FU&%$#@ halfshafts!
10-09-2011, 09:18 AM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
FU&%$#@ halfshafts!
So far im on my 4th halfshaft. i have bought remanufactured ones, and brand news ones, and the boot keeps ripping in the same place on each one. Nothing is touching it at all, the boot is nice and rubbery still (not dry and cracked)
Ive heard the rebuild ones are crap, but I thought new would be good. I changed out the stockers because 1 was popping long ago, but never had a boot rip...
i imagine you guys here eat through parts quick with racing...are there better hardened ones out there?
Ive heard the rebuild ones are crap, but I thought new would be good. I changed out the stockers because 1 was popping long ago, but never had a boot rip...
i imagine you guys here eat through parts quick with racing...are there better hardened ones out there?
10-09-2011, 11:55 AM
#2
Only buy the oem GM ones. I have put 3 others in and all 3 failed on track in less than 1 trackday. Others have experienced similar. Why is it so hard to get a boot to fit? I think maybe there is lots of play left right to the shaft as we drive. The aftermarket boot is too tight and pops off or rips. They look great in your hand but fail dynamically. If you really have problems I would find a wrecked car with 20k miles and use a used proven one.
10-09-2011, 02:43 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
Only buy the oem GM ones. I have put 3 others in and all 3 failed on track in less than 1 trackday. Others have experienced similar. Why is it so hard to get a boot to fit? I think maybe there is lots of play left right to the shaft as we drive. The aftermarket boot is too tight and pops off or rips. They look great in your hand but fail dynamically. If you really have problems I would find a wrecked car with 20k miles and use a used proven one.
10-09-2011, 05:16 PM
#4
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Deal's Gap 2004 NCM Motorsports track supporter
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I don't know if it really helps but I put a tie wrap loosely around the midsection of each one to stop centrifugal force from full '***** out' type stretch after reading about the tip here on the forum. So far no problems.
10-09-2011, 11:32 PM
#5
Drifting
I can now change a half shaft in less than 18 minutes...........timed it IN THE DARK parked outside the racetrack at Heartland Park earlier this year........put in a reman we picked up at OReillys that evening, installed it in the parking lot as we couldn't get in on Thursday evening and promptly blew it apart during our first practice session.
The 'rebuilt' ones have soft boots and swell under high speed (blew TWO on the dyno)......frequently catching the shock mount on our Penskes. The rebuilt ones also have boots that aren't 'tapered' like the stock GM ones. I was surprised at how stiff the boots on the GMs were when I compared the two.
They are pricey but go with the GM units.........if you want some great used ones.......call Colton at www.corvetterecycling.com
example......... http://www.corvetterecycling.com/product_p/10311201.htm
The 'rebuilt' ones have soft boots and swell under high speed (blew TWO on the dyno)......frequently catching the shock mount on our Penskes. The rebuilt ones also have boots that aren't 'tapered' like the stock GM ones. I was surprised at how stiff the boots on the GMs were when I compared the two.
They are pricey but go with the GM units.........if you want some great used ones.......call Colton at www.corvetterecycling.com
example......... http://www.corvetterecycling.com/product_p/10311201.htm
Last edited by CP Thunder; 10-09-2011 at 11:40 PM.
10-10-2011, 12:19 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
I can now change a half shaft in less than 18 minutes...........timed it IN THE DARK parked outside the racetrack at Heartland Park earlier this year........put in a reman we picked up at OReillys that evening, installed it in the parking lot as we couldn't get in on Thursday evening and promptly blew it apart during our first practice session.
The 'rebuilt' ones have soft boots and swell under high speed (blew TWO on the dyno)......frequently catching the shock mount on our Penskes. The rebuilt ones also have boots that aren't 'tapered' like the stock GM ones. I was surprised at how stiff the boots on the GMs were when I compared the two.
They are pricey but go with the GM units.........if you want some great used ones.......call Colton at www.corvetterecycling.com
example......... http://www.corvetterecycling.com/product_p/10311201.htm
The 'rebuilt' ones have soft boots and swell under high speed (blew TWO on the dyno)......frequently catching the shock mount on our Penskes. The rebuilt ones also have boots that aren't 'tapered' like the stock GM ones. I was surprised at how stiff the boots on the GMs were when I compared the two.
They are pricey but go with the GM units.........if you want some great used ones.......call Colton at www.corvetterecycling.com
example......... http://www.corvetterecycling.com/product_p/10311201.htm
119, not bad! considering the other ones are the same price
10-12-2011, 01:15 AM
#8
Burning Brakes
Are you guys reducing the air left inside the boots? The air expands and blows the boot when it gets hot.
When you put the half shaft into the differential, be sure to push it all the way in at first, make sure it is locked, then push it in again. Now install the boot compressing the bellows as you install the lip and hold it in until it is tied down. This reduces the open area of the boot, ie the air. Now open it to its normal distance and you'll notice the boot isn't as big. This works for me in Arizona. Good luck!
I got a couple GM used half shafts in the box I can sell.
When you put the half shaft into the differential, be sure to push it all the way in at first, make sure it is locked, then push it in again. Now install the boot compressing the bellows as you install the lip and hold it in until it is tied down. This reduces the open area of the boot, ie the air. Now open it to its normal distance and you'll notice the boot isn't as big. This works for me in Arizona. Good luck!
I got a couple GM used half shafts in the box I can sell.
Last edited by 96solo; 10-12-2011 at 01:18 AM.
10-15-2011, 09:21 PM
#10
Drifting
A friend wants to go dragracing tomorrow and noticed the drivers side boot is spitting grease. Is there a risk to driving it at the track for the day? He's worried about the shaft failing and crashing, is there a sign of a failing cv joint?
