What makes half shafts live?

[key]

I've been reading about softer sidewall tires (i.e. ET streets and slicks) and how they can make the half shafts live longer. It got me to wondering how many guys are running the softer tires successfully without issues, and how many have ran DR's and broken shafts.

Answer the poll and then response with what mods you have done on the IRS and whether or not you've broken shafts.

 

[85FourEyedGT]

ive got a bf irs brace and 28 inch tall hoosier slicks, have dumped at 5k with no issues

wheel hop is the fastest killer of your half shafts

The softer sidewall of a slick also absorbs most of the impact from the launch, with a hard sidewall drag radial, all that energy goes straight to your halfshafts which is how they break

so stay away from hard sidewalls and wheelhop

 

[Posi]

The correct answer really isn't on there in no offense.

To make an halfshaft live you need as much sidewall as you can get to help absorb the shock on launch. Then also make sure it hooks. You let an IRS hop at the track on any tire and it'll break pretty much. With a tall sidewall and it hooking most run some pretty impressive times.

 

[key]

None taken! Just looking for as much info as I can get. Thanks.

 

[HEMIHUNTER]

Yep, sidewalls are your friend

 

[VirtualSVT]

animal sacrifice.

 

[Posi]

None taken! Just looking for as much info as I can get. Thanks.

:beer:

More members I'm sure will chime in but that's the basic rule of thumb IMO.

 

[85FourEyedGT]

The correct answer really isn't on there in no offense.

To make an halfshaft live you need as much sidewall as you can get to help absorb the shock on launch. Then also make sure it hooks. You let an IRS hop at the track on any tire and it'll break pretty much. With a tall sidewall and it hooking most run some pretty impressive times.

yep, exactly why i run the 28 inch tall tires

 

[Jimmysidecarr]

I think the question should be "what makes a half shaft DIE???

ANSWER: Wheel Hop.

What makes wheel hop?
Answer: lots of things combined

If I could only change one thing to eliminate wheel hop, what would it be?
Answer: There isn't one thing.

Maybe ,and I MEAN A BIG MAYBE... Tires.

 

[IronTerp]

Slicks make half shafts live. Drag radials are half shaft killers. Broke 2 with MT Street Radials. Luckily, I alwasy take a spare to the track and just switched them out. Upgraded to slicks two years ago and have had no wheel hop or issues with half shafts since.

 

[Jimmysidecarr]

Slicks make half shafts live. Drag radials are half shaft killers. Broke 2 with MT Street Radials. Luckily, I alwasy take a spare to the track and just switched them out. Upgraded to slicks two years ago and have had no wheel hop or issues with half shafts since.

My name is Jimmysidecarr and I approve this message! :rockon:

 

[black99lightnin]

If you want your axles to lIve long happy lives you must water them daily and trim them in the spring.

 

[SeankySnake]

Here is the answer to keeping OEM shafts alive.

-Bruce's Complete kit
-ET Streets or slick, a tall sidewall is your friend
-Adjustable rear shocks
-IRS Brace
-And learning to leave the right way, not dumping the clutch

 

[SeankySnake]

If you want your axles to lIve long happy lives you must water them daily and trim them in the spring.

:lol:

 

[KINGCOBRA86]

Here is the answer to keeping OEM shafts alive.

-Bruce's Complete kit
-ET Streets or slick, a tall sidewall is your friend
-Adjustable rear shocks
-IRS Brace
-And learning to leave the right way, not dumping the clutch

x1 ^^^:rockon:

 

[x NOODLES x]

-And learning to leave the right way, not dumping the clutch

MANY will disagree with this one. :read:

 

[SeankySnake]

MANY will disagree with this one. :read:

I agree, but it really comes down to your suspension setup, engine combo and what tire and size you are running. I personally have never ran a good time by dumping the clutch.

 

[04cobra13]

never broke a half shaft on my nitto drag radials, but never just dumped it real hard on a launch,just kinda of ride it till it grabs . also i believe a softer sidewall tire will greatly reduce the chances of breaking a halfshaft. Also if it hops stop!

 

[IronTerp]

I agree, but it really comes down to your suspension setup, engine combo and what tire and size you are running. I personally have never ran a good time by dumping the clutch.

What kind of 60' times are you running?

 

[SeankySnake]

What kind of 60' times are you running?

On 26x10.5's ET Streets resulting in the 1.62-1.55 range, still needing more seat time though.