wizzo
Well-Known Member
After breaking a few stock 14 bolt shafts, I decided I wanted to invest in some quality shafts rather than just keep throwing money at junk yard shafts. I was buy pairs for $100, you do that a few times and it starts adding up. Obviously there are many after market shaft options available but I wanted to go with a shaft that I felt like would last me a long time and that I felt like the manufacturer had done their homework. If you are not familiar with the name Mark Williams go here and look around: http://www.markwilliams.com I'm not sure how Andrew talked Mark into building product for him but the end result is VERY nice.
I started talking with Andrew about which shafts to go with. I ruled out 40 spline at both ends b/c I am not interested in putting new spindles in a GM 14 bolt stock housing. So my dilemma was between 35 and GM 30 spline at the carrier. I knew that I would be adding one of his full spools at some point b/c my stock carrier is warped and the gear pattern doesn't run true. But if I could get away with not having to do everything at once, that would help my bank account. After talking I decided to go with the GM 30 spline b/c it is actually stronger than the spicer 35 spline. This has to do with pressure angles and the size of the GM 30 spline shaft.
You can read more about the pressure agle topic and Mark Williams shafts in general here: https://www.markwilliams.com/axle-txt.aspx
First, the packaging is awesome. It is nice when you spend money to not have the part show up on your door step damaged b/c the manufacturer didn't really care how it showed up to you. Shafts are not loose int he box, they are divided by foam.
You can see here that the shafts are 40 spline at the flange. All of 40spline.com's shafts start out with bar stock large enough for 40 spline shafts. They are machined down from there allowing you to have the strongest possible shaft.
Install of the shafts went as expected. Nice tight fit at the carrier. Took a little tap with a rubber hammer to fully seat the shafts. As you can see no fancy hardware required to install these shafts.
For someone who wants the best quality shaft, that they can remove the stock shafts and bolt in the new, this is a great way to go. No fuss, just install and NEVER LIFT!
I started talking with Andrew about which shafts to go with. I ruled out 40 spline at both ends b/c I am not interested in putting new spindles in a GM 14 bolt stock housing. So my dilemma was between 35 and GM 30 spline at the carrier. I knew that I would be adding one of his full spools at some point b/c my stock carrier is warped and the gear pattern doesn't run true. But if I could get away with not having to do everything at once, that would help my bank account. After talking I decided to go with the GM 30 spline b/c it is actually stronger than the spicer 35 spline. This has to do with pressure angles and the size of the GM 30 spline shaft.
You can read more about the pressure agle topic and Mark Williams shafts in general here: https://www.markwilliams.com/axle-txt.aspx
First, the packaging is awesome. It is nice when you spend money to not have the part show up on your door step damaged b/c the manufacturer didn't really care how it showed up to you. Shafts are not loose int he box, they are divided by foam.
You can see here that the shafts are 40 spline at the flange. All of 40spline.com's shafts start out with bar stock large enough for 40 spline shafts. They are machined down from there allowing you to have the strongest possible shaft.
Install of the shafts went as expected. Nice tight fit at the carrier. Took a little tap with a rubber hammer to fully seat the shafts. As you can see no fancy hardware required to install these shafts.
For someone who wants the best quality shaft, that they can remove the stock shafts and bolt in the new, this is a great way to go. No fuss, just install and NEVER LIFT!