Question on 14bolt rears

[Monster]

Is there a big difference in strength between a 14 bolt full floating rear or the 14 bolt semi floating rear.

 

[Michk5]

Well first off the ring gear is 10.5 on the FF and only 9.5 on the SF. I can't imagine a reason to run the SF when the FF are a dime a dozen. Just my .02--Matt

 

[Shaggy]

<font color="green"> There's a big difference, not only in the size of the ring gear but just due to the nature of a semifloating vs a full floating axle. On a SF the axleshaft transfers power to the wheel and also supports the weight of the truck via a small roller bearing between the shaft and the axle housing. On a FF the weight of the truck is supported by a hub and spindle assembly just like on a front axle, so all the axleshaft has to do is transfer power to the wheels. More parts, but the FF is a much stronger axle because of it. </font>

 

[Confedneck]

also, if you break an axle shaft with a ff you can keep driving and the axle will stay in, as where with a cclip axle it will not..

 

[Shaggy]

[ QUOTE ]
also, if you break an axle shaft with a ff you can keep driving and the axle will stay in, as where with a cclip axle it will not..

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="green"> Which is just a nice side effect of the FF design, and really has nothing to do with strength. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif</font>

 

[K5MONSTERCHEV]

arent axles bigger too!

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Possibly, but less spline count. I am not sure of the size of the axle shafts on the SF 14, but they're 33 spline vs. 30. Either way, the design makes the 14 FF much stronger.

 

[K5MONSTERCHEV]

My ff has 33 spline shafts.