. AFC mods, No plate, Mack plug, Boost elbow -- 2011 Dodge 6.7 G56

  7. #27
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor supercrackerbox's Avatar
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    The pictures look like the ones in the FSM, although the "Solution" tag is not from there.

  8. #28
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    Cardone supplied the pic. I cropped it.

    http://my.cardone.com/techdocs/PT%2060-0003.pdf
    “If the people of the nation understood our banking and monetary system, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.” -Henry Ford

  9. #29
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor jonnymopar's Avatar
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    Crap, I had this all wrong. This is out of the 1989 front-wheel drive factory service manual:



    The one that I thought was the GKN was actually the ACI. I thought the GKN's were the ones with the extruded Y-shaped inner joint. Those are the axles I had on both of my non-turbo cars, so I figured they were the weaker ones. The odd thing is that I don't see Spicer listed. The outer joint on the unit that I just installed is clearly stamped SPICER on the housing. Maybe it was a replacement joint? Either way, this axle sucks so far. I'm almost tempted to replace it one more freaking time before I head west on Thursday.

    Side question: does anybody have a list of Mopar part numbers for the replacement tripods? Other than a new spring, that's all I need to get my Saginaw axle back in business. There's a bunch of different ones on ebay!
    Jon J.

    1989 Daytona ES 2.4L DOHC
    2003 Neon SXT - gone but never forgotten

    If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!

  10. #30
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor supercrackerbox's Avatar
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    I'd like to know that as well. Now that I've seen how simple they are, I'd rather rebuild my own than buy them at the parts store- assuming quality parts are easily available.

  11. #31
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    Based on that I always prefer to run ACI axles.
    Brent GREAT DEPRESSION RACING 1992 Duster 3.0T The Junkyard - MS II, OEM 10:1 -[I] Old - 11.5@125 22psi $90 [U]Stock[/U] 3.0 Junk Motor - 1 bar MAP [/I] 1994 Spirit 3.0T - 11.5@120 20 psi - Daily :eyebrows: Holset He351 -FT600 - 393whp 457ft/lb @18psi 1994 Spirit 3.0T a670 - He341, stock fuel, BEGI. Wife's into kid's project. 1990 Lebaron Coupe 2.2 TI/II non IC, a413 1990 Spirit 3.0 E.S. 41TE -- 1993 Spirit 3.0 E.S. 41TE -- 1994 Duster 3.0 A543 1981 Starlet KP61 Potential driver -- 1981 Starlet KP61 Parts -- 1983 Starlet KP61 Drag 2005 Durango Hemi Limited -- 1998 Dodge 12v 47re. AFC mods, No plate, Mack plug, Boost elbow -- 2011 Dodge 6.7 G56

  12. #32
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor jonnymopar's Avatar
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    Quote Originally Posted by Ondonti View Post
    Based on that I always prefer to run ACI axles.
    Considering your car makes about twice the power mine does, that's pretty valuable info. Again, any non-turbo car I've had used ACI axles. The Daytona, I've had good luck with the Saginaw units. Other than being a grease fountain, the ACI axle that I had in there for the past month felt great and didn't break.
    Jon J.

    1989 Daytona ES 2.4L DOHC
    2003 Neon SXT - gone but never forgotten

    If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!

  13. #33
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    While Spicer is an OEM supplier now, I don't think it was back when our cars were built. I'm pretty sure that they are a totally aftermarket replacement part.

    Just a really quick search and it seems that there are 2 grades of Spicer products: "service aka red" and "professional series aka blue". The Professional Series (blue series) is supposed to be the better of the 2.

  14. #34
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Force Fed Mopar's Avatar
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    I prefer the ACI's also. Most V6 cars use them.
    Rob M.
    '89 Turbo GTC

    2.5 TIII stroker, 568 w/ OBX and 3.77 FD

  15. #35
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    ACI axles only break the splines off which is what Driveshaft Shop axles do :P
    When I have broken ACI's they were always "deserved" because I shockloaded it. Input shaft still alive, I am happy. I don't think its possible to put down big power on the launch so its not really a power issue when I have had breaks. Its the combo of nasty clutch, rotating assembly stored energy, freakin sticky VHT prepped slicks, and then the bad driver shockloading things. It got worse for me when I went back to the stock heavy flywheel that was supposed to be for main bearing protection. If I was getting to make passes I would be practicing my smooth shockload free launches since bad launches still kill upgraded axles. Something HAS to break if your tires don't spin and you have some grunt available to put into your launch. Trying to build invincible axles and then abusing them is sorta like building a car to survive head on collisions. You should be avoiding the problem not adding more armor. The armor should be a defense for the times you screw up. Even the best axles out there fail and touring FWD drag racers always try to have spares because the turnaround is forever.

    The one non ACI I broke had the shaft fail inside the outer boot and the way it broke (crooked) you can tell it didn't even put up a fight. It had a much smaller shaft as well as looking like it was made of junk metal.
    Last edited by Ondonti; 07-09-2014 at 10:16 PM.
    Brent GREAT DEPRESSION RACING 1992 Duster 3.0T The Junkyard - MS II, OEM 10:1 -[I] Old - 11.5@125 22psi $90 [U]Stock[/U] 3.0 Junk Motor - 1 bar MAP [/I] 1994 Spirit 3.0T - 11.5@120 20 psi - Daily :eyebrows: Holset He351 -FT600 - 393whp 457ft/lb @18psi 1994 Spirit 3.0T a670 - He341, stock fuel, BEGI. Wife's into kid's project. 1990 Lebaron Coupe 2.2 TI/II non IC, a413 1990 Spirit 3.0 E.S. 41TE -- 1993 Spirit 3.0 E.S. 41TE -- 1994 Duster 3.0 A543 1981 Starlet KP61 Potential driver -- 1981 Starlet KP61 Parts -- 1983 Starlet KP61 Drag 2005 Durango Hemi Limited -- 1998 Dodge 12v 47re. AFC mods, No plate, Mack plug, Boost elbow -- 2011 Dodge 6.7 G56

  16. #36
    turbo addict Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot















    - - - Updated - - -

    I don't know what kind of axle the junker pictured above is.
    Brent GREAT DEPRESSION RACING 1992 Duster 3.0T The Junkyard - MS II, OEM 10:1 -[I] Old - 11.5@125 22psi $90 [U]Stock[/U] 3.0 Junk Motor - 1 bar MAP [/I] 1994 Spirit 3.0T - 11.5@120 20 psi - Daily :eyebrows: Holset He351 -FT600 - 393whp 457ft/lb @18psi 1994 Spirit 3.0T a670 - He341, stock fuel, BEGI. Wife's into kid's project. 1990 Lebaron Coupe 2.2 TI/II non IC, a413 1990 Spirit 3.0 E.S. 41TE -- 1993 Spirit 3.0 E.S. 41TE -- 1994 Duster 3.0 A543 1981 Starlet KP61 Potential driver -- 1981 Starlet KP61 Parts -- 1983 Starlet KP61 Drag 2005 Durango Hemi Limited -- 1998 Dodge 12v 47re. AFC mods, No plate, Mack plug, Boost elbow -- 2011 Dodge 6.7 G56

  17. #37
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Force Fed Mopar's Avatar
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    I've done the same breakage. My shaft broke on the inboard end though IIRC.
    Rob M.
    '89 Turbo GTC

    2.5 TIII stroker, 568 w/ OBX and 3.77 FD

  18. #38
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor jonnymopar's Avatar
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    Brent, the photo above where the splines all have hairline cracks in them, did you just happen to remove that axle, or were you getting vibrations? I'm surprised that happened without it fully going to hell.

    I was able to locate the correct inboard joint NOS on ebay for $35! Now I can get my good axle back in there AND have a complete spare pair. Only one problem: the spring doesn't come as part of the kit. The spring is in a half dozen pieces on mine, plus the small cup that sits on top of it is destroyed.

    Any of you guys here with broken axles (for example, the ones posted above), would any of you be willing to sell me the spring and the cup? I don't know if the spring in the other axles are the same as the Saginaw, but the spring I need is 1" outer diameter, 3" long.

    Also a side note: an imaginary person gave me some imaginary Chrysler software that allows me to look up part numbers back to 1982. If anybody wants to rebuild axles, I can help you out with part numbers. Again, there were a bunch of these on ebay.
    Jon J.

    1989 Daytona ES 2.4L DOHC
    2003 Neon SXT - gone but never forgotten

    If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!

  19. #39
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    Stripped 3rd in a523 and my cheapo autozone axles still okay fwiw

  20. #40
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    Re: GKN axle weak spot

    Quote Originally Posted by 83scamp View Post
    What you want are the Dynasty axles. Not sure why, but Chrysler made them really beefy. At least that's the scuttle I've heard...
    That's what I run in my Charger. I needed to have at least the driver side shortened a bit, I have a shop near by that rebuilds axles and they did it for me. I haven't had any issues in years.

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