5 replies to this topic

[ChrisA]

Anyone know how long the half-shafts are? Haven't pulled mine yet, so can't measure them. Going to send them out to be serviced and figured I'd keep an eye out boxes.

[callumhay]

The axles are about 29.5 inches long. I got mine back from Gator axles in boxes about 31 by 5 inches square. To ship them there, I found some polystyrene and cut a box to shape around each axle. My back up plan was to see if they would fit in big bore PVC pipe but likely cost more to ship. In terms of popping them out of the diff, (if you don't have a technique already) I lightly tapped a hand size hatchet into the space between the diff and axle to seat it, then used a hammer to hit the side of the hatchet blade to lateralize the axle out worked good for me.

Good luck
Cal

[Danica Davison]

I would say the average half-shaft is about 2 inches on a good day

[Tom Hampton]

speak for yourself.

[Brandon]

I used the FedEx shipping triangle boxes (their FREE!!) cut down to the proper length and then made a single package of the "pair" to ship to Gator.

There's a weight limit for using their rapid (non-ground) services and taping all four together would have made the single package too heavy.

 

Using these boxes, however, obligates you to use something other than ground to ship (2-day or faster I believe) and if memory serves, from north NJ to Gator, the total shipping for both of my 2-axle packages was $60-65. Ground would have been a lot cheaper but between FedEx being efficient and Gator even more so, I shipped them out on Monday and had four rebuilt axles back by Friday!

[ChrisA]

Thanks guys, I had measured 27" from diff to end of axle, but had no idea how much was in the diff. Brandon, thanks for tip about FedEx triangle boxes. Also, good to know Gator has a quick turn around. How do you feel about their workmanship? I'll give them a call to find out whether to send before or after the holidays.

 

Also, any other tips/methods on pulling the axles safely from the diff?