is there anyway to tell which spline axles you have without pulling the axles? were there certain years the splines changed or was the difference the model of car?
73 and newer they started to use 31 splines alot on the trucks, before that is was mostly 28 spline based on my experience.
A 59 would be a 28 spline. I don't know if it is a sure fire way, but from my experience, on the hub end of the 28 spline axles, there is a recess on the axle end. On 31 splines the ends are flat with what looks like two partially drilled holes about 5/16".
31 spline were mostly in high output muscle cars until some time in the 70's they became common in 1/2 ton trucks. I think that was true for the early axles, but I have six 28 spline 9" from the 70s, they all have the 2 hole ends. They are the large diameter, then neck down at the spline end. I have one 31 spline with just a plain end. I think it was originally from an 80's van, narrowed and redrilled for the car pattern.
In 1966, the 31 spline axles were painted red on one side and green on the other on full-size cars anyway. Mine is 6 hours from me right now, or I could tell you which color is on which side.
A 59 passenger car will be 28 spline unless somebody swapped out the center section and axles.It should also have the small outer bearings! ROY.
In the OP's case, they are 28, unless they are non-OEM. Aside from that, I know of no other way but pulling them to check. I have seen at-least one example that disproves every "method" of determining from the outside, including the recess/drilled holes on the register method.
Very likely the colors would follow the international standard of Red for Port/Left and Green for Starboard/Right....... Ray
One way to identify 28 spline axle shafts can be by looking at the center brake hub area, a rectangular slot in the center will indicate 28 spline axles. The 31 spline axle shafts will have a different appearance, with one small center chamfer and two outer holes in the center hub However, 28 spline shafts can also appear like this to, so it does not always indicate 31 spline shafts. This may not be 100% but it helps and has always worked for me.
"Hello, I'm Dr. Dolittle, your brain surgeon. I will be using a procedure that I know is not always successful, but 'Hey', so far it has worked for me. Just relax, and I'll see you in Recovery.......maybe" Ray
Gimpy you are correct, I have been told one of everything about how to tell and I think it must vary from one year to the next. My early bronco 31 spline axles have the entir center of the register indented with two holes. They would have been used for locating during the machining process. I have a pair of 31 spline axles from a big block mustang in the basement (they don't belong to me so don't ask) that the is not indented at all. I like to use early bronco rearends, they are narrow and if you center the pinion up on them you only have to get one axle shortened. I have never pulled an early bronco down yet that was not 31 spline. I have also yet to pull a *dimple rearend down that was not 28 spline. That would be '57 through the early '60s. Oh while all 31 spline axles were big bearing axles many 28 spline axles are also big bearing so don't count bearing size as a way to tell. While I am thinking about it there is a wealth of 9" Ford info in this thread tons of links to follow: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367262 *See pic ['57 was the only true smooth back]
Well I learned this from a friend that was locked down for a bit, being a smartass is way better than having your ass smart.
I know a real funny joke about crack dealers and bung holes. But it is visual so I will have to tell when I see you. Maybe it is somthing I can draw.
It really isn't that hard to pull a 9" axle and look at it, 4 bolts hole the axle retainer to the housing end then you just tug, sometimes you have to use a slide hammer or a length of chain wrapped around the end of the axle and snap it the first time you pull one. It can them be slid back in no adjustment necessary. Now if it was an 8.75 Dodge it would be a different story. Way easier than brain surgery.
big bearing 2 holer and 28 splined and weirdly have two hole hubbed 31 splined shafts, with small bearings, and the register machined for 10'' drum brakes. of which I don't even know what drums I need 10 by something
Maybe I am just lucky. I wasn't aware that they came small bearing or 28 spline. Good to know now I will tell whomever to look before they buy. Thanks
well that was great! it looks like 28 splines are most common in older cars. thanks to all who helped! behold the power of the HAMB!