14 Bolt semi-floater vs. full-floater questions?

[Emmettology 101]

How many 14SF c-clips/axleshaft ends have been broken by the folks on this board, not including failures induced by other components failing first? (or any other place where the failures are mentioned)

Serious question, I don't see the C-clip issue being relative. I've been accused of inciting haten before, I'm seriously not trying to get tempers riled up. Just trying to figure out if c-clip failure is an actual valid concern for MOST usage. The failure rates of the c-clip seem VERY uncommon, even with the guys that are pushing their 10 bolts to the limit all the time. May break axleshafts regularly, but I don't hear of the C-clip failures.

I'm sure it does happen, I'm not questioning that, but I have a feeling there are just as many 14FF axleshaft failure examples as there are c-clip failures. I totally understand all the benefits of strength (and potential safety) the 14FF offers, I just don't know that for most it really is an issue. Lots of folks just go straight to 1 ton stuf anyways, so the failure of the lighter stuff may be somewhat inaccurate if it isn't used until broken.

I just can't recall an example (from the amount of time I've been on this board) of the c-clip being the sole cause of a problem.

As a design function, at any time, (sidehilling), only one c-clip would be under stress. The other side would be pushing an axleshaft end against the pinion shaft.

DOnt know if this was directed at me, but I am for him using the 14SF... I dont necessarily see the need to jump straight to 1 ton either unless you have it laying around or easy access to them. I've pushed my 12 bolts pretty hard in the past without failure... Broke 10 bolts before though. Never a c-clip... Shannon campbell competed in ARCA with his jeep on a 10bolt and 12 bolt wih 37" MTR's. There was an article on him where his father said he ran the axles for 7 years without a rear axle failure. Granted he had a jeep that was probably lighter than a K5, but he pushes his rigs pretty hard and looks to be throttle happy!

 

[dyeager535]

Yeah that's the thing...I mean those axleshaft ends have to see a lot of pressure in certain situations, even with a stock K5 sidehilling.

Theoretically, if the vehicle never got a wheel off the ground (which is pretty normal for a majority of folks) the c-clips would very rarely see a load...unless the tires lost traction, one can't move one direction opposite the other.

 

[Emmettology 101]

Yeah that's the thing...I mean those axleshaft ends have to see a lot of pressure in certain situations, even with a stock K5 sidehilling.

Theoretically, if the vehicle never got a wheel off the ground (which is pretty normal for a majority of folks) the c-clips would very rarely see a load...unless the tires lost traction, one can't move one direction opposite the other.

Ya. I think it more boils down to shaft diameter and strength..