shortening axles

Hey.
I am running a type 4 in my 718 project. With the 901 sideshift transaxle the axles need to be shortened by 2.5 inches. Does anyone have experience doing this ???. Any tips or tricks would be appreciated. Took them to a local machinist(I'm in Ontario Canada) and the guy didn't say it can't be done, just not by him. My theory was to just have the length taken out of the shaft, circle weld or sleeve the thing and be done with it. Yes, No ??

Thanks; Rodger

The right and elegant way to do this is with a press. Whack the axle to length, press on new splines, re-harden and VIOLA, you're back in business! Cutting the axle down and re-welding is actually very difficult, you have to make it strong and straight which is a challenge welding a round solid object. Possible, but definately hard.

But here's another idea that we used with the 901 sideshift transaxle. 901 usings type 1 CV's if you drill/tap for bolt #5 and #6. Now you are using six bolts instead of four. Much better. Most of the flanges already have a hole, just not threads for this. As type 1 axles find their way to many places, there are many lengths available through Swayaway. We ordered a set for ours that are a standard length (for sway-away) and they work great. Swayaway can also make any custom length you need.

angela

Thanks Angela. I actually am doing something similar to the setup you have on your 550. I just didn't see what you had done with the axles. The fixed tube over will be similar but I am going to have it fixed to the hubs by a plate that I can shim for camber as well as castor. If pressing will create the spline and then I just reharden it that should work. I'll just have to figure out how much play there should be where the joint at the axle joins and it should work out. I will get the axles back tomorrow and try a different approach. These cars are dilemma management to say the least, but seeing the creativity of others is definitely inspiring. Thanks again; Rodger

Rodger, if/when you figure out a way to make the toe adjustable at the rear, please let me know. We have more toe-in than we need.

Sure be nice if swayaway or someone else who makes axles can give you an off-the-shelf part. angela

Angela, that part I already have figured out, I was just hoping for a quick fix on the axle shortening part of the deal. You appear to have basically hub splines that have been plasma cut from a 914 swing axle mounted to trailing arms etc... What I will do is instead of having the tube axle welded directly to the spline hub like you do is put a vertical collar around the hub housing with 4 mount holes in it and have the tube over your tranny join to it with a seperate plate. Shim the top and bottom bolts for camber, and set the toe by shimming front or rear. Voila. Once I get these axles shortened up I will send some pics. When I first saw yours I wondered if they had just dead squared it and hoped for the best.

Rodger

hi roger my name is manfred meissner- i am new to this site and happy to have found you, been in ontario[i am in toronto]at this time i am close to finish a 718 of unknown maker,so i would like to meet you+ see your car as well,if it is not inconvenient.my car is sitting on a short vw 64 beetle pan,has kingpin- dropspindles[2-2/1"]and a standart type 3 engine 1500ccm! now all in primer but running.please give a call or messege e-mailthank you mery christmas manfred

hi roger Ps.manfred meissner :cell 4168571519 home 4167634981

hi 2 sorry for misspelling your name rodger

I have a friend here in PA (Lincoln Way Machine) that has been shortening dirt track race car axles for decades without a single failure, if interested email me and I will get you contact info.   Alan drclcokATpa.net 

I’m hoping this answer doesn’t come too late. (This modification is from days gone by).

 

But Sway-A-Way makes a conversation axle for putting a VW bus 002 or 091 transmission into a bug. http://www.swayaway.com/Axles.php Part Nos. 2015 and 2415

 

- The axles supplied in the kit are 15.625” long, a bugs axles are 16.25”. The axles come in VW spline sections with 2.375” long splines or Porsche 930 at 3” long spline sections.

 

This is the saving grace, if your car has 930’s or type 2 CV’s, they unplug farther (push in and come out more, additionally they articulate more before binding). With these axles you can cut a 1.2” off the end of the axle (930’s) and just regrove the end with a band saw. Remember the axle never breaks behind the CV and it won’t pop out of the CV even if you only put one clip on the axle. Also remember, the axle floats back an forth, centers itself and in a street car you’re not going to have that great of wheel movement.

 

You’ve now got an axle 2”+ shorter for $300.00 dollars…, or your can have a custom set made up for $825.00, your call.

 

David

David- Is that 1/2" or 1.2" off each end of the Porsche axle?

Basically, cut the 15.625" short 930 axle down by 0.9375" on both ends to make it 13.75" (16.25 - 2.5) and cut new outer clip grooves at their normal distance from the ends. Still leaves you with about 2" of spline on each end. That's plenty of spline length to still allow the full suspension travel you're likely to have. Does require 930 CV joints at both ends though.

Thanks for the info!

if you are using T1 CV's - the type 3 automatic passenger axle is the shortest.  i ordered two of these for my narrowed rear end.