31 spline TA axles- studs
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I have them. My trailing arm bearing assemblies where built by Tom's Differentials when he was still in Bellflower, Ca. I opted for the standard 7/16" inch studs. I think the reason was to avoid hassle with selecting wheels.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,018
Likes: 2,262
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Yep...I used 1/2" in mine and have worked them hard over the years with slicks, a clutch and wheelies!
No reason not to use them...just drill out the rotor to match and you're in business.
JIM
No reason not to use them...just drill out the rotor to match and you're in business.
JIM
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,018
Likes: 2,262
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Jim, you have put your IRS and outer axles through more abuse than most ever will. So, I have no doubt about these axles, never did actually. I have to match a few rotors to the 31's next.
Some of the other "race" axles on the market will not hold up as the Tom's axles do. Some claim their 17 spline axles will handle 600hp, not happening, yet they sell them every day.
Some of the other "race" axles on the market will not hold up as the Tom's axles do. Some claim their 17 spline axles will handle 600hp, not happening, yet they sell them every day.
But you know what? After breaking a lot of other stuff.... I haven't had to touch that Dana 60 IRS, 3.5"x .134" halfshafts with solid 1480 Spicer's, the Tom's outer stubs, the 2-3/4" driveshaft with .134" wall tubing and solid Spicer 1350's since putting it under there. Well...actually after the first year of racing I changed all the U-joints as a precaution...but since then they've remained for years.
Same with the GF5R transmission. I was running a street version Doug Nash 5 speed which was great....but once HP got up there it would sheer the teeth off 3rd gear every time I went to the strip. That gets expensive. I haven't touched the G-Force since installation other than to swap gear ratios around a couple of times in it.
There comes a point where building a little "overkill" into something is a good idea.
As a buddy of mine often says..."It doesn't cost any more to go First Class...you just can't go as often!".
JIM
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Notice the stainless steel brake lines to the caliper. Custom made by InLine Tube. I fabricated them in 3/16 inch double flared copper lines.....sent them to InLine, they laser scanned them.....and duplicated them in stainless steel with SS fittings.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Aug 7, 2022 at 03:21 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
About the question as to whether I have 17 or 31 spline half axles. It appears you can tell just by external observation, without disassembling parts. In my photos in post #10, look at the circular flanges on the differential side yokes and the trailing arm spindle flange. Notice the flanges are circular with 8 mounting holes and the flanges themselves have a machined finish. These are similar to the flanges shown in the OP with 31 splines. The factory pieces were castings with only 4 fastening holes. Also, I don't think Tom put his Kick *** logo on the factory OEM 17 spline half axles, the logos went on the real McCoy 31 spline axles custom made for Tom..
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Yes, I agree that certainly looks like the 1350 inner flange, makes sense.
A lot of the outer axles were shipped without the decal for years, they are putting them on the inners again.
Tom also had a 17-spline inner with flange, that would look just like the 30-spline inner. I never used one and don't know if they even have them anymore.
Are you running solid joints, I can't see but they have the blue rings?
The parts look good. Some of those are long gone now. One thing, if you have the diff apart is to check the face hardness, Tom didn't harden the tips and the same issue GM had with the stock 70-79 axles is present. I hardened every Tom axle I ever installed.
A lot of the outer axles were shipped without the decal for years, they are putting them on the inners again.
Tom also had a 17-spline inner with flange, that would look just like the 30-spline inner. I never used one and don't know if they even have them anymore.
Are you running solid joints, I can't see but they have the blue rings?
The parts look good. Some of those are long gone now. One thing, if you have the diff apart is to check the face hardness, Tom didn't harden the tips and the same issue GM had with the stock 70-79 axles is present. I hardened every Tom axle I ever installed.