Posted by Peter Sprouse on May 30, 1999 at 19:50:18:
In Reply to: Re: PW wheels posted by Charlie on May 29, 1999 at 22:52:18:
Charlie says "I think 40-41" tires are the safe limit for the Dodge axle half-shafts". Axle shafts break like pretzels in PW's even with small tires. My last one snapped pulling out from a stop sign in Mexico. The broken stub twisted off in the third member and couldn't be removed without disassembly. Fortunately, due to my past experiences with ring and pinion disintegration I had brought a complete third member assembly along, so 4 hours later we were on the road again. Axle shafts are the drive line weak point, someone needs to remaunfacture some superior ones. We are going to run out of parts trucks at some point.
I noticed while inspecting an axle shaft recently that it is possible to detect upcoming axle failure. You can see casting lines on the axle shaft if you look closely. If these are twisting around the shaft, it's winding up for a break and should be replaced. Or you could drive backwards until it straightens out again!