Here is what happens when you launch a 3 bolt too hard!

[JayRolla]

Has anyone ever broken a P/S 3-bolt rear axle? Seems every one I've seen (mine included) was the D/S.

From the broken 3 bolts ive seen its always the D/S that breaks. If fidanza or someone could make stronger rear half shafts for the 3 bolt we could just buy those instead of finding a 4 bolt at a junk yard or buying one. Then again they would be expensive.

Also you can usually buy a used shaft for around $30. I got a pair for $25.

 

[king_of_HTX]

In a plastic silver tub? j/k

 

[T9S1i]

broke my drivers side just like the OP, however i couldnt get the piece out and found a 110k 4-bolt locally for $300 withe everything needed for the swap

I think its hard to get out b/c isnt there a locking ring on the end of the axel or something? i tried a bunch of stuff and couldnt get that piece out, not to mention all the nasty metal pieces and shavings stuck in my heavy weight shock proof oil

 

[slvrstingray]

BRAVO!!! A perfect example of a torsional break! 45 degree angle! Stiffer rear springs would help....

 

[Defiant]

Lookit that. All these years, and launching still does bad things. Shocker.

 

[JayRolla]

I have stiff springs. A 4 bolt will help. I preloaded the clutch and only launced at 5500rpm's. Ive never had to get the spline out of a rear end but my mechanic has and he said its as easy as just pushing it out from the other side. He has done it many times.

I really dont want to spend more than $100 for a 4 bolt rear end because most likely they got it from a junk yard and payed $50.

Lookit that. All these years, and launching still does bad things. Shocker.

Yea and if we didnt launch it would be worse than owning a fwd or rwd. Thats what we have it for.

 

[DSM90AWD]

BRAVO!!! A perfect example of a torsional break! 45 degree angle! Stiffer rear springs would help....

Funny you say this as was exactly what RRE mentioned when I broke mine. Had just swapped from OEM springs to H&Rs (relatively soft / 2" drop) and was told that was probably now bottoming out on my launches.

Just 4-bolt it and forget it

 

[JayRolla]

Funny you say this as was exactly what RRE mentioned when I broke mine. Had just swapped from OEM springs to H&Rs (relatively soft / 2" drop) and was told that was probably now bottoming out on my launches.

Just 4-bolt it and forget it

I will, but cash is low. Im still paying off the tranny/clutch build. I used to launch it all the time before the clutch. This was my third launch on the clutch. The other two times I had a little wheel spin, and this time there was none. Just a large crack.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

I broke my 3-bolt axle in the exact same place. All you have to do is take the other axle out and knock out the broken end from the other side. Easy as pie. The only thing you have to worry about is whether or not you have damaged the spline inside the rear end. If you're getting a 4-bolt, no need to worry. Don't worry about getting the broken piece out, it will knock right out from the other side.

 

[JayRolla]

Yea I know how easy it is, thats why im replacing it for now and not getting a 4 bolt yet.

 

[99gst_racer]

JayRolla - Is your car full weight?

 

[JayRolla]

JayRolla - Is your car full weight?

Close but not quite. Empty it weighed 2880lb.

 

[spendone]

I broke my 3-bolt at the 12.0 1/4 mile runs. I couldnt get traction ot save my life and I was stuck at 12.0 for a couple weeks. I finally caught traction and the rear broke right at the line. Gotta remember though, after I put in the 4-bolt with drag radials the car was getting 1.50 60's.

 

[99gst_racer]

Are the non-lsd 3-bolts more prone to breaking than the LSD 3-bolts?

 

[goldenTSI]

It looks like someone was trying to show off in front of his friends......i got a fidanza blahblahblah... How cool are you know that the world knows jayrolla........if only I had recorded the noise that axle mad.....it funny in a scary way.

 

[JayRolla]

shut up Golden. He was there when I did it. He was next to the car and I was trying to show off just a little I guess.

 

[spendone]

Are the non-lsd 3-bolts more prone to breaking than the LSD 3-bolts?

My 3 bolt was a LSd and so is my 4 bolt thats in the car now. Obviously the 3-bolt went at 12.0 and the 4-bolt is still running strong.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

I broke both of mine (P/S and D/S). If you do replace it, be sure to drop the rear diff carrier so you can clean out the tiny metal bits that fell into the diff. Clean out really good (degreaser) rotate the gears fully both ways, let it dry, and put new fluid in.

 

[JayRolla]

I broke both of mine (P/S and D/S). If you do replace it, be sure to drop the rear diff carrier so you can clean out the tiny metal bits that fell into the diff. Clean out really good (degreaser) rotate the gears fully both ways, let it dry, and put new fluid in.

Did you break both shafts at the same time or seperate times.

 

[phillabaum03]

I broke the passengers side one.. woo hooo

<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/phillabaum03/winter%2007/?action=view&current=S6301524.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/phillabaum03/winter%2007/S6301524.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[JayRolla]

That is actually good to know, I picked up both so I have an extra one if needed.

 

[Nvisabl]

Perhaps just broke the shaft?

$60 30 min fix

Not likely those breaks tend to be the differential binding. Center section is 90% probable Broken.


TIME for a 4 Bolt

Dj

 

[JayRolla]

Not likely those breaks tend to be the differential binding. Center section is 90% probable Broken.


TIME for a 4 Bolt

Dj

I dont agree, mechanic has seen this type of break over 10 times all replaced. Center section was not damaged on any of the diffs. He runs jackstransmissions.com so he has seen his share of 3 bolt rear shaft failures.

 

[Nvisabl]

I dont agree, mechanic has seen this type of break over 10 times all replaced. Center section was not damaged on any of the diffs. He runs jackstransmissions.com so he has seen his share of 3 bolt rear shaft failures.

I have broke 5 personally and all 5 looked just like that and all 3 destroyed center section. It was said and I didn't disagree try an axle. Worst it can do is cost you $60.00

Ofcourse you can always test the rear end to see.

Goodluck

 

[JayRolla]

Hmm thats good info. From how he explained it, the center diff stays unharmed 90% of the time. Well like you said I hope its an easy fix, wish me luck.