[christover1]

I have noticed the rear Vitara LWB axles are only thicker upto where the splines are.
Tapering off to the exact same splines as the SWB
Wheel bearing area is the same size,
and spline area is same size as the SWB.

I'll be using SWB axles for a while,
as my LWB axle has a twisted spline. (see pic)

As they only ever seem to break or twist at the spline,
is there any real advantage in the LWB axles.
I'll collect up spares, but should I be hunting for more LWB axles as spares?

[buzbox]

Lucky this didn't happen.

LWB + Minispool + trailer + 20kg of ice and 4 days of supplies =

[christover1]

It only busted on one end, why worry

I think that may have happened to me, if I hadn't noticed.
Lucky I had the diff drain plug issue,
or I would not have known.

It definately busted at the spline then.

Wonder if a SWB axle would have more give in it.

[got_bar_work]

Swb ones would be stronger if there in no taper as the twist will happen over like a foot where the lwb they twist at the spline and just twist it off
I did heaps so i got calmini ones and havent had a problem since

[atari4x4]

both SV LWB & SWB axles taper down like the SE LWB ones

[christover1]

got_bar_work wrote:

Swb ones would be stronger if there in no taper as the twist will happen over like a foot where the lwb they twist at the spline and just twist it off
I did heaps so i got calmini ones and havent had a problem since

I have been considering that option, but wasn't possible in time for Robe trip.
Found a few negatives from Sierra owners,
but not found much feedback from Vitara owners.

Maybe when I get back I will do it

I had same thoughts on the taper thing, but don't have engineering knowledge

[DarkHorse]

Here's my Calmini axle

Was like this when I bought it used (was originally in RIKSTRs comp truck) and has been running fine ever since, so they must be pretty tough to keep going with a twist like that in it. Pretty sure a few others have been running them twisted too.

[christover1]

Mine may have lasted years, who knows,
but it would have bugged me all the way to Beachport knowing it was there.
Its wheelbearing wasn't real good, either.

Twist is fine, won't see that,
its boom bang cruch stop working I'd like to avoid.

Calmini axles will mean another loan against the pension,
so will research real long before deciding.

Its that or stocking up on a lot of spares

[DarkHorse]

It's a big bugger of a bit to be carting around multiple spares!

[christover1]

Only going carry one set, till I have good ones fitted.
Though a spare set could be wise on a Simpson Desert type trip.
But yes, too much weight caqrried can cause issues, as well

[shandy92]

i had a feeling that the lwb axle was stronger as it was thinker before it began to taper down?

would it be possible for joeblow or twinsticks to make some for us? considering the calamari axle dont have the greatest reputation.

[got_bar_work]

Would be easer to get joe to make u full floater kit
And would be 2x as strong
The flange at the end is the hard bit

[Highway-Star]

christover1 wrote:

I have noticed the rear Vitara LWB axles are only thicker upto where the splines are.
Tapering off to the exact same splines as the SWB
Wheel bearing area is the same size,
and spline area is same size as the SWB.

I'll be using SWB axles for a while,
as my LWB axle has a twisted spline. (see pic)

As they only ever seem to break or twist at the spline,
is there any real advantage in the LWB axles.
I'll collect up spares, but should I be hunting for more LWB axles as spares?

The larger diameter of the LWB shaft is probably there to take extra load (heavier car). Because they are semi floating axles the shaft is also under a bending load (as well as the necessary rotational load of providing drive).
Even though Suzuki felt it necesary to thicken for the heavier car, I would be alarmed if a SWB shaft failed on you purely by the extra weight while running it short term (long term / over the life of a car it may present issues). If you are able to get one types spline to twist though, I'd say both types will be more or less equally easily twisted.

[christover1]

Good points. Wasn't thinking about lengthways bending.

[christover1]

The weight difference between axles was amazing.
Didn't put them on scales, but the lwb axle was much heavier to pick up.

I'm giving the swb axles a try, their splines and bearings were better.

I should be able to go faster now then

I'll report back here with any plusses or negatives.

Found some more spare axles, just hope I never need them.